Recently, I announced that I am joining one of my colleagues across the aisle to promote the ‘21st Century Education Initiative,’ which would create a class of high school diplomas called Career and Technical Education (CTE) Diplomas.

Let’s face it, this economy is tough on everyone and is especially difficult for our young adults, who are struggling to find jobs after high school and college. What I find interesting is that when you talk to the job creators in manufacturing and hi-tech manufacturing, they want to expand and need to employ new workers, but they struggle to find people with the qualifications they are looking for.

Employers need individuals with skills like welding, machining, plumbing, electrical work and carpentry. These skills are the backbone of New York’s economy – they support manufacturing and construction – industries that get New York’s economic engine running.

Many of our young people are exceptionally gifted at working with their hands, and programs like BOCES are necessary to prepare and train these kids for the workforce. Sometimes, however, kids can become discouraged by the difficulty of Regents courses in high school and by the stigma attached to technical degrees. It is my hope that the new CTE Diplomas, which will carry as much weight as Regents Diplomas, will dispel the stigma and allow these students to succeed academically.

Our efforts to create the CTE Diploma will give these kids the marketable skills needed to attain good jobs. Education is for everyone – and just because a student isn’t on a path bound for college doesn’t mean that their unique skills aren’t valuable.

To me, the 21st Century Education Initiative is a solution to prepare our kids for this job market and this economy. Although our economy has been difficult for many New Yorkers, I am excited about the opportunities available to help so many young New Yorkers start their adulthood with job prospects and economic choices.

Please share your ideas about the economy and education by calling my office at (315) 493-3909. You also may send comments to blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us.