Franklin High School presentation to FHS families        Sept 14, 2021

Good evening! I’m really excited to see all of you here today! And I want to say “Thank You” in advance, for a few minutes of your kind attention.

My name is Ken Wells, and I’m the President of a new non-profit called “NH Forward”. NH Forward’s mission is to develop an on-ramp to great careers in NH, with a pathway to the fast-lane of NH’s high-tech economy.  This “on-ramp” starts in high school and provides the advantages of the industry-sponsored “Dual Education System” as implemented effectively in many European countries. We have found a way to unite the strengths of our state’s robust educational resources with local entrepreneurial spirit and technical know-how. To accomplish this goal, NH Forward has been coordinated Franklin’s educational, industrial, financial and governmental entities, and together with the folks you see here (and a couple that couldn’t be with us tonight), we are excited to tell you about this apprenticeship pilot program in Franklin. It was launched last January, and now, in its first full academic year, Franklin High School is offering four courses in Advanced Manufacturing that can be taken for college credit.

Last week I was able to speak to your sons & daughters at the school, and this is what I said:
“Don’t wait for life to just happen to you, hoping something good is going to come along and fall into your lap. Take decisive steps to make good things happen for you, right here at Franklin High, this academic year!  In the next few minutes we are going to show an on-ramp for a successful career, without having to spend a lot or go into debt to get there. And I’m going to introduce you to some folks who are willing to help you succeed, because they need you to help them succeed.”

[Introductions: each presenter will stand up and give 10 second identification]

You might have heard people say that “Education is the key to Success”, but sometimes today in the USA we forget that education isn’t just about the “3 R’s”: Readin’, Writin’ and ‘Rithmetic. Think of Education as a mighty software upgrade for your brain, a chip-tune that helps you learn more things faster, and also gives you “how-to” experience. I think back to when the Industrial Revolution was taking off, back when the city of Franklin built its prosperity by making goods using water power! Back then, the know-how to accomplish that wasn’t only about the “3R’s” education. Education then, and now, also includes all the technical knowledge and experience it takes to take good ideas - inventions - and make them into things. Franklin High School’s new program offers a way for you to get that education and experience at no cost to you!

I recently served in the NH House of Representatives. Before that, I was a teacher for 37 years, teaching robotics, mechanical engineering, physics and math. And I’ve worked in a couple of skilled trades - I know what I’m talking about, because I’ve lived it, and I’ve guided hundreds of my students toward their eventual careers.

It helped me that I went to school and took a lot of academic classes along the way, but I also got a huge boost in my education by learning HOW TO DO THINGS AND MAKE THINGS, gathering experiences and building upon them. For example:

My first job after graduating from a tough Pennsylvania steel-town high school was as a union laborer on a truck assembly line. Three older co-workers named Mike, Mary and (interestingly) Franklin showed me the ropes.  Three years later, I was using the practical experience I gained there, to show a bunch of really smart college professors how to repair a damaged 80-ton instrument in their nuclear research laboratory, that they’d just hired me to work in. One of those same college professors (with whom I shared an interest in drag racing) then introduced me to fancy math and got me started on computer programming. These days I’m “busily retired”, but I like to spend a few weekends every summer as a pit crew member, diagnosing and fabricating whatever will make our team’s racecar go faster.  I’m still learning tips and tricks from the old timers who have been around the track much longer than I have. In many industries, a seasoned expert will take in a younger person to ”learn by doing”, and this traditional mentoring system has a name - it’s called Apprenticeship!

Today I’m here as the president of a non-profit group of educators, industry leaders, financial experts and government leaders, some of whom are here with me today. We’ve been working together to create an industry-sponsored apprenticeship program here in Franklin and we are excited to have you all join in!

Let me say that again a different way: “There’s a new apprenticeship program here in Franklin that industries pay for, and you students are all eligible to get started on building your career now, while you are still in high school!”


What’s the best way for a young person to transition from high school to making a living? There are different answers for different students, but the best options involve more education, with paid high-skill training and mentorship from the student’s employer.

