In a previous article I noted four primary reasons for the increasing gap in the skilled trades workforce. A Lack of Awareness, Salaries and Debt, An Aging Workforce and Gaps in Skills and Training. Over the next several articles, I’d like to dig into each of these a bit more.
For this article, I’ll explore the lack of awareness around career opportunities in the skilled trades. And as a reminder, skilled trades refers to those jobs that generally do not require a bachelor’s degree or higher. These jobs generally fall under the headings of:
Manufacturing and Production
Construction and Infrastructure HVAC and Building Systems
Transportation and Automotive
Utilities and Energy
Fabrication
Technical Trades
After World War II and through the 1960’s and 1970’s “shop” classes, or technical classes, were a very visible part of the high school landscape in the US. In the 1980’s and 1990’s many high schools phased out shop classes due to factors that included a push toward informational systems and college prep curriculums. As the training in the skilled trades lost footing at the secondary school level, regional technical schools and community colleges emerged that offered technical training classes.
Today the career advice or counseling at the secondary school level is largely focused on career paths based on a college degree. The result of this is that many students graduate high school unaware of high-paying trade options or without having explored them meaningfully.
This, though, is changing. Efforts to promote skilled trades education are expanding, with increased investment in high school programs, state policies supporting Career and Technical Education (CTE), industry partnerships providing real-world experience, and a cultural shift recognizing the value of vocational careers.