Windsor HS uses new course to assist with workforce development

WINDSOR (WBNG) - Over at Windsor Central School District (WCSD), the Applied Economics in Manufacturing course is the latest addition to the high school this fall.

“Cornell contacted us, along with the Alliance for Manufacturing and Technology, about a partnership looking to get into K-12 education in order to assist workforce development. We had this project idea underway and then this just became the perfect opportunity,” said Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Scott Beattie.

Beattie said it satisfies a requirement for graduation, but it’s also being used as a tool to create a pipeline to get more students interested in the field.

“It’s a non-traditional approach to economics education,” said Beattie. “We’re starting off slow in terms of learning some economic theory. We did manufacture some Adirondack chair this summer so kids are kind of reverse engineering that to figure out what exactly went into it. We have a field trip scheduled this week to go to Buckingham so students can get out and start to see the manufacturing world.”

When it comes to the manufacturing world, Beattie talked about the need for more community interest here in New York. “When you look at workforce development, manufacturing is one of those areas that’s in need of employees,” he said. “It’s important to have really a K-12, college, and employer connection to fill in that void.”

Overall, Beattie sees this course as a launchpad to the vast career opportunities within the industry. “The exposure to hand tools, the actual creation of chairs, understanding the economics of running a business. So there’s multiple pathways actually within this one course that kids get exposure to. If they choose one of them, it’s great,” he said.

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