It Takes a Village: We Need Your Help to Close the Skills Gap
My name is Mandy Mills, Director of Career
& Technical Education (CTE) for Rowan-
Salisbury Schools. I am a Rowan County
native and a product of RSS. A significant part
of my position is working with community
partners such as our local community college,
economic development, the chamber of
commerce, and employers to make sure we
are putting programs in place that will produce
the workforce that is needed in our county.
Viewing Rowan County from this perspective,
has made me grateful to hold a position that
is impactful in helping students realize, just
as I did, that Rowan County is a great place
for them to live, work, and raise their families.
Although our economic development team and
our county commissioners work hard to attract
new industries to Rowan County, there is still a lot of work to be done. More
industries increase opportunities for competitive wages for the citizens of
Rowan County. However, these efforts will be in vain if perspective employers
do not believe that we have the workforce to fill these jobs.
Skills Gap
A skills gap exists when there are opportunities for employment but the
people who need jobs are not qualified for the jobs available. Contributing
to the skills gap is an even bigger one - an awareness gap. Our community,
along with many other communities across our state and nation, are not
aware of the opportunities available. For the last 30 years, we have paved a
single path to success - a four-year degree. Many students leave high school
and go to college because they think that is what they are “supposed to do”
in order to be successful in life. As a result, only a fraction of the students
who start college finish college, and only half of the students who finish
college obtain a job that actually requires a four-year degree. On top of
that, student debt acquired to complete that degree has now grown into the
trillions.
Defining Success
In RSS, we want students to have experiences that allow them to find their
passion and then engage in that passion in order to make a living and
contribute to the community and the economy. If that passion requires a
four-year degree, then by all means pursue it, but pursue it with purpose. In
a recent student panel composed of RSS graduates, students recalled being
urged to attend a four-year school and felt like individuals that chose a path
other than a four-year degree were viewed as less successful. Students who
decide to seek a certificate program, two-year technical degree, or attend a
community college as a transfer student in order to save money should not
be considered less successful or treated as second class citizens. If we can
change the perception that success and a four-year degree are synonymous,
we will see the current skills gap shrink.
Today’s Youth
How many of you have ever heard, “Kids these days are lazy and entitled?” I
am begging our community to think differently. This generation of students is
very intelligent and resourceful. They have had information at their fingertips
since they were born. They ask why, not disrespectfully, but because
they know there is probably a better way. When this generation wants
something, they go after it with passion. Our job as parents, educators,
future employers, and community members is to give them the exposure and
experiences they need to figure out what that passion is. I recently attended
a national conference where I had the opportunity to hear Mark Perna, author
of “Answering Why, Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger
Generations.” Mark said, “There are two ways to look at young people today.
You can look at them as a challenge to be overcome or you can look at
them as a tremendous asset and resource to be unleashed in your home, in
your classroom, or in your place of business. And if you look at them in the
second way - as an asset and a resource, they will provide an unbelievable
impact to
what you
are doing.”
How Can
You Help?
Be involved.
See our
youth as
the assets
that they
are and
help us
provide
them
with the
exposure
and
experiences
they
need to discover their passion. Students need to explore their aptitudes
and interests at a young age so that their time in high school can be spent
gaining experiences and confirming their interests. How can you help?
n Come into our schools and talk to students about careers in your industry
n Help educators figure out what aptitudes students might show at an early
age that would predict success in your industry
n Work with educators to develop real life problems to solve
n Attend a career fair
n Be a mentor
n Host a job-shadow student
n Allow high school students to intern in your facilities
The awareness gap can only be closed and the narrative can only be changed
if the entire community works together. If you are interested in partnering
with us to close the gaps, please visit www.cterowan.com and complete the
Potential Community Partner Survey.
Mandy Mills, Career & Technical Education Director
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
5th graders join NC Symphony
Our dynamic Rowan-Salisbury 5th-graders had the opportunity to join
professional musicians from the NC Symphony in February at Catawba
College's Keppel Auditorium. Students from across RSS listen to the
symphony and played a few tunes too. Such an exciting experience for
our children!
Parent Teacher Magazine • March/April 2019 • 9