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Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Valuing diverse career paths for all graduates
As students around the country put on their caps and gowns and prepare to graduate high school, they are no doubt thinking about their future. For many graduates, going to college makes sense as they work towards a career that requires a higher degree, such as medicine or accounting. But for other graduates they may choose a different path, such as a trade school, going directly into the workforce, or bravely volunteering to serve our nation in the Armed Forces. All are equally important. A college degree is a necessary requirement in some job sectors, but it should be viewed as a pathway to the workforce instead of a piece of paper to hang on the wall. In South Jersey, we have some of the best colleges and universities in the country that help students build meaningful careers. But for over 50 years the narrative for our students has been that you have to go to college to make it in America. It's time to change the conversation and prepare our students for the demands of the workforce. Parents, guidance counselors, college professors, teachers, community leaders and elected officials should celebrate all our graduates and the career paths they choose. Growing up, I enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together to understand how they work. I loved to work with my hands, so while my siblings decided to attend traditional four-year colleges, I chose the other four-year school: a Registered Apprenticeship Program with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). It allowed me to earn while I learned and set me on a path to go from the construction site to Congress. Some of the most in-demand jobs don't require a four-year college degree. Airplane mechanics, construction trades, chefs, flight attendants, bus drivers, health care aides, and servicemembers, are only a few of the high-demand jobs that leave you with little to no debt and set you up for a successful career. A recent National Defense Industrial Association survey found that 63 percent of private sector respondents said it was somewhat difficult or very difficult to find skilled trade workers. We have to make career and technical education more accessible and celebrated, and South Jersey serves as a model for states nationwide. Our Camden County and Gloucester County Technical Schools offer job training and certification programs that make our students career ready. Many times, these students are already employed in their field by the time they graduate high school. Rowan College of South Jersey and Camden County College offer career certification and pre-apprenticeship programs in health care, welding, auto-mechanics and other trades. We also need to make a point to celebrate and honor students who decide to join our military. That's why I started the Congressional School to Service Program to celebrate high school seniors who choose to serve in the U.S. military after graduation with a certificate of commendation and red, white, and blue cords to wear at their graduation ceremonies. Bottom line is, at home, in our schools, and in our communities, we need to improve our perception of post-high school career, educational and training opportunities. Collectively, we can encourage our students to explore every career path. Investing in access to apprenticeship programs and career-ready training is necessary to meet the demands of the future and to ensure our students have good jobs and a career they can be proud of. It takes a wide range of jobs to keep our country running. Whether it's the doctors and nurses who keep us healthy, the servicemembers who keep us safe, or the construction workers who build our homes, each plays a pivotal role in moving our country forward. They should all be valued equally, and in Congress, I will continue to champion opportunities that meet the needs of our students and celebrate their choices. It's what they deserve. Donald Norcross represents the 1st District of New Jersey and is a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Valuing diverse career paths for all graduates
As students around the country put on their caps and gowns and prepare to graduate high school, they are no doubt thinking about their future. For many graduates, going to college makes sense as they work towards a career that requires a higher degree, such as medicine or accounting. But for other graduates they may choose a different path, such as a trade school, going directly into the workforce, or bravely volunteering to serve our nation in the Armed Forces. All are equally important. A college degree is a necessary requirement in some job sectors, but it should be viewed as a pathway to the workforce instead of a piece of paper to hang on the wall. In South Jersey, we have some of the best colleges and universities in the country that help students build meaningful careers. But for over 50 years the narrative for our students has been that you have to go to college to make it in America. It's time to change the conversation and prepare our students for the demands of the workforce. Parents, guidance counselors, college professors, teachers, community leaders and elected officials should celebrate all our graduates and the career paths they choose. Growing up, I enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together to understand how they work. I loved to work with my hands, so while my siblings decided to attend traditional four-year colleges, I chose the other four-year school: a Registered Apprenticeship Program with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). It