Industrialists demand not to implement a reform that will reduce level of technological education

The government is scheduled to discuss today and decide on a reform in the technological education system. According to the proposal, the prerequisites for acceptance, the number of hours of training and the number of examinations in technological education under the responsibility of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs will be significantly reduced. The model submitted for Cabinet approval was not discussed at all with the Ministry of Education and the Council of Technicians and Practical Engineers. There was no consultation with representatives of the industry, which is supposed to absorb the students who will undergo the training.
In an urgent letter sent by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Prime Minister Netanyahu and cabinet ministers in the middle of the week, they expressed vehement opposition to the proposal regarding the formalization of the technological education system, which is due to be approved by the government on Sunday.
Among the signatories to the letter are the President of the Manufacturers Association of Israel, Chairman of the Israeli High-Tech Association, Chairman of the Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industry, Chairman of the Kibbutz Industry, Chairman of the Association of Consumer Industries and Construction, Food.
Industry leaders, headed by President Shraga Brosh, made it clear to the Prime Minister that they would not hire workers who had undergone low-level technological training. "The advanced Israeli industry does not need or absorb human capital that does not have proper training," they wrote in their letter.
The government is expected to vote on the reform on Sunday. The heads of the Association made it clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that "the approval of this proposal will lead to a reduction in the level of employment in the fields of technology in industry, and will significantly harm the significant competitive advantages of Israel's industry, innovation and technological leadership. With the full cooperation of industry and academia, in terms of technological training content and scope, in order to establish a high level of technological human capital in Israel, which will enable the continued growth of Israeli industry and the economy as a whole. "
The industry leaders also asked the prime minister to keep the responsibility for the training of practical engineers within the Ministry of Education, and not to transfer this responsibility to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. "This proposal, which is the subject of the technological education system in Israel, has serious implications for the level of technological human capital in Israel and its adaptation to the needs of the economy, industry and even the defense establishment." We believe that the full responsibility for technological education in Israel should remain in the hands of the Ministry of Education, Education in Israel. The industrialists oppose increasing the activity of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs on technological education. "
Industry leaders also strongly criticized the reform and did not discuss it at all with the professional echelons of government, academia, and industry. "The proposal for reform is brought before the government for approval, without a single professional discussion with the Ministry of Education or the Council of Engineers and Technicians with regard to the scope of the required training, the admission criteria, the number of exams, etc. The proposal was not coordinated with Israeli industry, which is the main employer of the future talents."