College Continues to Lose Luster
The number of high school graduates that enroll in college continues to drop. Data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that in 2021 around 17.5 million students were enrolled in two- or four-year colleges and universities, a 3.2% decline from 2020 and the largest two-year decline on record. Although much of the dramatic […]
Talking Shop With A Trade Worker
In my last blog, I cited a survey showing 83% of trade workers expressed satisfaction with their work. It reminded me of conversations I had with one of them. Before Covid put an end to such fun, I used to gather with several friends to form a team for a weekly Trivial Night contest at […]
Most Trade Workers Love Their Jobs
An annual survey released in September found that 83% of skilled trade workers expressed satisfaction with their choice of work. This stands in contrast with numerous other studies that show workers in many other fields discontented with their jobs, a long-term trend that has been aggravated by the Covid pandemic. Skilled trade workers were attracted […]
The Skilled Labor Shortage By The Numbers
A common theme addressed in this blog is the nationwide shortage of skilled trade workers and the opportunities that spring from it for people who do opt for a career in the trades. Hardly a week passes when I don’t come across some startling information about this shortage. For instance, buried within an article in […]
How’s Your B.S. Detector?
I want to keep this blog family-friendly, so I won’t spell out what B.S. stands for. Anyway, it’s unnecessary since you all know what it means. (No, I’m not referring to a Bachelor of Science college degree.) The ability to detect B.S. is one of the handiest skills to have as you go through life. […]
Are You a People Person
There is a spectrum of personality types that can be thought of with “introverts” at one end vs. “extraverts” at the other. Introverts tend to be shy and hesitant to strike up conversations, especially with strangers. Extraverts are outgoing, “life of the party” types. They are often labeled as “people persons.” Jobs that entail sales […]
Would You Relocate for a Job?
This blog exists to detail the advantages of a skilled trade career and point readers in the right direction to get started on one. Yet, this writer has done some soul searching and realized that the opportunities may not be universal. Even though there is a severe shortage of skilled trade workers nationwide, some rural […]
National Signing Day for The Trades
College football and basketball fans pay attention to those sports’ annual National Signing Day when collegiate powerhouses compete to enroll the nation’s most highly rated athletes. Although not all recruits live up to their potential, many go on to become the sport’s brightest stars at the collegiate and NFL/NBA levels. Skills USA, a nonprofit organization […]
A Blue-Collar Hero
If you don’t know who Mike Rowe is, it’s time you learned. He is one of the most interesting people around and a prominent cheerleader for tradespeople and other blue-collar workers. You may have seen him hosting the Discovery Channel’s series titled “Dirty Jobs,” which as the name suggests found him filming dozens of episodes […]
How Safe Are The Trades?
I’m sure most of you understand that the trades entail rugged working conditions with more hazards than you’ll find at a desk job. The good news is that deaths and injuries are steadily diminishing. A big reason is that insurance companies lead the way in compelling jobsite safety. It is in their interest to pay […]