allowed me to earn while I learned and set me on a path to go from the construction site to Congress. Some of the most in-demand jobs don't require a four-year college degree. Airplane mechanics, construction trades, chefs, flight attendants, bus drivers, health care aides, and servicemembers, are only a few of the high-demand jobs that leave you with little to no debt and set you up for a successful career. A recent National Defense Industrial Association survey found that 63 percent of private sector respondents said it was somewhat difficult or very difficult to find skilled trade workers. We have to make career and technical education more accessible and celebrated, and South Jersey serves as a model for states nationwide. Our Camden County and Gloucester County Technical Schools offer job training and certification programs that make our students career ready. Many times, these students are already employed in their field by the time they graduate high school. Rowan College of South Jersey and Camden County College offer career certification and pre-apprenticeship programs in health care, welding, auto-mechanics and other trades. We also need to make a point to celebrate and honor students who decide to join our military. That's why I started the Congressional School to Service Program to celebrate high school seniors who choose to serve in the U.S. military after graduation with a certificate of commendation and red, white, and blue cords to wear at their graduation ceremonies. Bottom line is, at home, in our schools, and in our communities, we need to improve our perception of post-high school career, educational and training opportunities. Collectively, we can encourage our students to explore every career path. Investing in access to apprenticeship programs and career-ready training is necessary to meet the demands of the future and to ensure our students have good jobs and a career they can be proud of. It takes a wide range of jobs to keep our country running. Whether it's the doctors and nurses who keep us healthy, the servicemembers who keep us safe, or the construction workers who build our homes, each plays a pivotal role in moving our country forward. They should all be valued equally, and in Congress, I will continue to champion opportunities that meet the needs of our students and celebrate their choices. It's what they deserve. Donald Norcross represents the 1st District of New Jersey and is a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local Labor Leaders Urge Crawford County Commissioners to Reconsider Wombat Solar Decision
The development has committed to hiring local union workers through three-trade agreement, will bring hundreds of jobs and millions in tax revenue to support local economy BUCYRUS, Ohio, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wombat Solar, a new solar development proposed in Crawford County, took a significant step backward today as Crawford County Commissioners voted to ban all solar development. This decision was made despite the wishes of other local policymakers and residents who would benefit from the project. Over a hundred members of the public were in attendance, including Ohio LECET, and those speaking in favor of the project outnumbered those opposed by more than three to one. The project, projected to be 400 megawatts, promises substantial economic benefits to Crawford County, including millions in new tax revenue for schools and infrastructure and hundreds of good-paying union jobs. In issuing their decision, the commissioners gave no explanation. "Wombat Solar represents a major commitment to Crawford County's working families, and we are proud to partner with the other leading trade associations through a three-trade agreement to bring good-paying union jobs to this community," said Brian McPeek, business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 688. "Wombat Solar's development will allow our workers to stay in their community and raise their families here instead of having to leave for opportunities elsewhere. It's frustrating to see politicians trying to take this away from us." Wombat Solar has signed the Ohio Three Trades Solar Agreement, which unites the IBEW, the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), and the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA). This agreement sets industry standards for renewable energy projects, prioritizing safety, community benefits, and fair wages for workers. "We're not giving up. This decision makes it harder for Wombat to succeed, but it doesn't stop our support. We'll keep fighting for this project and others like it, because they give our community a better chance at building long-term stability for our members and their families," said Kip Siesel, business representative for IUOE Local 18. "Our message to local leaders is simple: make it easier, not harder, for working people to thrive." Opportunities from this development are already being demonstrated through preliminary development jobs and donations to area schools and programs. If completed, Wombat Solar would generate millions of dollars annually in tax revenue, easily becoming the largest taxpayer in the county. "Wombat Solar gives us a chance to build the kind of future that lets our community stay strong and self-reliant. It means our members can earn a good living without leaving town. And it means our kids can look ahead and actually see a life for themselves right here," says Jeff Sellers, business manager of LiUNA Local 1216. "That's the kind of future we believe in, where we keep what we love about Crawford County and build it together." Laborers' International Union of North America Local 1216Laborers' Local 1216 builds and maintains the infrastructure that supports its local community - from roads, bridges, sewers, and sidewalks to transportation systems and towering buildings. Its members are a skilled and experienced union workforce trained to work safely in the construction and energy industries. