We need more paths to employment without a college degree — certifications, on-the-job training, vocational training. Byron Auguste & Opportunity@Work doing great work in this area 🎧👉

@byron_auguste @OpptyatWork Apprenticeships

@byron_auguste @OpptyatWork Community Colleges are the perfect vehicle for vocational training. That’s why they should be free.

@byron_auguste @OpptyatWork This started in the 90's I was a recruiter most of that decade. How it started was every" woman" that worked in HR had a Masters or was working on a masters . They felt that any job including electronics tech required a BS. SAME thing occurred in nursing. Education arrogance.

@byron_auguste @OpptyatWork Need more vo-tech public high schools.

@byron_auguste @OpptyatWork Most of the big tech firms have dropped the degree requirement for employment and offer free courses to become certified in each of their particular applications because employees with the right skills are so hard to find.

@byron_auguste @OpptyatWork Additionally H.Ross Perot got vocational studies removed from most high schools. He started that in Texas and it expanded. This has to be reversed.

@byron_auguste @OpptyatWork Come to Indiana to see what happens when this is embraced. Decades long reduction in education funding, attainment, economic mobility and job creation. A more nuanced approach is perhaps needed, but you're banging this drum too loudly.

@byron_auguste @OpptyatWork Need coordination between high school & industry org. Maybe even co-op, subsidizing what's needed NOW. Nursing, coding, trades: they forecast/ decide. 6 mo, 1-2 yr prgs could = productive WORKERS, NOT students spending $$ on vague 4 yr degree. #Education

@byron_auguste @OpptyatWork That's have big issue in apprenticeship, for example in @NJGov plumbers & electrician require sponsorship and records from already licensed, they not motivated to create competition for them and hence delay by not submitting paperwork.