<p>I am posting a link to a Boston Globe article today on a Harvard study suggesting greater focus on occupational instruction. The article says that only 30% of young adults complete a bachelor’s degree, resulting in lost money and time, and kids falling through the cracks. It also says that only 1/3 of new jobs created in coming years will require a bachelor’s. My fantasy is to create a campus where young people can live, much like college, meet people from all over, maybe have workshops in the evening - and work at apprentice/intern positions during the day. Sort of like the mill girls in Lowell at the turn of the century. </p>
<p>I think that’s an excellent idea. I hire a lot of manufacturing technicians. The job does not require a college degree, but some specialized training would be ideal, and few people have it. They just learn on the job, which is not adequate. (They pick up bad habits and don’t understand the science behind what they’re doing, which leads to an inefficient trial-and-error approach to problem-solving.)</p>
<p>Germany and Switzerland have good vocational education systems. We really need something in the U.S. for intelligent young people who want to work with their hands and aren’t academically inclined in the usual sense. In fact, I might even say that it’s critical to our economic future.</p>
<p>I have heard really great things about Pennsylvania College Of Technology. It is under the Penn State umbrella, has on campus housing, both AA and bachelor degrees. It’s motto under the banner is “degrees that work”. Despite its name, it is not IT alone. It has a very good computer science program, but also areas such as construction, natural resource management, paralegal, AA degrees in HVAC, renewable energy, electric technology, building construction technology with masonry emphasis. There are also several allied health programs on campus. </p>
<p>I know someone who did one of the computer BS degrees working at the FBI right now, but the AAS degrees were well represented at his graduation. In addition, the relationship with Penn State had many of them attending football games and feeling part of the larger university. Seems like a win-win!
[Future</a> Students - Pennsylvania College of Technology](<a href=“http://www.pct.edu/futurestudents/]Future”>Future Made By Hand)</p>
<p>I think there are “more of these” than people know. In Michigan Northern Michigan has a similar lineup of classes along side the traditional liberal arts 4 year degrees. There was a thread a few weeks ago and many of the posters were unaware that public universities often had these type of professional and technical courses of study. It’s an entirely viable option for many, many kids. I think this forum is so populated by parents who are looking either for the traditional 4-year college experience or by parents that are looking for the technical degrees like engineering etc. that are typically 4 year degrees or incorporated into more classical college setting. Also I don’ot think many parents seriously look at their state system after the flagship and many of these programs are housed at the regional system colleges.</p>
<p>This is all great info and so good to know. My third child might be a good candidate for some of these programs. I am watching many of her friends fall through the cracks, too. Community colleges have some great options, of course, but offer less of a transitional, away-from-home, get to know yourself and others kind of experience. Not that there’s anything wrong with living at home, but some kids do feel kind of stuck.</p>