BATC’s 2016 Legislator of the Year, Representative Jim Nash, introduced a bill during a press conference Monday, that would encourage trades and vocational careers. BATC’s Executive Director David Siegel and BATC Members Pat Hegseth, Scherer Brothers; Tony Wiener, Cardinal Homes; and Missy Redman, T. Scherber Excavating joined the conference in support.
The lack of a qualified workforce is one of the most pressing issues facing our industry. The bipartisan bill, HF 1944 creates Vocational Postsecondary Enrollment Options (VPSEO) where students take part in technical apprenticeships while gaining credits towards high school graduation.
The bill would provide tax credits to businesses that take on the apprenticed students from around the state with a third going to urban schools, a third to suburban schools, and a third to schools throughout Greater Minnesota.
BATC believes this bill would help solve the workforce shortage facing our industry. The bill is moving fast in the House and Senate. View video from the press conference here. Stay tuned for updates.
