I started this as a reply to Blackburn's Draft thread, then realized I was wandering pretty far off topic, so I thought I would present it as a seperate topic for discussion...
How about some form of combination service and education.... NOT COMPULSERY, but as an alternative to Colllege for those who can't afford or are not ready on a maturity level for college.
1> Your time would be split between hands on productive work and formal classroom education in your field.
2> For your effort you would recieve food, housing, work uniform and a small amount of disposable income.
3> Your services (work time) would be leased to private industry to help pay for the program.
4> You would be in a supervised environment with a strict code of behavior, any major or consistent violation of which would result in expulsion from the program
5> Education part of the program would take place at a large campus where many different fields are taught, similar to a traditional college, but with a MUCH more structured environment.
6> As the finnal portion of your training you would do an internship, at subsistance wages, for a federal, state, local, or public agency approved by the program.
The program would not even have to be run by the gov't, if an industry could figure out the economics to make it work for them they could run their own program, or it could be done at the state level. In reality though it would probably have to at least start with the gov't. Cost would be at least partly offset by reductions in welfare, unemployment, and crime, as well as an increase in the GDP and worker efficiency.
An example:
Aviation:
1> You could enter a program where in, say 6 years, you could earn either a degree in Aeronautical engineering or your commercial pilots license depending on your course of study.
2> During your time in the program you would wear your provided flight suits to work and to school, be fed at a cafateria, and live in a dorm
3> During your work times you may be leased to Boeing, Delta, an electronics company, etc... or work for the Air Force, NOAA, state police, FEMA, NTSB, etc.... If working for a private corp. they would feed and house you during this portion of your training.
4> You would be required to abide by a strict code of basic conduct and dress determined by the program as well as any requirement mandated by a private corp. you may be leased to. Any major or recurring violation of these standards would result in expulsion from the program.
5> You would recieve intensive classroom and other traditional training at a military accademy style campus during your study time.
6> After a period, say 5 years in this case, you would be obligated to work at subsistance wages for the Air Force, NOAA, state police, NTSB, civil air patrol, or the like for a period of one year after which you would recieve your degree or license.
A different example:
Carpentry:
1> Program could be, say 2 years, and would result in a associates degree of some kind or a contractor liscense.
2> 6 months building fed., state, or local infrastructure
Or...
Intrest in cars
1> 2 year program for mechnic certification from manufacturers or 6 year program for automotive engineer
2> 6 months maintaining gov't vehicles or 1 year leased to a manufacturer most of your pay going to fund program
Diving
1> 2 years = comercial diver cert or 6 = marine biology degree
2> 6 months or 1 year working for NOAA, Dept. of Interior, Army Corps of Engineers or leased to private industry
Computers
1> 2 years = technical degree or 6 years = Bachelors Degree or 8 years = Masters or 10 years = PHD
2> work obligation varies according to amount of education recieved.
With some work this type of program could be adjusted to fit most professions. The numbers and times would obviously require a lot of thought to make it work, but with the effort I think it could be made be self supporting and it would definitely result in a more well round, mature, and produtive work force.
Of course this WOULD NOT BE MANDITORY, but it would likely be a viable and attractive oportunity for many young people.
Unfortunately this would probably never even recieve serious consideration from the gov't because it would reduce people dependence to gov't aid programs and we all know if they don't have that to hold over peoples heads they don't feel safe.
