LEAVENWORTH - Attending last week's Labor conference with local AFL-CIO labor unions in Topeka, Kansas Senate Candidate Steve Fitzgerald proposed an alliance between the unions and improved high school vo-tech education.
Confirming with the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union that they have immediate openings for people who can weld Fitzgerald is interested in expanding VOTECH education and training programs to work with the unions in preparing students for immediate and important job skills.
"Union apprenticeships are the gold standard for VOTECH training," says Fitzgerald. "Union training is excellent and Kansas students could complete a good portion of that training while in school, helping students, industry, the unions, and cash strapped school districts. VOTECH training could be set up for high school graduates being accepted as a two year apprentices, able to go to work and continue in five year union apprenticeships in many different trades."
"As a school board member, I know firsthand that we must continue to adapt school curriculums to meet the needs of our students and communities and prepare them for high skill/high paying jobs typifies by high skilled labor in the unions. I urge school districts to make contact with representatives of appropriate unions and make sure that whatever VOTECH they offer allows students to get the maximum certification that the unions will permit."
"As an example, Leavenworth High is very happy with the automotive VOTECH that we contracted and we are considering expansion into building trades and industrial arts as well. However, I must emphasis that in all cases we should seek the cooperation of the local unions in getting our programs recognized because that will be where the real future value lies."
More information is available at website: www.vote4fitzgerald.com
