subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Fri, Nov 27 2009 

Published October 13, 2008 12:08 am - PITTSBURG, Kan. — Were it not for a new masonry class at Pittsburg High School, two of the nine students enrolled in it say they probably wouldn’t be in school at all. Two others say it’s the only thing they like about school, because they are not “pencil and paper” students.

Program fills needs of students, industry



By Andra Bryan Stefanoni

news@joplinglobe.com

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Were it not for a new masonry class at Pittsburg High School, two of the nine students enrolled in it say they probably wouldn’t be in school at all. Two others say it’s the only thing they like about school, because they are not “pencil and paper” students.

The class is part of a comprehensive construction trades program put in place this fall by Fort Scott Community College in partnership with four Southeast Kansas school districts.

Funded by a $2 million grant awarded in April by the Department of Labor, the program is an answer to a problem that was twofold, said Chris Sterrett, director of construction trades at the Fort Scott school and the grant’s administrator. Construction maintains the most consistent growth of all industries in the United States, but there is a chronic need for workers, he said.

“The construction industry is one of the largest employers in the country, and it is facing huge shortages of trained craftsmen, which means deadlines can’t be met,” Sterrett said. “It pushes back recovery from natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. There are just not enough workers to do jobs.”

There also is a segment of students who are not college-bound that high schools have been challenged to serve, he said.

“National statistics show that in the current ninth-grade class, 28 percent of them will go on to get a four-year degree,” Sterrett said. “Thirty-two percent of them will need advanced training, 10 percent lack the skills to get gainful employment, and 30 percent will drop out.”

But, Sterrett said, only 20 percent of today’s jobs require a four-year degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.

“Sixty-five percent of today’s jobs need future training at a vocational school or community college such as ours,” he said.

Enter the construction trades program at Fort Scott Community College. Pittsburg High School Principal Donna Zerr said it came at a wonderful time.

“Occupational programming is expensive, and we lack the resources to do both that and academic programming,” Zerr said.

She said the program fills an important gap in what PHS provides, and she believes that schools and communities should work toward getting past the mind-set that college degrees are something for which all students should strive.

Those who participate at PHS, Girard High School, Fort Scott High School and Northeast High School at Arma can earn industry-recognized credentials in carpentry, masonry, electrical and plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and safety. Certificate programs are being developed for concentration in specific trades.

“We have such interest in the new welding program at Girard, which is a night class, that adult community members are wanting to sign up to take it,” Sterrett said.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Announcements


Click here to VOTE!!

Click here!!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!


Featured Jobs

TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED

for local construction project, must have CDL and experience on construction site belly dumps. 417-206-0930.
...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE

1999 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED
4x4, leather loaded, $3500. 417-850-0731....>MORE

2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE

2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT
loaded, 1 owner, 94,000 miles, nice. (417)385-7755...>MORE

1999 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE
Delegance, Michelin tires, Northstar, vinyl top, loaded, $3900/or offer. (417)850-0731....>MORE

2003 SATURN L200
4 door, 4 cylinder, 127,000 miles, $4495. 417-434-0925...>MORE

TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE

1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

1998 CHEVROLET S10
4 cylinder, 5 speed, high miles, $1750. 417-214-0022....>MORE

1993 CHEVROLET LONG BED
runs good, 4.3 V6, new transmission, needs body parts, $400. (417)438-2508...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

3 ACRES
3 ACRES more/less with pond. Nice park-like setting, just minutes from Range Line. Close to area of newer homes. $19,900...>MORE

Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE

525 E. 41ST, JOPLIN, MO

to be sold at auction December 5th or before. Lovely all red brick home on large corner. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, double
...>MORE

NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE

SCHNAUZERS
one white puppy, one registered silver adult female, one white adult male. (417)437-0300....>MORE

GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT!
1000 thread 100% Egyptian cotton bed sheets, all sizes, 10 colors, $35/set. (417)782-6639....>MORE

(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE

INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE

POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE

I WANT TO BUY
6’ t-post, 5’ wire. Call for details. (417)396-1339...>MORE

YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE

ANGUS HEIFERS
6 Augus heifers, good foundation stock. (417)358-7519...>MORE

REWARD $50,000 REWARD

Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition