Schools had shop classes back in my day. Most of the guys who took those classes would get after school jobs in those areas. I know that many skilled trades are looking for workers. The tech schools are looking for students. Yet they can't seem to get them due to the focus on college and the easy money graduates make. Now don't write and tell me stories of how you have to work very hard for your $20,000 to 35,000 job. I know the statistics only too well. Yet that is the high school students perception. Of course the reality is that someone who learns a trade is more likely to start making annual incomes above $50,000. Of course this does include over time in many cases. So I think its great that there is at least one alternative track for those students who choose to take it. Mike Fratto Payne Phalen
>>> Tim Erickson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 06/02/2004 12:08:20 PM >>> Last week, we were involved in a discussion about Job Shadowing programs in St. Paul High Schools. Today, I read that St. Paul high schools are actually implementing a program that "will start churning out certified young mechanics." According to the article, "It's all part of a push by the auto industry, school districts and technical colleges to pull more promising students into an increasingly high-tech career, educators say." Now, I suspect - that this is probably a worthwhile program and the "Automotive Service Center" has been there for 30 years. But, I can't help but wonder about the implications of using our public school system as an industry training program. Let me be clear, I'm undecided on this issue and eager to hear what others have to say. In Germany (and I think other European countries) this is very common. It has drawbacks, but also very real benefits for some students. I'm not even sure that this is NEW to our schools. Anyone have any comments? -------------------------------------------------- St. Paul seeking students with lots of drive James Walsh, Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com/stories/1592/4806885.html "While the St. Paul High School Automotive Service Center at Monroe Community School has been around in some form for about 30 years, this year the newly accredited center will start churning out certified young mechanics. The center is open to all St. Paul high school students. It joins seven other Minnesota high school programs transforming their auto shop classes into professional training programs." -------------------------------------------------- Tim Erickson Hamline Midway [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- ================================================= Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722 [EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim ================================================= _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
