[Jay B]

I would like to clarify my position regarding state and federally funded training programs.

I am 100% behind programs, even at taxpayer expense, that will take someone that either through no fault of their own such as a factory closing, or bad judgement or youthful indiscretion and teach them a skill that will enable them to gain employment at a decent job with a respectable paycheck. I feel that is WAY better then spending my tax dollars on welfare and unemployment and prisons.

What I do have a problem with is people being put through a program where they are not qualified to attain employment upon completion. The school I attended also has a program for diesel technician and one for heavy equipment operator. As far as I know there are less stringent requirements for these jobs as long as the individual is trained and qualified.

Thank you.

[Ridge Runner]

Originally Posted by Jay B

I would like to clarify my position regarding state and federally funded training programs.

I am 100% behind programs, even at taxpayer expense, that will take someone that either through no fault of their own such as a factory closing, or bad judgement or youthful indiscretion and teach them a skill that will enable them to gain employment at a decent job with a respectable paycheck. I feel that is WAY better then spending my tax dollars on welfare and unemployment and prisons.

What I do have a problem with is people being put through a program where they are not qualified to attain employment upon completion. The school I attended also has a program for diesel technician and one for heavy equipment operator. As far as I know there are less stringent requirements for these jobs as long as the individual is trained and qualified.

Thank you.

BINGO!!!

[Ridge Runner]

For fear of throwing gas on the fire I have to ask anyway:

Yes you did judge these people just by their backgrounds

What are we supposed to judge people by if not by their (past) actions? I'm judged by my past actions and decissions all the time. That's why I have gotten where I am today. That is why they have gotten to where they are. Even people that have a bad history can clean it up be doing good things and after a while their history will show more good than bad and then they won't have a problem finding employment.

[Uturn2001]

Won't make $30/hour here. Very economically depressed area. Unemployment rate in county is 6%, twice the state average. Dump truck drivers are lucky to get $12-15 and won't come close to a 40 hour week.

Well that is in your area, and your post was not addressing your area, it was addressing an issue with the system in general. However regardless of the actual wages in any area the premise still holds. Some of these people will end up getting the high paying jobs that for some reason others with more stable backgrounds could not.

Beyond that, even if there was a screening process, they would have to base it on federal and state regulations and laws, not based on the hiring practices of the industry. Yes I know, it does not seem to make sense, but that is the way it would be.

As far as the federal regulations go, no where does it say that a person with criminal offenses can not obtain a CDL and be employed as a commercial driver in some capacity. It is only after a person has a CDL that they can commit offenses that can lead to a lifetime suspension on holding a CDL.

[Ridge Runner]

Some of these people will end up getting the high paying jobs that for some reason others with more stable backgrounds could not.

I remember a few years back that the Federal Gov. was giving breaks ( tax and paying a portion of the wages ) to employres that hired from this pool of people.