skilled trades

In a brief letter to the editor of the New York Times, North America’s Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey explained that “Right-to-Work” results in a drop in skilled labor. He questions the idea of attracting businesses to Wisconsin by thwarting workers, suggesting, “Companies and whole industries from Texas to Florida are having to look North for the skilled craft professionals needed to get these projects done safely and efficiently, because the training infrastructure in that region has gone away.” The op-ed appears in its entirety below.

In New York, the state Board of Regents is considering allowing high school students who take technical and career oriented classes to replace one of the five core regents exams with a “career pathway assessment.” Advocates say that the change would positively affect dropout rates and test scores, and help students toward the careers they want the most. The changes will be considered at the board’s meeting later this month.

Speaking at the American Association of Community Colleges convention, Vice President Joe Biden announced a national program that would allow participants in apprenticeship programs to receive academic credit for their experience.