penalizing the sending schools financially. “CTE would be funded from a different bucket, so schools wouldn’t lose money when they send kids there,” he says. While traditional educators might push back, Musgrave is optimistic that the bill will pass. Musgrave is particularly passionate about reshaping how educators perceive technical education.“We’re working to make sure every student gets introduced to these programs by at least seventh grade,” he says.This initiative includes mandatory field trips to CTE centers to expose students to the opportunities available in the trades. However, changing attitudes toward technical education remains an uphill battle. Musgrave reflects on his own experience, noting that the have already begun integrating various technologies into their daily operations.“The things that seem to resonate most with our members are apps that allow you to track where workers are on the job site,” he notes. Another popular technological advancement involves apps that store and display training records. Musgrave contrasts the new system with the old days when workers had to carry small cards proving their certification.“Now, anyone with a phone can access the platform and verify that they have the required training if OSHA shows up on site,” he explains. Beyond construction sites, the association is also heavily involved in addressing technological changes in other industries that impact its members. Musgrave touches on the trucking sector, which has seen significant transformation. “We’re working aggressively with agencies and trucking companies to address commercial driver challenges,” he adds. These partnerships help navigate the ongoing shift in logistics and transportation, ensuring that the construction industry is equipped to meet its evolving needs. ADDRESSING THE STIGMA AND BARRIERS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION Musgrave highlights another critical issue: the state of Vermont’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. While these programs offer valuable pathways into the trades, they face challenges hindering enrollment. “We’ve got seats available, we’ve got capacity,” Musgrave says. “But right now, there’s a financial disadvantage for a school to send students to a technical center instead of keeping them in their high school.” The issue stems from Vermont’s centralized education funding system, allocated per pupil. Schools lose $16,000 in funding for each student they send to a technical education center.“There’s no incentive for them to send kids to CTE, so they just keep them in school, and sometimes they graduate, sometimes they don’t,” he explains. This funding structure creates a significant barrier to getting students into programs that could prepare them for trade success. The AGC/VT is advocating for a new bill to bifurcate the funding system. Musgrave believes this change will help fill the seats in these programs without 77 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 09 THE ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF VERMONT
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