|
Hello from the State Capitol,
This past week, I presented one of my favorite bills in the Education Policy Committee. This bill, which I also authored last year (but was unfortunately vetoed in the final legislation of the year) would bring more opportunities for high school students to take vocational classes outside of school hours. I am sponsoring this bill again because I feel this is important for both student educational opportunity and critical workforce needs.
The goal of my legislation is to increase vocational learning opportunities to help students gain the skills and knowledge they need, and to fill in-demand work in vocational trades and skilled labor. The bill would provide state grants for that purpose.
Fairmont Schools have seen great success by offering a welding class on Saturday. Programs like the one in Fairmont offer more opportunity for students to access vocational educational programs like welding, carpentry, and more. This is a win-win situation for both our students and our area businesses which are seeing tremendous worker shortages in the trades. I believe the state should fund these classes like it does for those that take place during the regular school day.
I would like to see as many avenues as possible for Minnesota students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to enter a career of their choice after graduation. Many students prefer to learn and work with their hands, and we should have classes and coursework where they can learn an in-demand skill that will help them after graduation.
LOCAL STUDENTS VISIT
The Albert Lea Area Schools’ Southwest Middle School student council traveled to St. Paul to visit the Capitol. They stopped by my office to chat about green energy issues. Such fun to see them here. Thanks for coming!
Have a good weekend,
Peggy
|