Edelblut's new program approach creative, gives students options March 5, 2020

To the editors:

I read with great interest state Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut’s Op-Ed, “A new path to careers for N.H. students” (March 4). Our current system isn’t broken but intrinsically evolves to meet the demands of modern life. If we never tried a new approach, then our children would be learning in one-room schoolhouses. Now, wouldn’t that just be silly?

Leveraging existing resources to give our students an advantage is something every parent wants and what our education system does. The commissioner’s approach is as innovative as it is needed to address the systemic disconnect between high school, higher education and career pathways. Associated Builders & Contractors of New Hampshire/Vermont, an association representing our state’s leading construction employers, applauds such creativity.

We need to encourage students to consider careers like those in construction. Under this model, a student could obtain skills for in-demand, high-wage jobs in electrical, HVAC, welding or other trades, at no cost to themselves or their parents. That kind of creativity puts students in command of where, when and why they will go to work for one of the hundreds of New Hampshire companies hiring today.

Joshua Reap
President and CEO
Associated Builders & Contractors of NH/VT
Concord