Mark’s Plan to Expand Training for 21st Century Jobs
While out walking door-to-door, one of the most common questions Mark is asked from voters is, “What is the first thing you’ll do when you are elected?” Mark has many goals he would like to accomplish, both as a legislator and as a community leader. There is one clear answer to him as to his first bill.
Expand career training programs by coordinating them through our community colleges and with our high schools.
Currently state funding for career training and retraining programs are spread across 5 different state government agencies. By consolidating and better coordinating these programs, we can put more resources into training program offerings, and reduce administrative costs. We can also expand the reach of our community colleges by coordinating their efforts with high schools throughout the states. High school students may participate in “dual enrollment”, whereby they receive college credit AND credit toward their high school graduation requirements when they take college level classes as juniors and seniors in high school.
Prepare our workforce for today’s new green jobs.
To attract new companies to Northeast Denver, and help local companies and current employers expand, career training programs must focus on the top growth areas for employment in the 21st Century and in the local industries already present (renewable energy, energy efficiency, biotechnology, nursing, distribution, etc.). In particular, Mark would focus these programs on the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields that have such great potential for our sunny and windy part of the country.
Help reduce the dropout rate in Public Schools.
By offering classes in our high schools that provide hands-on career training AND college credit, we can give high school students, who might otherwise drop out, two great reasons to stay in school and graduate from high school. Academic research studies have shown that career technical education programs (if designed and implemented properly) reduce drop out rates, without requiring additional resources from the K-12 school system.
Provide hands-on training in real world jobs.
In addition to expanding college level classroom offerings, this consolidated program would also offer hands-on training with the tools, equipment, and technology that workers will be using once they enter or re-enter the workforce. These programs can also be coordinated with local unions and businesses to ensure the skills gained are applicable to the real world.
Help K-12 Schools Save Money and Energy.
Many schools in Northeast Denver were built decades ago, and are in need of energy efficiency upgrades. By having students conduct these upgrades, we can help our K-12 schools save money on their energy bills, while shortening the list of schools waiting for funding for capital improvements.
One recent afternoon while walking door to door, Mark met a teacher who confirmed what Mark has heard elsewhere — many current students have no plans of going to a 4-year college, yet do not feel that their high school curriculum meets their needs for finding real 21st Century jobs that pay enough to feed, clothe, and house a family. We can’t leave these students behind.
Colorado must do a better job of preparing students for the jobs of the 21st Century, and of keeping current workers. Mark’s first bill in the legislature will help us do just that.