You students will definitely come out ahead if you just skip job-surfing the Gig Economy, and focus on launching your CAREER. And you are in LUCK, because you are at the time of your life, and in an unusual high school, in an unusual town where there are lots of people around you who can help you launch that career! And a bunch of them are in the room with us today...

Now, why is having a CAREER better than just having a job? In a career, you will have a job with an employer, but your job with that employer can change and grow with you, because you also have a complete set of skills and training. Coming into that job, you will own a degree or certificate that you earned by taking college courses and while working as an apprentice. That credential is proof that you did the work, passed the exams and have the on-the-job experience.  Whereas in an ordinary job, you’ll get maybe a couple weeks of training to run a machine or something, but you don’t have enough education to adapt if the industry outgrows its process and changes, so if that happens, you’ll get laid off, and you’ve got little to show for it.

Maybe you already know that NH’s most important, fastest-growing sector is Advanced Manufacturing, sometimes known as “Smart Manufacturing”. This kind of manufacturing is largely computer-based, and has advanced a whole century beyond the old days when manufacturing was “dark, dirty and dangerous”. Today, manufacturing is even bigger in NH’s economy than retail - it accounts for about one-eighth of all the money that changes hands in our state! Lucky for you - Franklin is home to several of these Advanced Manufacturing industries, and they want to meet you young folks!

Maybe you’ve heard that there is a workforce shortage these days, especially for highly-trained experts with Associates Degrees in new technologies. Education is the key to solving this expert workforce shortage, and with me today are representatives of Franklin industries (Mike Mulvalley, from Watts, PCC Structurals, Kendra Arruda) who are interested in forming a strategic partnership with you: they’ll pay your way through tuition and training, and you get a launchpad into a hot 21st-century career with their company! You both win!

Maybe you’ve seen videos of computer-controlled robots machining, assembling everything from aircraft parts to electronics, and from flow control valves to solar panels. Who are the highly-trained technicians who give those robots their instructions? Who knows how to test and adjust the “smart” machinery so it consistently produces the best high-value product with the least waste and cost? And who in those companies will bring in important new ideas and innovations to modernize the manufacturing process, giving that company an edge over all its competitors?

You will. And that is why the industries will pay your way through your community college, pay you while you work on your apprenticeship, and offer you a real career upon your successful completion of the program.

So don’t wait for life to just happen around you. Grab this opportunity to jump-start your career, right now, right here in Franklin High School. This is a brand-new program, up and running successfully since January at Franklin High School.

The Franklin apprenticeship program is unique; it’s modelled on the European “dual system”. “Dual” because it combines both classroom education and on-the-job training. It’s the famous system that trains all the technicians employed by companies everyone has heard of, like BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Audi. You will be the first students in NH to be able to join this program. You will be able, right in your FHS building, to take courses for college credit, knocking out as many as 12 credits on your way to a 60 credit Associates Degree in Advanced Manufacturing at Lakes Region Community College.

After high school graduation, one of these Franklin manufacturers will look at your great performance and offer to take you on as their apprentice. They will pay your tuition while you finish up your degree or certificate, and also give you a paycheck while you complete your on-the-job-training on their site. As you reach milestones and meet industry standards, you can expect your compensation to increase until you have finished both your coursework and your on-the-job training. Finally, with successful completion of the program, you should have four things: 1) and Associates Degree in Advanced Manufacturing, 2) an internationally recognized certificate for having completed your apprenticeship, understood and valued all over the world, 3) a solid job offer for a career-track job with your sponsoring company, and 4) this is really important - NO DEBT.

In Europe, where this system has been in place for generations, a wide range of industries, from banks and manufacturers, to hotels & restaurants, look to their apprentices to grow to become their middle managers, their vice-presidents and even their CEOs, because these are the people who know their industry from the ground up. Every job, every process, all the marketing and business skills were part of their comprehensive apprenticeship training. They are the most expert technicians in the world, and you can join them.

