The learning gets a little loud in Don Robinette’s classroom at the Monongalia County Technical Education Center.
All those clangs, rattles and chonks, you know.
That’s because the space at the center on Mississippi Street is more shop floor than classroom.
Robinette teaches welding at MTEC.
It’s likely in coming days that the heavy metal being generated by such programs will be transformed to a heavenly choir – for the benefit of students who want to join the workforce but don’t necessarily want a four-year stint in college.
A bill that would allow West Virginia students to open a tax-free savings account for trade school or other vocational pursuits is now on Gov. Jim Justice’s desk awaiting his signature.
The legislation, which has cleared the House and Senate – unanimous approval from both – allows students to make tax-free contributions up to $25,000 in account that goes past tuition in its job description.
It would also cover business start-up costs if the student wanted to go alone.
That, plus the costs of tools and other equipment, along with certifications and licenses needed for the respective line of work.
State Treasurer Riley Moore is a proponent of the bill, known as the Jumpstart Savings Act.
The lawmaker formerly worked as a welder, but said he couldn’t make anything stick when he tried to start a contracting business.
“I found out very quickly how expensive it can be,” he said.
And how discouraging, he added.
The bill, the treasurer said, “will truly help us build up our blue-collar workforce and rebuild our middle class.”
It also brings new sparks to community technical education across the Mountain State and Mon County.
The technical center on Mississippi Street is slated to receive three new classrooms for high-tech pursuits.
All that, plus the district’s Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan, which calls for construction of a new high school in Mon County exclusively for STEM – science, technology, energy and math.
Robinette, who last year was honored by West Virginia-based Explore the New Manufacturing group for his work as a vocational instructor, said he likes it when students see the light of opportunity along the sparks.
Two summers ago, he watched as then University High incoming freshman Jamiere Evans etched a stylized “J” out of metal, employing a plasma cutter, which is a high-tech tool welders and others use.
“I wouldn’t mind doing this all the time,” said the student, who was participating in the school district’s “Summer Snowflakes” learning program.
“We get them checked out with the gloves and helmet and all the safety things,” the instructor said.
“Then we cut their creativity loose.”
TWEET@DominionPostWV
