Seventy percent of Los Angeles County students said they'd consider taking a skilled trades class, if their high school offered the option, according to a survey sponsored by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, reports Sierra Lyons on The 74.
But few high schools offer such classes, despite very strong support for the option by voters, parents and students.
Most of those surveyed did not think high schools were doing a good job of preparing students for the future, writes Lyons. "Neither parents nor students knew the specific steps necessary to secure the education and training needed to begin a career in skilled trades."
"Only a small minority of Los Angeles high school graduates -- approximately one in four -- will earn a four-year college degree within six years of graduation," she writes.
Students talked about their interest in construction jobs, said Belen Vargas, senior director of Los Angeles County Programs at Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “Young people in the focus group really spoke about wanting to work in a career where it’s improving their community, and they spoke very eloquently about driving around and seeing these big projects going up and how they know that’s that’s to better their community, and they want to be part of that."
Work-study programs are a doable way to motivate high school students and prepare them for college and careers, writes Paul G. Vallas in a Manhattan Institute brief.