Comments on: How Can We Promote Blue Collar Careers?

By: tradesmeninsights

tradesmeninsights — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 01:46:31 +0000

Thanks for your insights. Hopefully in this country the tradesman will once again gain the respect they deserve

By: Bernard Feder

Bernard Feder — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:39:13 +0000

Well put. We both share the same market niche and we talk with our clients about this problem all the time.

Europe has a far better attitude and respect for streaming high schoolers to trades. There is no stigma attached to going into a trade there. Moreover the quality of trade schools and apprentiship training in Europe is also a factor that contributes to this respect.

Many of the founders of the largest hi-tech manufacturers in our region were founded by European trained trades people. They are all retiring now and it’s hard to see who will fill their shoes.

By: John Sonnhalter

John Sonnhalter — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:32:20 +0000

Thanks for the comments. I’ll get it out to the groups I know about and to the manufacturing groups as well. If you know of associations with in your industry please pass it on.

By: Matt Nelson

Matt Nelson — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 04:00:43 +0000

I would put a call to action out to the industry groups to promote the opportunities in the high schools. I know my professional society is using career fair to talk up the benefits of becoming an HVAC Engineer at local engineering fairs but I don’t know if other societies are targeting the K-12 the same way.

I know there is a need for explaining blue collar options because I once had a mechanical superintendent who was working on a high school remodel get pulled into a classroom by a teacher looking for different career paths for her students to learn about.

I think the problem is that students don’t always know their options. They need to be made aware. And Awareness is the first step.

By: Skip DeVilling

Skip DeVilling — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:36:00 +0000

John, excellent article and Joe Lamacchia’s blog is right on target. I agree there is a sometime misguided emphasis in the US school system geared to who goes to college and who doesn’t. As businessmen, we have an obligation to get involved in a mentoring program with the local schools to maximize an individuals potential, which includes the professional trades. We need to recognize the passion of the student and have programs that encourage them to pursue their interests and “be the best they can be”.