Vocational needs

Yesterday, the Hernando County School Board took a bold step at their workshop to discuss vocational needs that appear to be inadequate in our county. After listening to the presentation by the superintendent, Wayne Alexander and several businessman from the community, the School Board agreed to reconvene at a later date to choose a task force board of local community members and local business to plan future vocational programs for Hernando County.

My husband, Tony attended this workshop and was impressed by the change of heart of this school board has concerning the need for additional vocational programs in our county. He spoke highly of school superintendent, Wayne Alexander's presentation to increase the vocational programs into our local school system.

Nature Coast High School principal, Tizzy Schoelles stated that trades like heating and air conditioning and electrical were not considered high-skilled, high-wage jobs from the state's priority list. While I don't dispute the information she obtained from the state, I do question the state's data. The state of Florida needs to take a serious look at updating their data about current trends in building and trade services to understand that our industry cannot employ under educated individuals and survive as a viable business. For example, contractors in the electrical trade are faced daily in their business climate with the needs of improved technology to be competitive which requires a high degree of math and computer skills in today's market. The pay scale for construction and trade serves has risen dramatically in the last 10 years, with many of us making in the six figures which sure isn't chump change.

The Hernando County School Board and Mr. Wayne Alexander need to be commended for their forward thinking approach to correct the oversight of the previous school administration that completely overlooked the need for vocational programs in our community.