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Plumbers. Welders.
Electricians. Carpenters.
Machine operators.
HVAC technicians.
These are among just a few of what used to be called vocational-technical trades learned in high school.
No longer "vo-tech," schools are calling them CTE, or Career and Technical Education programs.
Regardless, they are critical to us all.
Our communities and our nation need more plumbers, welders, carpenters, etc.
Ask any employer or small businessperson or homeowners and they'll tell you that.
These traditional skills-careers form the basis of our economy -- our modern lives.
And today, they pay a living wage.
The U.S. Department of Education defines CTE like this: It is a "pathway" that provides students with the academic, technical, and real world knowledge, skills and experience they need to be prepared for a variety of careers. CTE gives students training and skills in many different types of careers in high growth industries such as science and technology, healthcare, and business management. The programs -- as area schools will attest – are personalized and hands-on.
So it's good to read in The Express' Aug. 16 story, "Keystone CTE program to benefit from new funding," that Pennsylvania is investing more money in CTE in our area schools.
An "awareness campaign" featuring videos will be shown to students and interested parents -- because that's where it all starts.
That my sound unconvincing, but dear readers, kids need direction.
They need to be shown how learning such great skills can lead to a successful and, frankly, prosperous life.
Locally, Kurt Lynch, director of Keystone Central Career & Technology, explained it this way: "They're going to create videos to keep the apprenticeship programs moving and show parents, really, that this is an opportunity for their children to make money. Manufacturing isn't dirty, it's clean and sometimes people don't realize that."
Well said, Kurt.
We encourage parents to talk to their kids about CTE programs.
Schooling doesn't have to be and really should not be all about academics.
Let's talk trade skills.
Let's talk hands-on education.
Let's talk partnering students with manufacturers-businesses-employers to learn skills.
Busy hands are happy hands.