46th District Candidates: Alternatives to a Four Year College
By: Blake Long
Updated: October 30, 2012
In the race for the 46th district state
senate seat, Republican Pat Sullivan is facing Democrat incumbent Dave Koehler. Recent
reports question whether a traditional four year college is the best
fit for most students. We're asking the candidates if more should be
done to come up with alternatives?
Dave Koehler:
"ICC does an excellent job of training workers in terms of its very specific locations. We now see that District 150 has implemented a program at the old Woodruff High School. We need to do more of this, and we need to prioritize, making sure at the grade school level that students understand that there are some other options. Yes, college is still a good choice, for students who want to do that, who have the means and the wherewithal to be able to go to college. But, if you don't go to college, doesn't mean the end of the world. You should be able to get into a vocational training program, and you should be able to have the skills necessary to be a productive member of society."
Pat Sullivan:
"I really believe that some of the two year schools, could be looked at, and some of these schools I helped create an apprentice program for the carpenters and floor covering many-many years ago. We have to start looking at different jobs for different people and educate them anyway we can. When we do bring jobs back, when we do lower the taxes, we do stay in our budget; we'll have more jobs. We have to have the right people working at them."
Dave Koehler:
"ICC does an excellent job of training workers in terms of its very specific locations. We now see that District 150 has implemented a program at the old Woodruff High School. We need to do more of this, and we need to prioritize, making sure at the grade school level that students understand that there are some other options. Yes, college is still a good choice, for students who want to do that, who have the means and the wherewithal to be able to go to college. But, if you don't go to college, doesn't mean the end of the world. You should be able to get into a vocational training program, and you should be able to have the skills necessary to be a productive member of society."
Pat Sullivan:
"I really believe that some of the two year schools, could be looked at, and some of these schools I helped create an apprentice program for the carpenters and floor covering many-many years ago. We have to start looking at different jobs for different people and educate them anyway we can. When we do bring jobs back, when we do lower the taxes, we do stay in our budget; we'll have more jobs. We have to have the right people working at them."
