Vo-tech discussion continues

Last year local business, education and government professionals gathered in Luverne to discuss a career and vocational education program.
The discussion is now expanding to include parents and students.
Ed Elbers, a retired businessman and former sheriff, initiated the November 2014 discussion, which resulted in a 2015 legislative proposal to fund a pilot project.
The $1.5 million request was not funded.
“We are working on the request again,” said Sen. Bill Weber, Luverne.
Although this coming 2016 session is not a funding year, Weber said supplemental budget requests will be reviewed, due to the state’s budget surplus. Some of the extra funds may be earmarked for education, he said.
If the extra funding occurs, Elbers wants to be ready with plans for a vocational education program in Luverne.
“I think we are on the right foot to get a program started here,” he said.
Elbers, new Luverne Superintendent Craig Oftedahl, business owners and representatives from Minnesota West Community and Technical College met last month at the high school.
After a tour of the school’s upgraded industrial arts and agricultural education areas, the group formed a list of technical skill positions needing workers.
The list included plumbing, welding, electrical and construction businesses where young workers are needed right out of high school.
With the needs identified, the local group wants to find students interested in earning high school credits while learning skills for a specific technical skills job.
“We are trying to create some real positions for students and fill a need in our community,” Oftedahl said. “I think there are some possibilities that can be explored.”
The group plans to meet again this month.