Page 3 - JobReady: November 2017 Issue

Board Member's Update

ccording to the Bureau of Labor almost every case, it’s better for the
Statistics, the two fastest- individual, and it’s less expensive to Keith Vire, Ph.D.
A growing occupations in the the taxpayer. Career
country are Home Health Aides and So why, if this is such a critical Education and
Personal Care Aides. BLS projects the need, don’t we see more of a focus on Workforce
Development
need in these two careers will increase expanding the field of direct support? Board Member
by 70% over the next few years. In The main reason is that, in the job
real numbers, it’s estimated that we training and development arena, we
will have to add 2.8 million workers by tend to be drawn to those occupations
2020 to meet the growing need. The that will offer folks the potential for critical point, it has never been more
reasons are perhaps obvious; as our higher earnings, or at the very least, important that we focus our attention
population ages, more and more of us a living wage. Providing care for on developing and expanding the field.
will need assistance to function in our individuals who have disabilities or To meet the growing need for direct
homes and communities. for the elderly has historically not support workers, we must focus our
From a state and federal budget been among those occupations— efforts in two areas: First, we must
standpoint, it makes sense for us people who provide these supports create those recruitment and training
to increase our efforts to provide are notoriously underpaid and don’t programs to prepare a new wave of
recruitment and training in this receive the respect that such an support professionals. Second, we
critical area. For every year that an important role deserves. This becomes must continue to lobby and fight for
older person can remain at home, a “chicken and egg” question. Are adequate wages for those who choose
the savings to the taxpayer is these jobs not respected because they to enter the field. This is important,
significant. The cost of supporting don’t pay well, or do they not pay well and we at the Arkansas Department
individuals who have disabilities in because they aren’t highly respected? of Career Education must take the
the community is but a fraction of Because the need is obvious, and lead in creating a new and well-trained
the cost of institutionalization. Home because the shortage of trained and workforce.
and community-based care are one willing Home Health and Personal
of those rare win-win situations—in Care Aides is already reaching the

Program Spotlight: Career & Technical Education

rkansas Career and • Future Farmers of America • HOSA-Future Health
Technical Education (CTE) (FFA): FFA makes a positive Professionals: HOSA empowers
Ahas adopted a bold new difference in the lives of students to become leaders in the global
national vision for career and by developing their potential for health community through
technical education. This vision premier leadership, personal education, collaboration, and
was developed by the Advance growth and career success • experience.
through agricultural education.
Technology Student
CTE to emphasize the critical role • Family, Career and Community Association (TSA): TSA is a
that CTE plays in our nation’s Leaders of America (FCCLA): national organization of students
educational advancement and FCCLA promotes personal growth engaged in science, technology,
economic competitiveness. and leadership development engineering and mathematics
The technical knowledge, through Family and Consumer (STEM).
workplace skills, and real-world Sciences education. • SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA is a
experience gained through CTE • Future Business Leaders of partnership of students, teachers,
prepare our current and future America (FBLA): FBLA prepares and industry working together
workforce for the high-skill, high- students for careers in business. to ensure America has a skilled
wage, high-demand careers so • DECA: DECA prepares emerging workforce. SkillsUSA helps each
leaders and entrepreneurs for
student excel.
vital in today’s economy. careers in marketing, finance,
Arkansas CTE provides career- hospitality and management in
related guidance to the following high schools and colleges around
student organizations: the globe.

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