The U.S. risks missing innovation opportunities if it doesn’t move to a “revolutionized higher education system” to better prepare workers, Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio is expected to say in a speech Tuesday in Chicago.

“Only through an innovative economy can we translate new technologies into new middle class jobs,” the Florida senator will say, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks.

Rubio, 44, is scheduled to deliver a speech on the 21^st Century job market at 1871, a technology incubation hub inside the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago, before heading to Iowa for three days of campaigning in the lead-off caucus state.