Tracey Proposes 'School to Work Pipeline' For Students

Submitted by the campaign for Republican mayoral candidate 'Big' Steve Tracey:

"On Wednesday, East Haven mayoral candidate “Big” Steve Tracey unveiled his “School to Work Pipeline” proposal, which aims to supplement the Town’s education system by expanding curriculum to better prepare students interested in jobs in manufacturing and the trades.

Tracey explained, “Unemployment is at a record low and local businesses and manufacturers, especially those dealing in the trades, are constantly searching for employees with practical skills. My goal is to create a ‘School to Work Pipeline’ with a custom, hands-on, practical curriculum that will prepare students who are interested in pursuing jobs in manufacturing and the trades.”

Tracey added, “It’s a ‘win’ for everyone involved. Students will acquire valuable skills that will make them immediately employable out of high school if they want to be. At the same time, the pipeline will address local businesses actual hiring needs by giving students skills tailored to meet those needs.”

According to Tracey, the pipeline will be built on the concept of educators working with local manufacturers and others to build custom programming in the school system to give students the skills that are necessary to pursue careers in high-tech manufacturing or the trades.

Tracey added, “By pairing with local businesses, we will be able to create a custom curriculum for students interested in learning practical skills in manufacturing and the trades that will make them more valuable applicants and employees when they enter the workforce. The current job market for these types of skilled positions is very competitive and giving our students an early edge after high school is important to their future.”

In addition to expanding programming within the district, Tracey also discussed bringing a trade school to the community as a top priority and as a supplement to expanding offerings in the town’s high school.

Tracey continued, “I also want to bring a trade school campus to our town to help not only these young students but also adults in East Haven who are thinking about changing careers. Trade schools for emerging technologies as well as traditional jobs benefit not only students but the community as well by offering paths to meaningful, good-paying jobs.”

Tracey added, “It is clear to me we that have the vacant land and other commercial space available to attract a trade school campus to East Haven. This idea will be one of my highest priorities if elected as Mayor.”

Tracey concluded, “I will always work with the Board of Education to put as many students as possible on the path to higher education. However, we need to do a much better job giving students alternative routes to meaningful, good-paying jobs. If elected, I will work to build a ‘School to Work Pipeline’ so that students interested in skilled manufacturing jobs and jobs in the trades can get the skills they need to obtain meaningful, good-paying jobs.”

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