WORKFORCE NOW

[SEMPERFI8387]

So lately I’ve been involved in a pre-apprenticeship program for students in our local school districts. It’s part of a new non-profit formed within our local Builders Association where I sit on the executive board as the Associate Vice President.
It’s focused on getting kids that are interested in the trades (vs. college) to get some basic fundamentals covered and also a connection with local businesses looking to fulfill open positions. I created the carpentry “framing” prints and my company donated the lumber packages for the initial class. The students have done framing, electrical, plumbing, cad programming and most recently another gentleman and I did a ceramic tile and trim installation class. This is a dream job (my company has allowed me the time to do this) for me and I now understand the rewards of working with the younger generation. We just had our 2023-24 class introduction for new students and had approximately 23 signed up. This is like a dream come true!

 

[BigKahuna]

Great program Dave!

 

[GWLK]

Amen to that. It takes a special person to donate their time for the benefit of others.

 

[Link]

great program. Maybe they could learn by replacing some of the seating on my 2012 Bennington

 

[Vikingstaff]

As a retired educator, I have always loved seeing others outside education taking an interest, and investing their time and resources in assisting kids. Sound like a great program! Good for you for stepping up and filling a need.

It’s such a powerful and rewarding experience for everyone when you help young people explore their interests, find their passion, and begin to teach them the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful future adults. I encourage others to do the same in whatever capacity you might be able to provide.

 

[Lay Lake]

Awesome! Keep up the good work. These are the jobs few want to do but are desperately needed.

 

[LaurencetheAdventurer]

THAT.IS.AMAZING!!!!! Exactly what the country needs, and more of it!!!! Thank you.

 

[Potomacbassin’]

I used to work with high school kids doing Habitat-type house work for folks in need - building handicap ramps, replacing roofs, installing new windows... even built a privy one time in the middle of the mountains where there was no sewage hookup.

Point is, my gosh these kids were helpless - ask them for a pry bar and they hand you a hammer. Ask them for the jigsaw and they look at you like a deer in the headlights. I blame the dads not teaching the next generation even basic hand tools or mechanical concepts like many of us had.

Glad to see more of these apprenticeship programs popping up. Groups like ABC have been sounding the alarm for years so not an easy problem to solve. This is sadly where a little more unemployment can help - once folks are desperate for a job maybe they'll realize what a decent living you can make in the trades.

 

[lakeliving]

Love it. We need more people with real skills.