U.S. President Barack Obama says America can “win the future” by rebuilding its manufacturing sector.

Mr. Obama spoke Wednesday after visiting an automotive training center at a community college in Virginia, outside Washington.

Mr. Obama said a slow economic recovery has left too many Americans out of work, and he called on lawmakers and industries to support programs that promote training in manufacturing.

He also said private businesses, industry groups and schools need to expand their efforts to link skilled workers with existing jobs waiting to be filled.

His comments come after a series of economic reports and a rising unemployment rate cast doubts about the U.S. economic recovery.

The U.S. unemployment rate edged higher in May, to 9.1 percent, and the Labor Department said some of the jobs cut were in manufacturing.

The president said the initiatives he highlighted Wednesday could help prepare 500,000 community college students for careers in manufacturing.