News

A coalition of educational advocacy groups in Massachusetts claims the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education use criteria that allows exclusionary admissions practices at vocational schools which is affecting students of color, native English speakers, economically disadvantaged students and more.

Our union is committed in its mission of recruiting and retaining a diverse membership, and our partnerships with community organizations dedicated to diversity in the trades have been particularly valuable in this process.  However, the one area of recruitment that falls, disappointingly, short in helping us continue to grow a diverse membership is recruitment from Massachusetts vocational schools.

Of the current 34% minority apprentices in the Carpenters program, a mere 1% have come from Massachusetts vocational schools. The increasing drop off in numbers of vocational graduates seeking entry into trade programs, which is now at an all-time low, is of great concern.

“I wonder how many students are not being given the opportunity to pursue a well-paid career in the construction trades due to an intake process which excludes them from this opportunity,” said Tom Fischer, Executive Director of the NASCTF and a member of the coalition taking action.

It’s crucial that Massachusetts high school vocational programs find solutions that will lead to an increased and diverse enrollment of students in the skilled trades at the time of graduation.

“In some vocational technical high schools in Massachusetts, more than 70% of graduates are attending college as the next step in their careers,” added Fischer. “Given the tremendous need for skilled trades and the potential for high earnings in those trades, seats, which are limited, should be given to students who have a true desire to pursue careers in trades such as carpentry.”