Mike Rowe testifies before US Senate about the skilled trades - Lateral-g Forums

Vegas69 · #1 01-12-2012, 03:46 PM

I watched this video a month ago or so. The biggest point I took from it was the fact that most kids don't grow up wanting to be plumbers, electricians, etc. anymore. It's like the country looks down their nose at the hard working laborers in our society. We all can't be Bill Gates and we need skilled workers. I thought it was an excellent point. I also feel that things will start going back that way naturally in our NEW reality.

**GregWeld** · #2 01-12-2012, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

I watched this video a month ago or so. The biggest point I took from it was the fact that most kids don't grow up wanting to be plumbers, electricians, etc. anymore. It's like the country looks down their nose at the hard working laborers in our society. We all can't be Bill Gates and we need skilled workers. I thought it was an excellent point. I also feel that things will start going back that way naturally in our NEW reality.

Dude! I thought maybe Kelli took your keyboard away.... Good to see you still have some manhood intact and can post once in awhile.

Vegas69 · #3 01-12-2012, 04:59 PM

Been busy living that American Dream.

Bucketlist2012 · #4 01-12-2012, 05:03 PM

It seems like the days of learning from your neighbor down the street, how to change your clutch, or how to install a manifold, or a faucet, or a Light fixture are gone...

The days of the Metal Shop, Wood Shop, Auto Shop days are gone.

**Sieg** · #5 01-12-2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

I watched this video a month ago or so. The biggest point I took from it was the fact that most kids don't grow up wanting to be plumbers, electricians, etc. anymore. It's like the country looks down their nose at the hard working laborers in our society. We all can't be Bill Gates and we need skilled workers. I thought it was an excellent point. I also feel that things will start going back that way naturally in our NEW reality.

A friend along time ago said "face it the fact is not everyone is college material, more are canidates for tech schools than college" I've never forgotten that. The US labor market is way over-priced and under-skilled and I believe much of that is due to lack of competition in the market place. The lack of balance impacts the white collar ranks with over-saturation. The expectation on kids to go get a college education puts a lot of stress on them as well. The one's that are college material end up with a career and peace of mind, the one's that aren't quite there end up working their butt off to be mediocre when they could have had a skilled trade education that rewarded daily with a sense of accomplishment and personal pride for a job well done. There needs to be a paradigm shift, but the colleges are big money machines that will fight that shift.

I watched that video a while ago and wanted to shake his hand and buy him a beer.

CRCRFT78 · #6 01-12-2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

It seems like the days of learning from your neighbor down the street, how to change your clutch, or how to install a manifold, or a faucet, or a Light fixture are gone...

Isn't that the truth. The damn city ordinances are killing most chances of this being passed on neighbor to neighbor or father to son. I've been rebuilding the front suspension of my truck and have it sitting on jackstands in my driveway 15 feet from the curb. Not only did I get a citation to move it or else, but I also got a "friendly" visit from the city enforcement police about it. WTF, some of these people should be proud to see someone having enough pride to take care of their possessions.

Kids don't have much to look forward to as far as the trades go in school. Its sad really.

**Flash68** · #7 01-13-2012, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Track Junky

There certainly isn't a shortage of skilled labor in Northern California and I dont think I'll be moving to Alabama in this life time.

Ha, you got that right. Although it's been harder and harder to find good qualified skilled trades people in the last few months. A step in the right direction here locally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

The biggest point I took from it was the fact that most kids don't grow up wanting to be plumbers, electricians, etc. anymore. It's like the country looks down their nose at the hard working laborers in our society.

Todd, you and I know the good ole Midwest appreciates blue collar labor as much as anyone, but I agree with you as far as the nation as a whole.

There is also a big problem with this country's lack of work ethic in these skilled trades (I have been in the construction recruiting/staffing business for 13 years now in Northern Calif) and it ain't getting any better here. And the sense of entitlement for the available jobs out there is all too common. I don't want to segue too far off here, but the people that relocate from the countries south of us for many of these skilled trades are just as skilled and have a superior work ethic overall. That's a big problem I've seen for years.

Bucketlist2012 · #8 01-13-2012, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash68

Ha, you got that right. Although it's been harder and harder to find good qualified skilled trades people in the last few months. A step in the right direction here locally.

Todd, you and I know the good ole Midwest appreciates blue collar labor as much as anyone, but I agree with you as far as the nation as a whole.

There is also a big problem with this country's lack of work ethic in these skilled trades (I have been in the construction recruiting/staffing business for 13 years now in Northern Calif) and it ain't getting any better here. And the sense of entitlement for the available jobs out there is all too common. I don't want to segue too far off here, but the people that relocate from the countries south of us for many of these skilled trades are just as skilled and have a superior work ethic overall. That's a big problem I've seen for years.

Without getting off topic, the attitude of many now days "feels" like they deserve better...Better ?? Top Mechanics,Plumbers, and Electricians, do pretty well.

I have worked for years in the Solar business in Northern California.. Plumbing and electrical in high, steep, Dangerous places.. Doing the work on the ground is child's play..

So you want to teach BOTH Plumbing, and Electrical to new people while they train, and work... What a bunch of Lazy bums... most cannot hack working at all, let alone self starting, thinking on the fly, problem solving, critical thinking, multi tasking...ZERO..

This isn't McDonalds!!! This is a Skill you can take to any other industry...Home Electric or plumbing. Car work... Life skills...fixing your own Home...Oh wait, they will never have one because they are TOO lazy, and entitled.

My God, Doctors are plumbers and electricians...Of the Body... I have a plumber, a Cardiologist, and an electrician, my neurologist...

Knowing things is cool, can save you money, and can make you income...

Youth of America....HELLO...

LS1-IROC · #9 01-14-2012, 03:22 PM

That was a great speech!

SWAPMEETCRAZY · #10 01-14-2012, 03:37 PM

^^^^^x2..........Could see my now 24 yr old was plenty smart for 4 year college but not patient --So we sat down after high school and discussed it--He had gotten the TOPS program grant (state money for top grads) so we decided a local trade school would work better for him.....stayed out 1st semester after H.S. and worked and then completed 2 years of trade school in plant processing (While working also) ...........Just got on permanent job in local polymer plant ....in 1 1/2 years will be fully vested at $33 hr. I'm like Greg ...U talk to them---then see if the plan works--they always stray ....but I consider it my job as father to steer him to a better situation so HE can make his future..NOT me give him everything ...nobody learns from that.......my 2 cents.....jim