Idea Submitted by R.W.

Give young people an alternative to high school and college with an expansive technical/trade education system that meshes with an apprenticeship program upon graduation.

DC needs a new generation of tradespeople just as much as we need white-collar workers, and right now the DC school system does not offer many options for those not interested in college. After getting a solid academic education through 8th grade, students demonstrating literacy, aptitude and interest should be given the opportunity to enroll in schools where the emphasis is on learning a trade--carpentry, masonry, plumbing, etc.--in conjunction with a curriculum that teaches life skills, business basics, technical reading and writing, and finance.

Students who complete the four-year program should be provided an apprenticeship in DC in their chosen trade, which would qualify them to be fully licensed and ready to work. The students win with a good-paying skilled job and the community wins with qualified and well-trained tradespeople and a lower drop-out rate.

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Comments

6.12.06 - G.B.

Why this wasn't the first place winner, I'll never know! An excellent idea and one that needs implementation asap. Marie Johns addressed this idea on a recent TV interview...the only candidate I've heard that makes much sense.

6.05.06 - M.O.

Excellent idea, especially since the city doesn't have a community college.

6.05.06 - H.F.

SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR FIRST PLACE WINNER! IN A CITY WHERE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS ELEMINATED VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IT IS GREAT TO SEE THAT THE COMMUNITY RECOGNIZES THE NEED.

4.19.06 - J.B.

Excellent! Strategies and tools to encourage students to enter the trades are severly lacking yet absolutely in demand.

4.13.06 - T.H.

Amen!