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 688The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 688 is a leader in electrical safety, technology, and training and represents IBEW members throughout North Central Ohio. Its members work in various fields, including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads, and government. International Union of Operating Engineers Local 18The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 18, represents operating engineers who build roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure throughout Ohio. Its engineers work as heavy equipment operators running cranes, dozers, front loaders, and other critical construction machinery. Their team also consists of stationary engineers who operate and maintain buildings and industrial complexes. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Ohio LECET Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBC
09-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Enmax electrical workers vote to authorize strike as bargaining continues
Electrical workers with Enmax have passed a strike authorization vote, granting the union's membership the right to issue strike notice to the City of Calgary-owned utility. The vote is the latest development in ongoing negotiations between Enmax and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 254 following the expiration of the previous collective agreement, which covered 389 employees, on Dec. 31, 2024. Brad Dougherty, the union's business manager, told CBC News that the membership is "motivated to get a deal done at the table" and that negotiations with Enmax will take place this week. The strike authorization vote saw a 99.5 per cent member turnout, with 98.9 per cent voting in favour of authorizing job action. The vote, which was certified by the Alberta Labour Relations Board on June 2, gives IBEW Local 254 the right to serve 72-hour strike notice to Enmax within 120 days. Enmax power line technicians, power system electricians, boom truck operators and warehouse workers are among IBEW Local 254's members. Dougherty declined to provide specific details about the union's concerns with the now-expired contract, with a release sent by the union stating "key issues around wages and benefits remain unsolved." In a statement sent to CBC News, Enmax said that over the last several months it has been working with IBEW Local 254 toward renewing the collective agreement. The utility said it was "disappointed by the vote outcome" and confirmed that notice had been received regarding the union's vote in favour of supporting a strike. "We value our union team members and remain hopeful we can reach a fair and balanced agreement without disruption to our operations," Enmax said. The collective bargaining process has been ongoing since last year, with formal mediation between the union and Enmax leaving the two at an impasse. "Really, we're just looking to achieve something that's fair for our membership, and recognizing the value that they bring both to the organization and to the city as a whole," Dougherty said.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Enmax electrical workers vote to authorize strike as bargaining continues
Electrical workers with Enmax have passed a strike authorization vote, granting the union's membership the right to issue strike notice to the City of Calgary-owned utility. The vote is the latest development in ongoing negotiations between Enmax and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 254 following the expiration of the previous collective agreement, which covered 389 employees, on Dec. 31, 2024. Brad Dougherty, the union's business manager, told CBC News that the membership is "motivated to get a deal done at the table" and that negotiations with Enmax will take place this week. The strike authorization vote saw a 99.5 per cent member turnout, with 98.9 per cent voting in favour of authorizing job action. The vote, which was certified by the Alberta Labour Relations Board on June 2, gives IBEW Local 254 the right to serve 72-hour strike notice to Enmax within 120 days. Enmax power line technicians, power system electricians, boom truck operators and warehouse workers are among IBEW Local 254's members. Dougherty declined to provide specific details about the union's concerns with the now-expired contract, with a release sent by the union stating "key issues around wages and benefits remain unsolved." In a statement sent to CBC News, Enmax said that over the last several months it has been working with IBEW Local 254 toward renewing the collective agreement. The utility said it was "disappointed by the vote outcome" and confirmed that notice had been received regarding the union's vote in favour of supporting a strike. "We value our union team members and remain hopeful we can reach a fair and balanced agreement without disruption to our operations," Enmax said. The collective bargaining process has been ongoing since last year, with formal mediation between the union and Enmax leaving the two at an impasse. "Really, we're just looking to achieve something that's fair for our membership, and recognizing the value that they bring both to the organization and to the city as a whole," Dougherty said. Enmax is owned by the City of Calgary and operates across Alberta, as well as in the U.S. state of Maine.
