A Note From Our Director

THE TRADES

The CRTC presently provides 10 diverse programs to prepare students for successful professional and/or trade careers.  Our focus is to empower student to find passion in a pathway and in doing so, go on to higher education and then on to a successful career. As Director, I need to carefully present our offerings as the many adults based by their past knowledge and experience, believe we only offer basic trade programs. Students on the other hand, clearly know we offer a mix of programs including: Health Science, Information Technology, Teacher Preparation, Criminal Justice and Graphic Arts; in addition to Fire Science, Auto Technology, Construction Technology, Cosmetology and Culinary.  The days of offering basic courses are long gone.  Of interest, is that the line between trades and professional careers has clearly blurred as both involve extensive modern skills and intense education.  For example, the majority of our Culinary and Fire Science completers go on to four years colleges while there are a few Health Science completers who pursue 2 year certificates in such specific career areas as radiological and orthopedics technicians.

The trades are at unique and urgent crossroads in the state of New Hampshire that goes well beyond just how they are perceived.  Last Wednesday night I spoke to two local industry leaders: Norm Bellerive, from Propane Gas Association of NNE, Paul Domingue from Palmer Gas, and Darragh Madden, President of Irish Electric.   All three provided a common story that I hear in all my regular discussions with regional industry leaders.  They have a very significant need to hire quality skilled trade employees and they simply cannot find them.  Their pay, benefits, and job stability are all very good; yet the pool of applicants is almost non-existent.  Norm emphasized to me that the average age of NH skilled gas technician is 58!   What I witness on a daily basis, through our daily program and also through our middle school summer camp programs, is that students love the trades.  Yet that passion can degrade or is marginalized as the students progress on in their educational career.  We CRTC recognized the need to partner with the NH Community College System, local trade schools, businesses, and industry associations to innovate and make these skilled and demanding pathways come alive.

My final comment from our Auto Tech teacher Scott Mayotte who was an A TECH (highest level technician) for Volkswagen.  His is vocal in how dynamic a career you can have in this field, and that is should never be underplayed.  He reflects on how technically and educationally demanding this career pathway is (think computers, hybrid engines) - and how grossly satisfying it was for him on a both personal and financial level.  

Steve Rothenberg
CRTC Director