That’s why we’re excited about the recent news that Gov. Rick Snyder will ask Michigan lawmakers for a 75 percent increase in funding for skilled-trades training and career technical education in his budget proposal for the new fiscal year.
In years past, the kids who excelled in the classroom would embark on a college prep path in high school. Those who were better working with their hands instead focused their studies on other types of classes, such as woodshop or metal shop, or a tech center where they can learn valuable skills that will put them in demand upon graduation.
Unfortunately, budget cuts have forced many schools to make drastic cuts in shop classes. As a result, there’s a serious shortage of skilled tradesmen entering the workplace each year.
Forbes published an article last year claiming that the skilled trades — welders, electricians and mechanists — are becoming increasingly difficult to find as many in that field are nearing the end of their career.
In 2012, 53 percent of skilled-trade workers in the U.S. were age 56 or older, and nearly 20 percent were nearing retirement age, between 55 and 64.
While times are changing — drastically — in the fields of science and technology, there’s still a big demand for those hands-on workers who can fill the many skilled-trade jobs that become available each day.
That’s why it’s so important that the governor has put an emphasis on increasing educational opportunities for skilled trades in our state’s schools.©2015 the Grand Haven Tribune (Grand Haven, Mich.)
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