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Feb 5, 2012

Technion Encouraging Haredim To Join The Workforce

There are two approaches to encouraging more haredim to join the workforce (or the army for that matter). One approach is by making it easier for them to do so - granting benefits, assist them in vocational training where possible, maybe even tax benefits for a period of time, etc. The other approach is to force them to be normal like everyone else. It is their own problem, of their own making, and they have to learn to act like normal people.

I personally am in favor of the first approach. Sure, it means coddling a bit, and sure it seems a bit unfair to others who don't get those benefits, but sometimes that is what is necessary for effecting change.

According to The Marker, the Technion has created a program for training haredim in the field of Geodesic engineering. They say there is a shortage of engineers in this field.

To attract 40 haredim to the field, they created a program to teach the core curriculum that is necessary for a year, and then 3 years of engineering school. The cost is 9300 NIS per student, and that is covered by "the Joint", along with a monthly stipend of 1500NIS.

They admit that the studies will be difficult, and that while they are creating this great program to attract haredim, they are not compromising at all on the level of study, and even say it is entirely possible that out of the group only 15-20 might complete it.

We should see more and more of such programs being created..

4 comments:

  1. But isn't the problem that the best and brightest do fine sitting all day and learning, and it's those who aren't geared for such an "academically-intense" day who need an alternative?

    This is by the way why the charedi community is constantly recruiting "baalei teshuva" (at least new to being charedi) to be its spokespeople and other professionals - the highly gifted are kept in learning and basically do fine.

    ReplyDelete
  2. not all the best and brightest stay in learning. for a variety of reasons.

    ReplyDelete
  3. plus just because you are not the best guy at gamara does not mean that you can't have other strengths, maybe some of the other guys could do well in this program.

    I agree with them not relaxing the standards, by graduating unqualified people you are doing no one a favor.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hmm seems an odd choice. is it safe for Charedim to be learning Geodesic engineering.

    ReplyDelete

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