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Council recommends expanding VocTech/Hewitt programming to meet local labor demand
Summary
Councilors urged an expansion of vocational and evening programming at the Hewitt (VoTech) center to supply plumbers, electricians and other trades needed for local development and to create career pathways for young residents.
Councilors identified vocational training as a near-term priority to supply skilled tradespeople for local construction and employer needs. Multiple speakers pointed to the Hewitt vocational center as a local asset to be expanded into evening and post–high-school programming.
“Those the people in that age group…once you get out of high school, if you're not going to college, you're going to the service,” Councilor Soussides said, adding that students trained as plumbers or electricians could earn six-figure incomes within a few years of apprenticeship. The council also noted a significant pipeline of construction activity this year, with one speaker citing roughly $100,000,000 in building permits as evidence of growing local demand for skilled workers.
Councilors asked the school department and vocational partners to develop costed proposals for expanded programming and to report back to the council in the weeks ahead so the items can be considered during department budget presentations.
