EXPANDING THE TRADES!

Only around 30% of all high school graduates will attend and complete a 4-year college. That means most of our graduates will go straight into a job, the military, or attend and return from college with debt and likely no real career direction.

We must focus on expanding the trades. Here are some highlights from my 4-point plan:

FUNDING/LEGISLATION:

• Making CAPE grant dollars (Career & Adult Industry Certification Funding) easier to use for vocational students and schools.
• Workforce development legislation – that includes allowing high schools to retrofit “normal” size footprint classrooms to expand – or include an outside gazebo area to expand the enrollment and lab equipment needed in our high schools.
• More funding for Vocational-technical classes!

PRIVATE-PUBLIC-PARTNERSHIPS:

• Duplicate programs like the NC3 program at Pinellas Technical College that partners private industries with funding sources and job opportunities (ex. Honda mechanics, TRANE HVAC…)
• I’m working with our local airport officials on bringing in an aviation/A&P (aircraft mechanics) school for their 300-acre expansion and a dormitory partnership solution for the students.

WORKFORCE POOL:

• I’ve connected CEOs from NCCER (National Center for Continuing Education and Research) with ELC’s Early Learning Centers of North Florida (ELCs were originally ushered in under workforce development) and makes a great pairing to attract single parents to the trades.
• Focus on military personnel that only serve one or two tours of duty (a large amount of FAA air traffic controllers were former Air Force air traffic controllers – we need this same type of pipeline and recruitment for the trades).
• Identify students on the Autism spectrum that might excel in areas such as coding. (Again, another group of students sometimes overlooked).

AWARENESS & EXPOSURE:

• More exposure to the MANY apprenticeship programs around our district.
• Informing parents of the wages young adults can earn in the trades.
• Expanding the Guidance Counselor checklist and career days for high schools to dramatically include the trades (writing legislation where necessary).
• Space Florida has just started a new initiative of Space Academies in high schools – knowing there is crossover between areas of the trades and aerospace – this is another great way to expand.
• Informing parents of volunteer opportunities with private businesses that include the trades (writing legislation where necessary).