So, let me ask one of our industry friends to tell us about the careers at the end of the rainbow, then I’ll ask our educators to tell us about the path to the Lakes Region Community College from Franklin High School, and after that we will be happy to answer your questions…

[A text-only version of the Foreword is below. Click here to see the full 60-page version with graphics, or cut and paste thus URL in your browser. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YpU_U48Qpj4nCM0f0CC4d2fcCiWG40SVCzQWyXsWJj0/edit?usp=sharing]

A Renewable Energy Future for New Hampshire
An Action Plan with a Focus on Demand and Consumption
 (  Oct. 13, 2020 )

Foreword (Robert Backus, Peter Somssich, Ken Wells) 
The best time to plan for the future is now.  Despite our current issues surrounding our  health in the pandemic and our severely depressed economy, we nevertheless must not fail to plan for our children and grandchildren’s future, and that of our state of New Hampshire.  
In 2018 many of this paper’s authors were involved in producing the white paper: “A 100% Renewable Energy Strategy for New Hampshire’s Future”.  Its purpose was to be a counterpoint to the “New Hampshire’s 10-Year State Energy Strategy Plan” issued by the Governor’s office in April 2018.  We felt that the plan was grossly inadequate and just endorsement of the status quo. Our white paper was intended as a tool to inventory all of the NH home grown renewable energy resources that our state already had available.  Our state has many realistic opportunities to increase our readily available renewable energy supplies, with offshore wind installations and importation of onshore wind and hydropower.  Our 2018 white paper also emphasized the desirability of increasing energy efficiency by all users.  It focused primarily on in-state electricity generation and usage.  But electricity generation accounts for only 45% of the energy that our state produces annually. In this 2020 Action Plan we will focus instead on the much larger amount of energy that is consumed in New Hampshire, which is about evenly split between transportation, residential power and home heating, and commercial plus industrial consumption.
In this 2020 Action Plan, we will outline a framework for a comprehensive energy plan. We will discuss why certain components are important to such a framework, and what actions have already been undertaken, or should be undertaken to promote a path to a 100% clean, renewable energy future for our state.  
A framework for action on our state’s total energy demand must begin with a vigorous attempt to reduce our energy use for electricity, heating and transportation.  Since such actions will have an impact on our state utilities, we must find ways of providing the kind of incentives to them that encourage them to partner with us in such an effort.  Hand in hand with our effort to reduce our energy demand, we must support in-state development of renewable energy sources, whether by industrial users, municipalities or residential/community efforts.  All energy generators using renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydro and biomass, should be allowed to sell their energy at a fair price into the main grid. In parts of our state where the energy resources and demand are poorly matched, forming collaborative microgrids or “energy islands” could allow adjacent municipalities or regional entities to cooperate. By creating a local microgrid, they will be able to attract new and support existing businesses, while creating new jobs and reducing the financial burden to taxpayers of the combined municipalities.  Furthermore, pursuing the possibility of using energy storage facilities to complement intermittent energy generators, allowing energy to be stored for that time when it is most needed, must be part of any New Hampshire energy independence and reliability effort.  Our vision of New Hampshire’s transportation system must also change to anticipate more electric cars and trucks, as well as vehicles powered by compressed gases such as propane and hydrogen.    
During the past two years the NH legislature has attempted to promote numerous initiatives to move us forward on our path to a renewable future.  Unfortunately, most of these efforts were blocked as the result of partisan politics and a resistance to change.   Any action plan needs to recognize the political and practical realities in New Hampshire, so that we know how to begin.  Most of us can agree that a clean, renewable and sustainable energy future is our common goal that we all share.  However, different people define the terms “clean”, “renewable” and “sustainable” somewhat differently, so the co-editors suggest that we begin work to standardize our language about these concepts.  For example, a “renewable” energy source should be one that, with proper management, will not be depleted over time and will continue to be available. Such a definition precludes fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, and also nuclear energy as it is currently deployed. A “sustainable” energy source is one that will continue to be available, at a price including externalities such as health and environmental impacts, that society deems affordable. That is why an energy source with volatile prices, that faces depletion, or builds up a toxic waste product is not sustainable.  Finally, most people would agree that a “clean energy” source is one that neither generates climate-endangering greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. CO2 or methane) nor creates any other hazardous consequences.  
Because not all of the authors agree on the preceding definitions, and because we wish to be practical with our recommendations for actions, some of the proposals related to energy may not seem to be in total harmony with an action plan which hopes to have as its goal, not just a clean energy future, but a 100% sustainable and renewable energy future for our state. However, one area where we all agree completely is the great potential inherent in Energy Efficiency in improving all aspects related to energy.   We want to emphasize that a renewable energy future continues to be our goal, but our long journey must begin from our current reality.  
We have recruited a group of authors with specific knowledge and expertise in energy topics, to explain the importance of these areas for our state, and to suggest actions that effectively address those areas. This action plan does not represent a consensus view of all the topics discussed, but gives voice to several points of view that are part of clean energy’s political reality.  That is why the author of each contributed section is clearly identified; they are representing their own view. When a specific author is not listed, that section was contributed by the coeditors, using the various sources cited. Despite these shortcomings,  we believe this action plan provides a good resource for policy-makers and lawmakers to use in setting a course toward our energy future.   The authors recognize that climate change is already occurring and prompt adaptation to this fact is imperative.  But they also see adaptation as a positive economic opportunity, because New Hampshire's aspiration to a 100% renewable energy goal will bring new opportunities and benefits to all the people of New Hampshire, while mitigating and perhaps helping to reverse the global effects of climate change.


