Re-establish trade schools and open new facilities for training adults who are not college bound.
I believe we should re-open many of the trade schools that used to exist in the District. All high school aged children are not college material. By doing this, it can encourage more enterpreneuership. We also need to consider providng more free training facilities to teach adults a manual labor skill, such as brick masonry, carpentry, roofing, etc. These individuals could be trained and put to use in turning some of the abandoned properties in this city into usable, viable living space for themselves as well as low-middle income individuals and families. This way you are instilling a new work skill and getting unemployed people off the streets.
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Mariah commented
Back in the day, your H.S diploma also gave you a marketable skill if you took "trade" classes. In Europe, at 16yo to graduation, half the day is academic and the other half is apprenticeship which not only teaches you from a pro, but also gives you working experience and a letter of recommendation. We need to utilize this idea. THEN, if you want to go to college, you can work your way through with a marketable skill. Also, this would cut down on crime.