The legislation would give greater priority to funding for maker education, makerspaces and training for teachers through an amendment to the Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act.
“Not everyone chooses to go to four-year school, and it shouldn’t take a four-year college to earn a good salary,” Gillibrand said, speaking at a news conference inside BOCES makerspace center. “There are also companies that are saying they already have openings for good jobs with good salaries for graduates of programs just like this one. But they can’t fill those jobs because they don’t have (the skilled individuals) to perform those jobs.”
BOCES’ makerspace is a project-based, hands-on learning center equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as 3-D printers and laser-cutters as well as common tools such drills and saws. Students there are encouraged to explore new ideas using individual creativity and innovative approaches.
Joining Gillibrand in support of the legislation was Broome County Executive Jason Garner and Steve Trichka from BAE Systems.