Charles Langhorne, 32, graduated from Minnesota State University Mankato with a level in sports management in 2014.
Now, Langhorne said he’s looking forward to working under contract as a plumber, work he’s already began as an apprentice through St. Paul College. Working 40 hours per week while completing his five years of education, taking night classes twice every week, has allowed him to pay for his education as he gains experience in the sphere.
“It is a skill I won’t lose,” said Langhorne. “Once I learn it, I can at all times use it to generate profits for myself and have the chance to teach others, gain leadership positions.”
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited St. Paul College Friday to advertise latest laws to expand access to apprenticeships throughout the nation. Klobuchar also toured a variety of the varsity’s training areas, reminiscent of those for carpentry, automotive service technician, toolmaking and plumbing.
Klobuchar is hoping to realize support for her American Apprenticeship Act, which might offer tuition assistance for college kids in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and the Apprenticeships to College Act, which might help more students earn college credit for accomplished apprenticeships. The bipartisan laws was introduced last month, and if passed, would help combat workforce shortages in essential trades, she said.
“There are numerous paths to success, and straight away our country is crying out for people to enter the manufacturing and construction and the trades,” Klobuchar said. “My job is to seek out ways to make it cheaper to everyone, create those incentives, make it easier for businesses who’ve employees who wish to go into these areas and in addition for college kids to pursue these degrees.”
‘A stronger future’
In the course of the conference, St. Paul College President Deidra Peaslee said two-thirds of their students have experienced basic needs insecurity within the last 12 months, and the American Apprenticeship Act would help students complete their education and “construct a stronger future.”
“There isn’t a doubt that our students facing are facing more barriers of completion than ever,” she said. “When students’ needs are met, they usually tend to succeed. When students know their tuition is paid for and they’ll graduate with less or no debt, they usually tend to succeed. When students feel that they’ve an in-demand job that provides a living wage and growth opportunities after graduation, they usually tend to succeed.”
Noting that 92% of graduates of St. Paul College’s care and technical college programs find jobs inside one 12 months of graduation, Klobuchar said she sees the laws as a part of continued economic recovery from COVID-19.
Klobuchar also restated her commitment for advocating free of charge tuition at two-year community and technical colleges, a priority she touted often during her 2020 presidential campaign.
“We wish to satisfy make ourselves a rustic again that makes stuff that invents things that exports to the world,” she said. “That has at all times been our competitive edge, and it starts with our staff.”