The cheapest watt of energy is a "negawatt" - a watt of energy saved. Because that saved watt was not lost, was not purchased, and was not produced, energy efficiency produces “negawatts” that are the lowest-hanging fruit available to us.                       
- Reps Balch & Mann 

KDW for the Beacon Oct 15, 2020

As I write this, we are on the brink of what I’m sure will go down as one of the most-talked-about elections of our time.

The United States of America, despite its struggles and faults, is arguably the oldest and most successful democracy on the planet today. A crucial feature has been our long tradition of expanding free and fair elections to all our citizens, regardless of race, gender or socio-economic standing. It has not been a smooth road, however. To ensure that all of us can continue to participate in the voting that is central to our democratic republic, all citizens should take an active role in our democracy and vote!

Your vote DOES matter!
If you are a person who has never voted before, whether you have recently reached voting age, or recently become a naturalized citizen of the United States, or have simply never chosen to exercise your right, now is the time to play your consequential role in this important process. There is same-day registration at the polls; just bring your ID (proof of age, domicile and citizenship) and ask the friendly poll workers to guide you to the Supervisor of the Checklist.

New Hampshire Leads the Way
New Hampshire is justifiably proud of its important leadership in the process of choosing our leaders and policymakers, and in underscoring the power of the people in ensuring the smooth transfer of power from one election cycle to the next.  New Hampshire is well known for hosting the first-in-the-nation primaries, which affords anyone who wishes to get involved an unsurpassed opportunity to meet the prospective candidates of every party, ask them questions directly, and inform them of our views on issues that are important to us. This last one is perhaps the most unique opportunity we have in our state - as the first voters candidates see on the campaign trail, we get to influence the candidates’ stump speeches and platforms in their earliest, formative stages.

There is another reason we New Hampshirites can take pride - we have about the highest voter turnout in the nation, according to electproject.org. Of all the states, only Minnesota consistently bested New Hampshire’s admirable 72.5% turnout of eligible voters in the past three presidential elections. New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner takes pride in this figure, saying his goal has been to make New Hampshire the easiest state in the Union to cast your vote in.

Cast your Vote!
It is important that every American citizen casts their one ballot and participates personally in our “government of the people, by the people and for the people”. Be an informed voter, and fill in your choices for all 14 offices on the ballot. Here in Andover many volunteers have been working hard for months to enable us to do just that. The New Hampshire Attorney General reviewed the Andover team’s work for the September primary election and deemed it “an excellent operation.” Since this spring, there have been months of teleconference discussions and training between the NH Secretary of State’s office and the sworn moderators, town clerks and supervisors of the checklist of all 221 towns and 13 cities in New Hampshire.

