Training Can Start Here

Every state and community have a hook. The hook is what gets people to live there and the driving force of the economy. In Florida and Hawaii, for example, tourism is that hook. A lot of tourism jobs are filled by locals and people come from all over to take advantage of industries and jobs related to that hook.Here it is agriculture. Farming, ranching is the hook for Nebraska. The related fields include insurance (crop, etc.), mechanics (fixing machinery), sales (seed, equipment) and so much more.In Nebraska, manufacturing is the second biggest hook in the state. There is a lot of industries tied into agriculture in Nebraska and in this region, there is Endicott Clay, MetalQuest, PVI, and all the way down to small mom-and-pop machine shops. We have an excellent FFA program in the state. I think we need to bolster manufacturing training at the high school level. Welding, engine repair, drafting, and more need to be explored from about eighth grade forward. Some kids may not want to go on to college, and may want to go right to work after high school. Some may want to go to Milford, get a degree and begin in the workforce.Yes, housing needs to be addressed but having properly trained employees for these firms should be first priority. If the governor can shift any money in the education budget, I think furthering manufacturing education is imperative. Like manufacturing, there are many cogs to the machine that all need to work together in order to keep the machine moving forward. Housing in the community, fair wages for employees, amenities in the communities for those employees, safety for the families of the employees, education, healthcare, etc., etc., are all important factors, but the first thing is to get the kids interested now, not later, in manufacturing careers.Fairbury has an industrial park that could be filled with small industries and could employ many students from area schools that have had enhanced training from the school system.Is this a priority for area businesses and schools? Let’s find out.

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