My City May 2022

MYFUTURE

Dened as an occupation that requires a particular skill set, knowledge, or ability, ex amples of today’s skilled trade professions include: carpenter, electrician, plumber, mason, farmer, painter, train operator, aircraft maintenance, licensed practical nurse (LPN), respi ratory therapist, landscaper, chef, welder and machinist, among others. Most experts pinpoint the decline of skilled trade professionals to take place during the early 2000s and cite four reasons why.

any other viable alternative being presented to them. 4. Baby Boomers began to retire (with more to come). e average age of persons working in skilled trades today is 55. When they leave, will there be any one left to do those jobs? e young adults gradu ating from high school today can easily ll these roles. It is important to let the younger generations know that there are alternatives to the standard four-year college experience that can lead to a successful life. In fact, learning a trade triumphs over the traditional college route in ve respects: 1. Skilled trade jobs are in high demand – it is estimated that nearly 75% of trade school graduates end up doing the exact job related to their degree or certicate. 2. Better job securi ty – e majority of trade jobs are represented by a union and today’s scar city of workers can lead to

Plumber

BRIDGING THE GAP: Refocusing on SkilledTrades BY PETER HINTERMAN T here was a time when people aspired to make a living in a skilled trade. Plumbers, electri cians, carpenters and others provided for their families successfully and looked forward to training their successors. Today, the skilled trades are a forgotten art practiced by an older genera tion now shifting out of the workforce without anyone to “hand the wrench” to before they leave. The shortage of skilled trade workers is becoming a significant problem as it is estimated that for every three who retire, only one takes their place. Over a million skilled trade positions in the United States remain vacant de spite high unemployment and the shortage is beginning to affect the government (building projects, road work, etc.) and consumers. For example, it is not uncommon to have to wait nearly six months to get a new roof installed or begin building a house. Skilled trades will always be needed by society and civilization. So, what happened? Where are all the tradesmen and tradeswomen?

Andrei / stock.adobe.com

Nurse

1. Elimination of skilled trades from high school curricula – shop classes, elec tronics and more have been cut. 2. e Great Recession (2007-2009) put many trade companies out of business with none taking their place. 3. Social pressure and the “college-or-bust” belief of Gen X, Millennials and their parents – many falsely believed that those without a college degree were “lesser” individuals. Children of the ‘80s or ‘90s believed that they MUST go to college without

Painter

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