There is a perception in the public arena
that to succeed in life one must have a degree and that we must educate to
compete in the global market. This thinking has and will continue
to push our standard of live downward rather than move us into the dynamics of
the job market. The skilled trade unions have failed to recruit, the
schools have been so focused on retention rather than direction and we in
society have stopped any effort to place kids in vocational tracks because we
perceive colleges will lead one to a better life. We have and are
failing to meet the needs of the market for Master Carpenters, Electricians, Nurses,
Plumbers, Mechanics etc. The Chinese will continue to out price us until
they are replaced by the African continent. And while that college degree
may get someone a low paying management training job at a big box it is often
overlooked that the real security may be installing pipes, wires and keeping
them working.
Many counties are criticized for
vocational tracks for kids but one only needs to look at the tradesmen
shortages in Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi and closer to home in Sioux
Falls when mother nature play havoc. If the roll of the ALC is to help some
kids better suited to a vocational track then let’s deal with it in counseling
in the “middle school” rather than dropping the ball by not addressing
their needs. It is a standing understanding that current teaching methods cater
to the left brain (theory & thought) whereas vocational educators focus on
the right (hands on methods). Is that the basis of the real problem and
the reason the numbers are growing?
If I was 30 again I would move to Mexico, set up a satellite
campus for UW – Stout (Leaders in Vocational Education), provide English
training and produce to quality tradesmen and women. I would venture to
say we could guarantee them jobs and working legal immigrate status and almost
any state would welcome them for the income taxes they would pay!!
Paul Double
-----Original Message-----
From: Leslie Hittner
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 9:21 PM
In the past twenty years or so Minnesota has effectively
turned its Vocational-Technical educational institutions into two-year AA
degree colleges. There no longer is a true (public) vocational-technical
educational system in Minnesota suitable for people who
"don't want to go to college." That role must now be filled by high
schools through extensive scheduling of electives in vocational subjects.
Students who go to ALCs do want to
complete high school, but have not been successful at doing it in a more
conventional educational environment.
