(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A worker collects shopping carts in the parking lot of a Target store on June 9, 2021, in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Target is removing certain items from its stores and making other changes to its LGBTQ merchandise nationwide ahead of Pride month, after an intense backlash from some customers including violent confrontations with its workers. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release in Harrisburg today from Representative Marla Brown’s office (R-Lawrence), Brown is planning to introduce legislation that would require students in grades six through twelve to participate in shop class, This would help to expand hands-on learning and better prepare students for in-demand careers. The proposal from Brown comes amid a growing concern about workforce shortages in the skilled trades and a renewed focus on practical education opportunities which connect students directly to career pathways, and she stated: “Requiring shop class is about giving students real opportunities to discover skills they may not otherwise be exposed to and putting them on a path toward meaningful, family-sustaining careers. What we heard during our workforce development hearing made it clear increasing awareness of the trades and expanding hands-on learning are essential to closing workforce gaps and strengthening Pennsylvania’s economy.” Brown also noted that the effort builds on conversations and feedback gathered during a recent House Republican Policy Committee hearing that she hosted in Lawrence County, which focused on strengthening development in the workforce in Pennsylvania’s trades. The hearing was titled, “Built in Pennsylvania: Workforce Development in the Trades,” and it brought together educators, employers and labor leaders to discuss solutions to workforce gaps and ways to increase awareness of trade careers. Participants highlighted the value of career and technical education programs while they also identified challenges in expanding access and student participation. Testifiers and lawmakers also agreed that greater exposure to hands-on learning at earlier grade levels could play a critical role in addressing those challenges. Brown expressed that employers, labor organizations and schools all play an important role in preparing the next generation of workers and that stronger collaboration between those groups will be key to long-term success.