ST. PAUL – Though our economy is strong and unemployment is low, State Representative Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) said there are many employment opportunities available in various job sectors. Unfortunately, many current high school students are unaware that they exist.
To rectify this, he is working on legislation that’s intended to inform high school students about these career options and connect them with job providers.
“We’re trying to make it so military recruiters, skilled trades and manufacturing representatives can get into our high schools and talk to our students about the career opportunities that are available,” Rarick said.
The proposal contains a number of provisions designed to improve a student’s knowledge about these career alternatives. These include requiring school districts to give representatives of the Armed Forces, skilled trades and manufacturing the same access to students that are granted to colleges; and encourages school counselors to explain their career options and benefits to future graduates.
“There’s a constant push to send everyone to college, yet we have such a demand for workers in these three areas,” Rarick said. “I’m hoping to get the information out to our students so they know what the future possibilities are and can find out just how successful they can be in those careers.”
The bill Rarick supports was recently included as part of a comprehensive Education Policy bill that will be debated on the Minnesota House floor in the days ahead.