Straight from elementary school, all of us are taught to think about what we want to be when we grow up – our future. And yeah, when you’re a child, all of this sounds amazing – hence you see kids wanting to be firefighters, policemen, chefs, etc., etc. The dream.
But yeah, we adults know better. The reality of it all is that from the very first day, you’re actually being taught (being prepared) for the job. You learn to listen, you learn to pay attention, you learn to be in one place for 8 hours straight, andyou learn routine.
But not every state does this with the same approach. Sure, they might start off with a similar path, but then they slowly begin to diverge.
Kentucky and Minnesota are great examples of this. States like Kentucky tend to have more flexible/local systems, while states like Minnesota go for more of an early career structure type of program, plus they tend to have higher standards.
Basically, the main difference lies in how education connects with job preparation, which tends to lead to the same amount of knowledge but with different degrees/qualifications.
Even though there are various paths, they are leading you to the same positions through different systems.
How Education Turns Into Work in Kentucky
Starting with general education, everyone needs to later on states like Kentucky to focus more on the local and community needs. That means that what locals need, or lack, is what is wanted.
Without an early specialization, young people mostly start working part-time with friends or parents. They build skills through practice and learning, which is the moment when education takes a back seat.
Mentorships are a massive help if they’re available when you have an experienced master of a specific trade teaching you not theory but practical work. And not only the work, but also how the entire business operates.
Think about it – a hairdresser won’t just cut hair, they’ll also communicate with clients, take reservations, take appointments, go for extra specializations, dye hair, and semi-manage the workplace – all skills required to successfully run a job. You can’t learn that by reading a textbook.
But it’s also important to choose a profession/path that interests you. This is a huge help that often gets undermined because people opt for higher-paid career paths rather than working in what they love.
This type of approach places focus on local trust and flexibility, because you’re already, while learning, working in a local business, familiarizing yourself with future clients.
Why Education in Minnesota Is More Closely Tied to Job Preparation
In contrast, Minnesota has clearly defined pathways. It’s not that it doesn’t focus on local needs, but it has a better structured alignment with job preparation and workforce development.
Through schooling, it’s always highlighted that in order to work a specific job, you need certain qualifications, which isespecially represented in Minnesota.
Many paths demand, if not fully educational programs such as university degrees, other job-specific training and qualifications. Focusing on skill development and knowledge, rather than having certain skills before hiring.
As a result, you get the job based on your defined skills and licences, whereas employers rely on standards and your preparation.
Sometimes, it sets higher expectations when having to perform in your job, when all you did was theoretical learning withoutreal-life cases. So, preparing and having some practice alongside will lead you to more qualified roles.
Not to mention, education doesn’t stop after employment. In today’s world, it has become even more common to revise and continuously prepare as jobs are more demanding than ever. Ongoing education has become a necessity, and many employers send their best workers to further education. This goes hand in hand with all the various responsibilities employees have.
Here is a quick example of when it is important to continue your education:
Let’s suppose you opt to be an electrician, you have passed all your tests and have a qualified licence. In order to be up to date, each state has its own models of renewal cycle.
On that note, in states that have more structured and uniform models, you’ll have to be introduced to those rules and regulations.
Here’s a quick example to emphasise why that’s important:
Minnesota electrical continuing education training lasts 16 hours and needs to be done every two years (biannually) in order to keep your license valid.
Whereas, in states like Kentucky, electricians who are once licensed must complete around 6 hours of continuing education every year to renew their license.
All in all, analyzing two states that have different structures and education systems, each state prepares its workers according to its needs.
Minnesota makes sure workers have the proper education and experience before hiring, placing emphasis on preparation.
In contrast, Kentucky puts emphasis on local needs and has less formal structures. Promoting local needs and knowledge acquired through mentorships.
In the end, both systems will end up having experienced workers with all the skills and capabilities necessary. But the question that remains is whether they’ll continue to improve their work and knowledge, or will they become stagnant at some point.
So, in order to prevent the unwanted, the best solution for states is to take what is working and is indifferent to them. Whether it is introducing more flexibility into the educational structure or putting more focus on qualifications.
In the end, the goal is to create a skilled and educated workforce.
The Lit Bitch 