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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WANDO) — Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed a $10 million increase in funding for career and technical education (CTE) in the state’s next budget. That money could be a big boost for many Illinois students inspired by CTE.
The world continues to change every year, and the pendulum is swinging toward America’s need for more people in skilled trades. skills usa is a nonprofit educational organization that helps children gain potential work experience.
“For a long time, we heard that the only way to be successful was to get a four-year degree,” said Eric Hill, executive director of SkillsUSA Illinois. “Currently, many jobs require a four-year degree. , there are seven jobs that don’t require a four-year degree.”
In fact, 52% of jobs in Illinois require skills training beyond a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree. 41% of Illinois workers already have these skills.
Students who participate in SkillsUSA can learn through pre-practicum and community college training.
“I love engineering and the challenges it presents me and the challenges I get to experience through it,” said Emma Belsley, a senior at Morton High School. “But I also love the leadership and management side of things, which I was able to experience through my school’s chapter officers and state officers.”
There are 135 SkillsUSA chapters in Illinois, with 600 classrooms and 70 employers. According to the organization, 283,000 middle school and high school students are currently participating in the program. Approximately 130,000 community college students also benefit from hands-on training.
This week, 30 of these students took their talents and knowledge to the Illinois State Capitol to tell legislators and other state leaders how much career and technical education means to them.
“You need to expand your options and try a lot of options because as a freshman you might not know where you are, so try as many things as you can and establish that by your senior year.” That’s what I do,”’ said Caiden Brubaker, a senior at Morton High School. “You’re saying, ‘I want to know. I want to be in this field, I want to go in this direction.'” Then they can take their own lives, and with that plan, they have a better chance of success. There is. ”
The Illinois State Board of Education is currently working on a CTE funding formula to ensure that children in all schools have the same opportunities.
“It would be great to have more funding to support that and also help support registered apprenticeship programs that help students get internships and get into the profession while in high school.” That career path. was set up for them,” Belsley said.
Kaiden plans to become an aerospace engineer when he grows up. Emma is still trying to decide on her dream job, but she told Mike Miletich that she knows the job will require engineering skills.
“It’s a puzzle, and people like puzzles. I feel like that’s why board games have always been board games,” Brubaker said. “It’s becoming a video game now. People want to go and they want to solve something. They want to feel an impact. That’s why a lot of his CTE programs give people I feel like I’m making that possible.”
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