Tech Master program smart idea

*Originally appeared in the Jan. 16 edition of the Laurel Chronicle

Last week, the Mississippi Economic Council announced a joint partnership with some large employers to improve state workforce readiness. The Mississippi Scholars Tech Master program, as it is officially called, provides specific standards for a tech-prep course of study with an emphasis on science, engineering, technology, and math (also known as STEM). This year, the program will be piloted in seven counties, including Jones County.

The crux of the program is to direct more students to careers in craft, such as welding, machining, or other technical jobs that aren’t always on a high school student’s radar.

Tech Master is a smart idea, especially considering recent projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2012 through 2022. Two-thirds of the 30 occupations with the largest projected employment increase over this time period aren’t expected to require postsecondary education for entry (craft jobs typically don’t require a college degree, for example). While no degree may be necessary, skills will be required according to the report.

What’s interesting to me is the inclusion of a “soft skills” component in the Tech Master program. Not only are students expected to take certain STEM-focused classes, they are also required to log at least 20 hours of community and/or volunteer service during the year. Communications, multitasking, and other skills gained by participating in community service activities help ensure students are employable upon graduation.

Those who complete the Tech Master program will be recognized both at their high school graduation and by some of the state’s largest employers looking to hire new workers. Irwin Edenzon, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding and corporate vice president of Huntington Ingalls Industries, said his company would give preference to Tech Master graduates during their hiring process.

This is great news for students in the Free State. High schoolers have an opportunity to get a competitive edge in the labor market, and that’s no small feat. While our state may be slowly recovering from the economic recession, the unemployment rate remains elevated and the job market competitive. Programs like the Tech Master initiative can spur economic growth in the Pine Belt, but only if students – and those who influence them – understand their options.

Becoming a “Tech Master” may not sound appealing to high schoolers who dream of “making the big bucks.” But I’ll bet that if you dig deeper, these students don’t actually understand the dynamics of the job market nor the wages that can be earned as craftspeople. To borrow another quote from Ingalls’ Edenzon, craft jobs pay well, with “many of our craftspeople [earning] beginning salaries higher than a starting salary of a four-year, liberal arts graduate.” When students begin to understand that craft jobs can provide a comfortable living, I imagine their tune about career ambitions may change.

But, really, it’s up to parents, teachers, advisors, and other influencers to make sure students understand their options, including a realistic look at what jobs are available. These influencers should steer clear of any comments that may intentionally or unintentionally stigmatize jobs in the skilled trades.

The Tech Master program may not be for everyone. There are certainly a large number of students who aspire to (and should) attend a four-year university. But not everyone fits into that socially-acceptable mold. The new Tech Master program gives these students a way to succeed and feel good about it. Let’s encourage them to do so!