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VIEWPOINT: Helping tech school is in our own interest |
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By Yvonne D. Hawkins
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Tuesday, 22 May 2007 |
I started hearing it a few years ago.
While reporting or editing stories about various businesses, one of my routine questions is: What’s the biggest challenge facing this business.
Oftentimes, the response from business owners is: “Finding enough workers.”
That answer comes regularly from companies in the construction industry. Electricians, plumbers, roofers and the like are starving for young, skilled workers who are ready to pick up the baton once hordes of baby boomers start retiring.
For instance, the average age of welders is 54.
But it’s not just the trade companies that are hanging out “Help Wanted” signs. The need for skilled workers spans this region’s entire business spectrum.
The health-care industry is looking for licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants and technicians.
The financial services industry needs customer-service representatives, salespeople and accountants.
The retail-service industry wants auto technicians and mechanics as well as managers.
It seems like everyone in the prairie states, regardless of its Standard Industrial Classification, wants workers. Preferably, inexpensive ones. And South Dakota’s low unemployment rate doesn’t help matters much in that regard.
That’s what makes hearing about Southeast Technical Institute’s new initiative so refreshing.
STI recently launched a fundraising drive to help the school meet its mission of training students to boost the area’s work force.
The school is adding programs, expanding its curriculum and working with industries to offer specialty training. The goal is to help pair students with potential employers, delivering a stream of young employees who can step into vacant positions.
“We are looking at adding internships as a major component because of the need for on-the-job experience,” STI director Jeffrey Holcomb said.
STI – particularly its business and industry training division – has a history of working with businesses to help meet employers’ needs. From welders to truck drivers, STI has been producing students capable of stepping immediately into an industry.
In addition, a recent study showed that nearly 80 percent of STI’s graduates work in the state. That’s the kind of statistic business folks like to hear.
STI’s funding initiative, which seeks to raise $157,000 from businesses, alumni and students’ families, promises to strengthen the school’s efforts.
Behind the scenes, however, is a lingering debate that likely will resurface about what’s the best system of governance for the state’s technical schools.
The schools, under control of local school districts, are eager for the state to create governing boards distinct from both the K-12 and post-secondary systems. The growing demand for tech school graduates is well established, and the schools want funding and leadership that reflect their missions. And they fear getting lost amid other educational priorities.
Gov. Mike Rounds vetoed legislation that tried to create separate boards for tech schools, but business and industry leaders aren’t likely to roll over on this issue.
The final chapter in this debate has not been written yet, but one thing already is clear.
Sioux Falls needs more workers. Therefore, it also needs to support, in whatever way possible, STI’s efforts to help deliver those workers.
To that end, hopefully the next batch of news stories will include answers to the question: How did you succeed? |