Vocational tech grads buck the jobs trend

(CBS News) 

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - "I don't really like the second shift," Nick Senniti, 20, says. "But you've got to start somewhere."

Despite the worst job market in decades, Senniti had three job offers right out of high school.

CBS News correspondent Elaine Quijano reports Senniti graduated in 2009 as a certified welder from a Career and Technical Education high school -- or what used to be called vocational education. He now works for Air Products in Allentown, Pa.

John McGlade, president and CEO of Air Products, says 4,000 of his 7,500 U.S. employees are skilled workers. His global company designs and builds high-tech hydrogen equipment and devices.

McGlade is "worried" he won't be able to find skilled workers in the future. He hires about 550 U.S. workers a year. Three-hundred-and-sixty are technically skilled positions that require two years of college or advanced certification. These positions can often go unfilled for 12 months.

"You need people who are electronics experts, instrument technicians, mechanics," McGlade said.

This year funding for vocational education was cut by $140 million and President Obama is proposing a 20 percent cut next year.

"Without support and continued development of a skilled workforce, we're not going to be able to fill the jobs," McGlade warned.

Lehigh Career and Technical Institute would be impacted, as well -- 5 percent of its budget comes from federal grants. The school trains about 3,000 students from across the Lehigh Valley. According to the National Association of Career and Technical Schools, these students can earn $26 an hour more than workers with only a high school diploma.

"There is going to be more and more of those skilled jobs that are available, that are going to be paying and provide a sustaining career for years and years to come," McGlade said.

It's a career path that McGlade estimates will need 10 million more skilled workers over the next decade.

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[Ryan_T521]

I'm all for greater accessibility to vocational/technical training, but it seems like there are also for-profit virtual diploma mills out there capitalizing on grants. There are some good operations, but others release numerous graduates who have trouble finding gainful employment based on their training.

[LadyMarconi]

I agree that this is not the best way to spend grant money unless there is continuing education for these kids. The best he can do is make $26. an hour. When? And, how much is he actually making and how long can anyone stand a job that goes nowhere and will never pay enough to live on. Sad story.

[Samlv]

Something doesn't add up here.

If there really are to be 10MM new positions requiring that level of skill, then why aren't there a zillion ads on TV from Lincoln Tech et al talking about that? Why is there not a flyer in every mailbox about that?

Well, could be it isn't true. Unfortunately, in this story, nobody asked the CEO how he knows that number. Best guess, he didn't make it up, just like he didn't make up the 4K number, because he knew in advance what the interview would consist of.

Finally, why does anyone believe anything a CEO says?

[churchies5]

Appears he has some personal experience with Tech Ed

Mr. McGlade was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he attended Liberty High School and Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School. He attended Lehigh University where he earned a B.S. degree in industrial engineering in 1976 and an M.B.A. in 1980.

http://www.skillsusa.org/about/presskit/speaker.shtml

[Samlv]

Thank you, APCI PR department.

[strousek]

Every new worker will need additional preparation that focuses on 21st Century Skills to vie in a global economy. Employees entering the workforce of tomorrow will be facing challenges much different than workers of the past. Globalization and new and emerging technologies are only two of the factors presenting challenges for new workforce candidates. These challenges will impact new workers whether they enter the workforce directly after high school or after earning a two or four year degree. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are poised to contribute to preparing students with 21st Century Skills via rigorous academics, technical knowledge and professional development.
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania graduated 260 students in June 2011. Those students collectively earn 1,119 industry recognized certifications in areas that include Pennsylvania State Automotive Inspection, Pennsylvania Emissions Inspection, Microsoft Office Specialist, Pennsylvania Cosmetology license, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Fire Fighter I, EMT, Nurse Aid, Child Development Associate, American Culinary Federation Secondary Culinarian, OSHA, American Welding Society Stainless Steel certification, CompTIA Network A+, and Copper-based Networking. In addition, 83% scored proficient or advanced on the occupational assessment exam, 68% continued on to post-secondary education and 32% entered directly into the workforce or military. Career and Technical Education programs support our country's need for skilled workers.

[churchies5]

I think it's hard for educational policy folks to reconcile the data.

A large percentage of students participating in technical education did not meet their States academic standards as measured by State assessment; then these students go to CTE and earn "Industry Credentials" that appear to have NO parity to the State assessment or that of an AP level course.

This is further exemplified by the lack of value for these certifications.

What college acknowledges them for credit?
How does an employer recognize the accomplishment? ($$)

How many of the 260 students at Middle Bucks Institute met or exceeded the standard on the State academic assessments?

How many participated concurrently in an AP level class?

[independent_mom]

I have thought for a long time that we have been undervaluing vo-tech education.

However, a natural question for the reporter to ask is why doesn't McGlade assume responsibility for training new hires? It would be relatively easy to create an aptitude exam to qualify job applicants and then put them through a 3-6 month training program. This approach would be smarter than turning business away.

Corporations seem to be looking to the government to fund what had been considered part of their job in decades past.

Requires some research but I think there is a good story there and I really thought the reporter missed the boat on an obvious follow-up.

[Samlv]

F500 wants plentiful supply of trained people to drive down costs.

It only makes sense. To a CEO.

By the way, even though a kid gets training the company still has to train her/him to actually do the job; that's why supply/demand of the basic skills matter more.

[crjones115]

To the CBS new production team...please don't let this segment fade into the sunset....I noticed that you are not getting much feedback because most folks are not impacted directly by this issue....however please consider the implications of the information contained within the segment titled:
Vocational tech grads buck the jobs trend

By
Elaine Quijano
This is the first time I have responded to any issue online...as a teacher i don't have the luxury of spending time on such tasks..however when I saw this segment last night as I was grading papers...yea..us h.s. teachers never stop working..much like most of you in the journalism industry....I work with such amazing kids...kids that I bring snacks to every day...because their S.E.S. minority status means they don't have the money to but enough food...these are hard working, focused kids who need a helping hand from the rest of society...if you don't believe me....I invite you to spend just a few hours with me...at Delcastle Technical High School in Wilmington, Delaware...look this up and call the high school and ask for me...I am Mrs. Chris Jones..I teach science..which means I get a cross section of all the kids in the school....please consider at least continuing the conversation in your news forum to help these wonderful children.
Thank you.

[crjones115]

I teach science at a Votech H.S. in Delaware. As you can see...I am starting my day already..but I love what I do and I love my vo-tech students because they are so focused and hardworking. I have taught in regular education h.s. prior to this position and the difference is stark! I don't understand why funding is being cut for such a valuable...much needed service to our children and our future! IS there someone out there than can make sense of this....or at least someone out there who has the power to change this trend of cutting funding to such an important issue...clearly I as a lowly teacher...the current scape goat of society....do not have any power..Help us make the U.S.A. strong again..do not cut funding to VoTech H.S.

[random_radar]

High schools that teach high paying trade skills? I can see why a Harvard educated president would want to kill that poste haste.

The aristocratic intelligensia have no clue who fixes their cars, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, etc. To them we are all the hoi poloi who need to be beaten down with nightsticks.

We will all become like the Chinese who are already oppressed by the American corporate kleptocrats.