Housing First Minnesota leadership has met with nearly all of the top gubernatorial candidates since July, having valuable conversations with members on both sides of the aisle. The issue that nearly all of them have agreed on is a stronger emphasis of skilled trades and promotion of vocational education in high schools. And this conversation has continued as the candidates travel across the state to meet with the public and the media.
Jeff Johnson, a Republican candidate, put out an entire statement on the promotion of skilled trade and vocational education. “The heartbeat of our economy must continue to be skilled trade, manufacturing, mining and farming. More importantly, however, a Governor should use the bully pulpit to change this misguided attitude in Minnesota that a four-year degree is the best path to success for all of our kids. I will partner with vocational and technical schools across the state, hold events on their campuses and highlight the many amazing success stories of individual students.”
Additionally, all of the major DFL candidates for governor specifically addressed how the state can better support vocational education in a February forum (starts at 56:30).
Finally, in recent remarks, former Governor Tim Pawlenty (and expected 2018 candidate) stated, “We must double down, triple down on vocational training. We made a mistake taking vocational training out of high schools.”
In the current legislative session, Housing First Minnesota’s advocacy team has joined with the Associated Builders and Contractors to spearhead an appropriation from the state’s Workforce Development Fund for Project Build Minnesota. The money will be used to enhance outreach efforts and expose young Minnesotans, counselors, teachers, administrators and policy makers to the tremendous career opportunities in construction. See more at www.projectbuildmn.com
