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US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Visits Newburgh Free Academy
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Mr. Schweizer’s class on Friday to discuss Career and Technical Education programming. Mr. Schweizer teaches Architecture, Engineering, and Design and is the Chief Advisor for NFA’s Concept Vehicle Racing Team.
NFA Senior, Chase Conklin plans to become an Architect and spoke about his experience with various CTE course offerings during his time at NFA. “This choice is a cultivation of everything I have learned while being involved in NFA’s several CTE programs and opportunities. Design and Drawing for Production, Basic Construction, Computer Repair, and Welding are just the basic courses I’ve taken, while there are many more such as Auto-Mechanics, Auto-Body, and Carpentry, which even have second and third year courses available. My interest in Architecture has come from passion, unlocked talent, and a realization that either one of these programs is a direct link to the advancement of our rapidly progressing technological world. Being able to intertwine creativity and design using professional tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and construction/modelling software is what society will always be in need of, because nothing can surpass the critical thinking of a human mind.” Chase Conklin, Senior at Newburgh Free Academy
Chase received cheers and applause from classmates in the audience when he referenced the Newburgh Free Academy Concept Vehicle Racing Team placing 7th in a worldwide competition in April of 2017.
More than 377,000 students statewide, including close to 6,500 high school students in Orange County, currently enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Training could benefit from this Legislation. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Newburgh Free Academy to announce her bipartisan legislation, the 21st Century Strengthening Hands On Programs that Cultivate Learning Approaches for Successful Students Act. This bill would direct federal funding to high-tech training and education programs in high schools and institutions of higher education, which would give more students the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to get good-paying jobs in the high-tech manufacturing sector. U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) is a cosponsor of this bill.
“We are pleased to have Senator Gillibrand in district to share educational initiatives surrounding some of our programs. We currently offer sixteen CTE programs and will explore opportunities to offer more in the future. These cutting-edge programs give Newburgh scholars an authentic look into various careers. Our graduates leave us career and college ready!” Dr. Roberto Padilla, Superintendent of Newburgh Enlarged City School District
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to hear from Senator Gillibrand about legislation that may provide a direct impact on our scholars to feel empowered and become future ready – now. A strong technical and working knowledge of technologies like 3D printers, laser cutters, and computerized machine tools are skills our students are currently developing in anticipation of becoming successful in rapidly growing industries around us. The topic of Career and Technical Education is an important one. We currently offer sixteen CTE programs and constantly explore opportunities to offer more in the future. These cutting-edge programs give Newburgh scholars an authentic look into various careers. Our graduates leave us career and college ready.” Ms. Margaret Chesser, Assistant Principal of Newburgh Free Academy
Technologies like 3D printers, laser cutters, and computerized machine tools are transforming American manufacturing and increasing the need for specialized training for manufacturing jobs. To prepare our students with the skills needed for high-tech jobs, this legislation would amend the Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act to give greater priority to funding maker education, the development of makerspaces, and training for teachers in the application of maker education.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at the high school and community college level provide training and education for in-demand, good-paying jobs in a variety of industries from manufacturing to health care to computer programming. There were an estimated 377,000 students enrolled in CTE high school and post-secondary programs in New York State from 2015 to 2016. During this same period, close to 6,500 high school students in Orange County participated in career and technical education.
This investment in vocational education would give more students the technical skills needed for good-paying jobs, offering hands-on learning experiences for students to use high-tech industrial tools to create and innovate. This approach to technical education will offer more opportunities to inspire the next generation of manufacturing workers and entrepreneurs.
Media coverage:
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