The widest possible range of options were made available for Andover voters to cast their ballots:
    ⁃    You could vote in-person on November 3 while wearing a mask, using the north door of the Andover Elementary / Middle School polling place.
    ⁃    You could vote in-person without a mask, using the south door of the AEMS polling place.
    ⁃    You could vote early by requesting a ballot to be mailed to you, and then returning the ballot either by bringing it directly to the Town Clerk or through the mail. (However, it must arrive by 5pm on Nov 3 to be counted!)
    ⁃    You could use the drive-through voting option offered on October 24 or 31 at Andover Town Hall.
    ⁃    Absentee ballots can also be obtained and cast at the curbside voting station on Election Day.

Note that the official ballot and absentee ballots are identical. Every ballot is marked “Absentee Ballot and Official Ballot” and is placed in the ballot box before counting begins. Care has been taken that your right to vote by “secret ballot” has been protected.

As COVID-19 has necessitated further expansion of our right to free and fair elections, the state of New Hampshire has responded promptly and conscientiously. In every case, the customary checks and security measures are observed to ensure that each voter is on the Andover voters checklist, or that new voters have gone through the usual process involving identification and voter registration. New Hampshire’s election procedures, and particularly Andover’s all-paper secret ballot system are the result of literally centuries of experience in making democracy work. Be sure to be part of it and VOTE!

Ken Wells candidate profile for Beacon


As your current Representative in Merrimack county District 1, including the towns of Andover, Danbury and Salisbury, I have worked hard on issues that affect us all.

Principal among these is the unfair and unconstitutional way that New Hampshire relies on property taxes, taxing people in different towns at unequal rates for essentially identical properties. Moreover, the state’s habit of “downshifting” its constitutional obligation “to provide adequate education” not only places extra burden on towns, but has had a growing effect over the years at driving young people and young families away from NH. Today, 62% of NH’s high school students leave the state seeking education and opportunities. Most never return, and other young people are not coming to NH in equal numbers to live and work. This is an ominous trend for NH’s future that policymakers must address.

An issue personally important to me and to most NH people of every political stripe, is protecting the quality of NH’s natural environment. The natural beauty of our forests, mountains, streams and lakes, plus the wildlife all around us is vitally important to our quality of life, whether you are an avid hiker, kayaker, rider, hunter or fisherman, or if you just like to take it easy and enjoy the scenery of a beautiful day. Moreover, our region’s natural beauty and resources are important to so many of our livelihoods, as we rely on tourism and forestry to make our livings.

I’m proud of my votes to help keep our property taxes in check and significantly increase funding through revenue sharing for our towns, our schools and our University system. I’m proud of having voted for Paid Family Leave to help families cope, especially vital during this pandemic. I’m proud that I have been able to use my extensive experience and background while serving on the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee. I have been the author of a bill to give loggers equal protection to landowners under the law, two bills to get the sneaky influence of “dark money” out of NH government, a bill to reduce both pollution and people’s energy bills by pushing for improved technology and efficiency on the electric grid, and a bill to “level the playing field” so that new NH energy enterprises have a chance against subsidized fracked gas from out of state.

I’m happy to have used my influence to do good and to bring people together in spite of their initial positions of conflict. I used that influence to compel internet companies to engage with the Danbury Broadband Committee, ultimately succeeding in an agreement to provide high-speed internet to every household in Danbury. (I’m currently working on the same for unserved parts of Salisbury.) I also have brought together people of both parties, and from industry and education, to begin building an industry-sponsored apprenticeship program, so our young people can continue their education after high school and launch their careers without incurring debt, and even collect a paycheck as they learn on the job.

Please have a look at my website electkenwells.org to read in detail about how I have worked for you the past two years. There’s much that still needs to be done! I respectfully ask for your vote so I can continue to represent your best interests in the House of Representatives in the upcoming session.