U.S. President Barack Obama says a new job training initiative will help thousands of people gain the necessary qualifications for manufacturing jobs.

During his weekly address Saturday, Mr. Obama says the government is partnering with colleges and the private sector so 500,000 community college students can acquire approved credentials for manufacturing .

The president also says the government is investing in solar and wind power and biofuels to lower the country's dependency of foreign oil and generate new jobs.

Mr. Obama travels to North Carolina Monday to meet with his JobsCouncil on spurring job growth, especially among middle-class citizens hit hard by the job downturn.

In the Republican weekly address,Congressman Adam Kinzinger of Illinois says the president's policies have stifled job growth.

Representative Kinzinger says his party is committed to reeling in government spending and reducing the country's debt to spur job growth.