b'Business leaders must commit resources to support vocational education in communities and encourage government representatives to appropriate funding.Crafting Craftspeople talk to employees and be given aning these objectives requires an as-opportunity to experience indus- sertive approach to funding and a trial elements like machining, auto- commitment from business to sup-schools. Having high-quality equip- mation, pneumatics, hydraulics andport the programs.ment and well-developed class- electronics. Essentially, studentsPromoting and strengthening vo-rooms that represent real-life man- need to be allowed to play and ex- cational programs is a shared re-ufacturing is important, and indus- periment with these areas in an ed- sponsibility. Government is unable try should push government leadersucational setting to help developto improve the situation alone; vo-to adequately fund the programs.interest. cational programs will flourish only Also, business leaders must commitHigh schools currently are not ca- when industry takes the lead. I have heardsomebusiness leaders deride local vo-cational programs about poorly equipped class-rooms, low attendance and inadequate curricula. These are the same lead-ers who do not partici-pate in program develop-ment opportunities and never provide feedback to people who determine funding. Vocational pro-grams work when indus-try provides guidance to educators.Foundation of SuccessTofosterimportant, long-term relationships, communication and guid-Apprenticeships are the most traditional way for young people to gain work-related knowledge outside aance between leaders of classroom, but too few of these programs are offered to supply the number of needed workers.industry and education are the foundation of suc-resources to support vocational ed- pable of supplying enough skilledcess. For a vocational program to ucation in communities and encour- workers to the market, so manufac- succeed, students and instructors age government representatives toturers rely primarily on programsmust be able to experience actual appropriate funding. found at community colleges andmanufacturing environments.Money for high school vocationalpostsecondary vocational schoolsApprenticeships are the most tra-programs is valuable, but it doesto prepare young people for entryditional way for young people to no good to have well-funded butinto a skilled trade. As a result, lead- gain work-related knowledge out-poorly attended programs. Schoolsers need to aggressively fund theseside a classroom, but too few of and businesses must start to pro- programs. Classrooms must havethese programs are offered to sup-mote the benefits of an effectivethe same advanced equipment asply the number of needed workers. vocational education and well-de- manufacturing facilities, and lessonsIndustry must become more ag-veloped skills. Students should visitshould present actual scenarios ex- gressive and creative in approach-advanced manufacturing facilities,perienced in factories. Accomplish- ing training programs. The best 50MAY 2020Workforce.indd 50 4/16/20 6:09 PM'