Crisco Tells Task Force to Support Vocational/Technical Schools

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. testified before a special task force convened to assess the state’s vocational/technical high school system in support of the program. 

Two of the state’s 20 vo/tech high schools are in the 17th district  Crisco represents, including in Hamden.

The Connecticut Technical High School System Task Force was created earlier this year with two primary objectives: to maintain and strengthen the existing regional vocational-technical school system and develop stronger ties between regional vo/tech schools and nearby community-technical colleges.

Connecticut has 18 regional technical high schools and two aviation mechanics programs in the statewide system. The hearing addressed issues such as how the state should fund them and to what extent, and what should the enrollment structure look like.

The first hour of the hearing was reserved for elected officials, and the rest of the hearing will be reserved for members of the public.

Legislation passed during the 2011 session created the task force to study the finance, management and enrollment structure of the regional vocational-technical school system. The schools offer core academic subjects and a variety of vocational training courses, including construction trades, manufacturing, barbering and hairdressing, architectural design, computers, automotive repair, culinary arts and others.

For more information about the schools and the courses they offer, visit the Connecticut Technical High School System website.

“The vo/tech high school system continues to be a key factor in Connecticut’s economic development and will play a vital role in our state’s complete recovery from this economic downturn,” Crisco said. “Its apprenticeships, internships, and job-training programs repeatedly provide employers and prospective employers with a highly qualified and experienced workforce.”

Crisco said state funding appropriated for vo/tech schools must be delivered, because the return on investment is irrefutable.

“Beyond the bricks and mortar construction and maintenance of our vo/tech schools – which cannot be overlooked or shortchanged – and adequate supplies for labs and workshops, it’s vitally important for these students to be trained on modern equipment with access to the latest information and technology,” Crisco said. “Those who fill tomorrow’s jobs must not be brought up using yesterday’s standards – if Connecticut is to compete for those jobs in the 21st century these schools will have to prepare them to step into them seamlessly.”

Crisco said recent legislation has improved the vo/tech system at the state level in terms of administration and budgeting and at the local level in terms of staffing and transportation. The task force is required to complete its report to the General Assembly by Jan. 15.