Bootstrap, LVTI to join forces

LYNN-Operation Bootstrap Director Donald Edwards wants the lights on after hours at Lynn Vocational and Technical Institute.With all of the resources and job training material contained within the walls of the city’s vocational high school, Edwards sees a place that can provide a service to more than just students in the city. That is why he is proposing a program called North Shore Pathways, which will offer job and academic training for low skill and immigrant adults in Lynn.Edwards, along with Mary Sarris of the Workforce Investment Board and LVTI Director Brian Coughlin have been working closely with one another on the project, and presented the plans to the School Committee Thursday night.”The project is in cooperation with the School Department to offer better training for low-skill adults, over the age of 16,” Edwards said. “We have resources in the city, but some of these kids don’t reach the prerequisites to get in to North Shore Community College. This will be a program for these kids to get skills they need for a seamless transition to their GED, school or a better paying job.”The programs would cover basic skills, including English classes for immigrants, along with training in the four critical industries identified in today’s economy; health care, construction, financial services and durable goods manufacturing.Edwards said biotechnology and computer courses could also be added, along with food service, specifically baking classes. Edwards also said that math and science courses for students could be added down the road if the program goes well.”Don’s vision is to take senior level students and begin to introduce them to skills and career pathways,” said Sarris. “Immigrants struggle to earn a living will have the opportunity to receive advanced training and become able to get higher paying jobs.”Edwards said the plan is to start out small, with academic classes two days each week and vocational courses the other three. At first, there will only be two-three vocational classes to gauge interest and “get the bugs out of the system,” but it could eventually expand.He wants the program to run for 30 weeks each year, and hopes to get it off the ground in February.The courses would be taught by a combination of Bootstrap and school employees and would be paid for entirely through grants and donations. Edwards said they have already raised $20,000, but the program itself has a total projected budget of $166,000.”One thing that I have heard is that Voc Tech used to have vocational classes pretty much running around the clock. I want to see that again, and you will see an immediate impact with more citizens entering the workforce,” he said. “We will start with one or two classes, and then as we go on move up to critical mass at a later time. In the back of our minds we have the Mercedes Benz model, and that would be offering math and science for kids also.”Coughlin said he is more than willing to offer his building and faculty for the courses, and indicated that programs like this have been in demand for some time.”I am excited about the opportunity to make Lynn Tech a part of this effort,” he said. “I receive inquiries on a regular basis from immigrant parents looking for vocational training in the evening, so I am excited to partner with Bootstrap and I look forward to seeing lights on in the evening and adults from our community here learning.”Edwards said the organization is in the process of looking at funding options, and hopes to have the program under way in some capacity after the New Year.