Career and Technical Education

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I visited several schools in Finland in 2015 as part of a school trip. There were a few things that really struck me. One was the fact that becoming a teacher in Finland was as competitive as becoming a doctor. Another was that students were in control of which teachers they had—they literally got to choose their teachers. And finally, I was impressed with the equal value and prestige placed on both the academic and vocational tracks. Something like 40% of students choose a vocational route and there was no stigma attached to it. 

For years in our society, a technical education has been viewed as less valuable than a college education. I will admit that there was even stigma attached within our own school system for those going to the tech school. For years we never even filled our seats that were allocated to us at our regional tech center. I’m proud to say that now our student interest outstrips our available seats. 

That stigma is fading, especially since the pandemic. Suddenly there was a shortage of plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and builders, and people realized how valuable those things are. Labor costs have soared. Many tradespeople are making more money than white color workers. The tide is shifting, and the question is whether we can keep up. All jobs in our economy and society play a role that help make the whole system work--they’re all valuable. 

My guest today is Bobby Deetjen, the director of the Mid-Coast School of Technology, which is the regional tech center that serves numerous school systems in midcoast Maine.