AFT working with Micron to develop certification program in NY schools

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her multi-city bus tour focused on addressing literacy in schools and what they’ve done during the tour as part of Banned Books Week. She also talked about a grant the AFT received in partnership with Micron to develop a high school pilot program to provide workforce certifications to students.

Earlier this week Weingarten and the AFT gave out nearly 45,000 free books to students and educators in Missoula, Mont. as part of their Banned Books Week and multi-city Get Out The Vote bus tour. A large part of the AFT's mission has been to raise awareness for literacy in schools and improve access to educational resources. Weingarten said that the bus tour addresses learning loss and literacy rates nationwide and provides free books to students and educators. 

Today, however, Weingarten is in Syracuse, N.Y. for a roundtable on career pathways in the chip manufacturing industry. She discussed a grant the AFT received, in partnership with Micron, from the U.S. Commerce Department that will help create career pathways in the advanced manufacturing industry. The AFT is the only union to receive this type of grant so far. The new certification programs will be available to students in 10 schools during its testing phase. Weingarten said the AFT has been working with Micron to extend the certification programs created in Syracuse to Minnesota and Michigan. 

Weingarten said too many high schools that should be teaching students to prepare for future careers, have turned to college preparation. These schools need to offer more alternative opportunities. She added that programs like the one in Syracuse could change that dynamic and offer students a debt-free alternative to college. She talked about the efforts to provide enrollment programs like certification programs to high school students as part of their curriculum. With jobs being created in new industries, Weingarten said high school curricula should prepare students for a career and not just prepare them for going to college. 

Learn more about the certification program in Syracuse by listening to the show above.