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Rep. Bud Cook (R-Washington/Fayette) joined Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin for a tour of the old shop and home economics classrooms at California Area High School to emphasize the importance of the lawmaker’s Training for Trades initiative.

“Within the 49th District, the Mon Valley, two of our major problems are unfilled jobs and blight,” said Cook. “The 49th District was once a hotbed for trade-based jobs. Steelworkers, coal miners, railroad workers, carpenters and electricians were all predominant throughout the region. Trade-based jobs can offer competitive pay and benefits, but most young people moving into the job market today are unaware, ill-equipped and unprepared to pursue these occupational opportunities.”

It is estimated that by 2020, 80,000 jobs will be available within the trade industry nationwide, but a lack of experience in trade-based jobs will keep those positions vacant. A major component of Training for Trades is to establish partnerships with school superintendents, teachers, union workers and municipality leaders to promote the implementation of trade-based programs and curriculum at the local level.

“As was demonstrated to Secretary Davin today, many schools cannot afford to offer students the possibility of learning in this capacity,” said Cook. “In a society where more and more people are opting to move straight into the workforce instead of college, this lack of experience proves to be very detrimental to their employability. By implementing Training for Trades, school districts will improve because more graduating students will stay in the district, so tax bases will increase as blighted properties are inhabited and renovated. Lastly, and most importantly, individuals and their families will experience an increased quality of life, and will not be compelled to find work outside the 49th District.”

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