GRAVETTE -- Richard Page, Gravette Schools superintendent, Jay Chalk, Gravette High School principal, and several students attended the Construction Trades Think Tank at Fulbright Junior High School in Bentonville last Tuesday. They joined other Northwest Arkansas educators, students and construction company representatives in discussing how businesses and schools could respond to a shortage of workers in construction trades.
Superintendent Page was one of several guest speakers and he told about the heating, ventilation and air conditioning program begun in January at Gravette High School. There are 13 students in the program and four attended the think tank. Students from Gravette's alternative learning program and students in the certified nursing assistant program also attended.
Chalk followed up on Page's presentation and outlined five hurdles Gravette had encountered in setting up its HVAC program and how it had overcome them.
Page said only 40 percent of high school graduates continue their education at a two- or four-year college or university.
"We're trying to address the needs of those who don't go to college," Page said. "Career-oriented students want to start work upon graduation from high school. That's the awareness we all need to have."
Page emphasized the importance of Northwest Arkansas schools establishing a regional effort to provide career and technical education programs in all area school districts. Gravette School District is considering aligning with Northwest Arkansas Community College to further such an effort. Gentry is considering starting a charter school in its district, and Gravette is also working with Gentry to promote a regional program since that would be more cost effective than establishing career and technical programs at each school.
Hosted by Michael Poore, superintendent of Bentonville schools, the meeting was designed to highlight some of the ways Northwest Arkansas schools are preparing students for careers straight out of high school and promoting efforts to do more in that area. Those in attendance broke into small groups to discuss things that must be done to further career and technical education.
Brenda Jones, executive officer of Northwest Arkansas Home Builders Association, told the group there is a shortage of construction labor across the region. Electricians, plumbers and masons are all in high demand. She said her association feels that high school is where we need to start encouraging students to go into the construction industry.
General News on 03/25/2015