At one time, schools across the country offered vocational programs. Those classes started disappearing decades ago, but now educators are having a change of heart.
“I think we closed our minds to that for far too long in education,” said Macomb School Superintendent Patrick Twomey.
“We’re going to make a concerted effort here in Macomb and in McDonough County to reopen a lot of those doors for kids.”
He said discussions are in their early stages to develop a vocational center for students throughout McDonough County. Those talks have included the other school superintendents in the county, the city of Macomb, the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation, NTN Bower, and Pella.
Twomey said a vocational program could benefit college-bound and non-college bound students alike. For example, construction offers many job opportunities.
“So as a student goes into that vocational work, they can determine during that process: do I want to be the person driving the hammer, or do I want to be the person reading the blueprints, or do I want to be the person who’s overseeing the project?” he said.
Twomey said a vocational center would give students an opportunity to experience all of those possibilities.
He said the Macomb district sent its chief academic officer to Galesburg District 205 for a day to take a look at their vocational program.
“She got a good view at how they’re delivering those services,” Twomey said, noting the Galesburg vocational center includes manufacturing equipment and instruction from skilled-trade professionals.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.
