Reno Mayor Bob Cashell on "Face the State"
In Mr Cashell's interview of 11/14/10 , the Mayor did (correctly) note that the Casino industry will never be what it once was, and we need to diversify our economy. He also (correctly) noted that as industry flees CA, it jumps right over NV because we do not have a trained workforce. He notes that education is the key, and that cutting education budgets is short-sighted (on this I partially agree). My opinion on this is that throwing money at it (education) will NOT solve the problem either. We all agree we need a trained workforce, it's just that the academics feel it all must be based on "soft-skills", academic based (vocational education.... why young man, don't be foolish... ).Why do over 50% fail to graduate high-school? Probably because they are bored to death with "education". If you want to educate that 50%, then you are going to have to make it interesting. Can you teach math and science with a technical based vocational education? You bet.... (geometry/carpentry, trigonometry/electrical, calculus/instrumentation).
I've see high school students who cannot read a tape measure. Somehow, showing them one in a book I don't believe is going to do it. IF we are going to end that 50% drop out rate, then we are going to have to offer parallel career paths, both academic and technical/vocational.
I've been in NV now for over 18 years. All I've since I've been here is: (1) we need to diversify the workforce, and (2) we do not have a trained workforce, and (3) we need more money for education.
Well, I've seen the money come and go, and we are no closer to achieving these goals. It's time to quit throwing money at it... and fix the problem. Again, I propose a separate Technical College system in NV, part of UCCSN, but NOT under the thumb of the Community College's, who will always lean toward what they know, and all they know is academics).
Technical/vocational education should start in grade-school. Maybe then we could start getting the trained workforce we need, and finally start making things again in this country.
Charles L. Dickinson
Owner: Dickinson & Associates Industrial Training
Project Based Instructor: National Technology Transfer
Full interview at:
http://www.ktvn.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=5287741&h1=11/13%20-%20Face%20the%20State%3A%20Reno%20Mayor%20Bob%20Cashell&vt1=v&at1=Community&d1=728467&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=90005262
posted by cl @ 7:33 PM
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