Mission Statement: To provide opportunities for young people to find a career path that suits their individual skills and talents, piques their curiosity, and provides a pathway to economic benefit.
Vision Statement: Give “hands on” experiences to young people by bringing in people with workplace experience, success in their field, and hands on projects so they see valid options in their career path.
There are programs for young people in certain areas, such as FFA and 4H; both started in the early 20th century, which taught/teach young people valuable lessons in their fields. Where are the programs for the trades that start at young ages like those organizations? Programs that would provide a different path to success if they are not inclined to go to college.
The work force in America is in desperate need of young people to fill the ranks of the trades as the current work force retires. This has been documented but perhaps the best source of information is the local businesses and what they have to say; they are not seeing young people coming up to fill the need. There are exceptions but generally, America needs to inspire young people to fill the ranks of trades people and let them know that these careers can be very rewarding, both monetarily and mentally.
What follows are some ideas on how we might be able to bring some solutions to bear on the situation.
Hands On would be a club for young teenagers, starting in middle school, into high school that would offer them an alternative look at careers in the trades.
Educate: give them the story of what the trades are about. Give them examples of how and what they (young people) can do. Start as early as Mid-School. Do they like working with their hands as well as their heads? Focus on trades but not to the exclusion of college.
Field Trips: construction job sites, trade shops, Nuclear Museum (that industry took a lot of hands on), automotive repair shops (new & old), aircraft repair shops, oil field, trades suppliers, etc.
Guest Speakers: invite owners, managers, field supervisors, journeymen, etc., to come to our classrooms to address the kids from many different fields in construction, repair, and related trades. We want them to get a real “feel” for the occupation and what opportunities these guys represent. A lot of successful business owners started out at the bottom and worked their way up to supervisors and owners.
Trade Schools: around the state: ABC, TLC Plumbing, CNM, NMJC, A&P school at Eastern Campus, CNM Grants, High Schools, and others.
Project: The object is to get these young people working with their hands while engaging their minds, regardless of which trade they eventually get interested in, or not. We live in a mechanical world. At some point in time, it’s mechanical. It will help these kids if they understand the world and how it works, even if you become a heart surgeon or an Steve Jobs who dropped out of college. Have them build a “small house”, from the ground up, framing, wiring, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, windows, drywall, cabinets, etc. Build it off the ground so it can be transported. Donate it to the city and the homeless program. Get some free press coverage so other kids and their parents become aware of who we are and what we do.
Exhibit Life Values: (because many kids aren’t taught these values anymore)
Integrity: say what you mean and mean what you say
Respect: for yourself and others
Honesty: your word is your bond, tell the truth
Punctual: be 10 min early, never late
Fair: to all people, eye contact, firm handshake
Reliable: do the job to the best of your ability
Post these on the wall so they can always see them.
Initial Start: with charter schools and organizations that can make their own decisions, as opposed to trying to convince APS. Additionally, charter schools tend to specialize in certain areas, some of which are trade related. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) currently have a 4-year, accredited program for a number of the trades. They also have classrooms and hands on labs, and they would be willing to let us use some of their classrooms for meetings. Meetings could also be held at the schools that want to participate. There are several colleges and secondary schools around the country that offer trades related curriculum. We can be a reference point when they are looking for a program.
Avenues of Approach: start in Albuquerque: ABC, CNM, charter schools, home schools, etc.
Input: regardless of how smart we older adults think we are, we don’t think like the younger crowd does. That’s why we would like to get some input from a target audience who are the 13 – 18 age group, boys, and girls. And not from a particular social economic background, but just average kids and ask them some questions and use that information as the basis for what we are trying to do.
Conclusion: we want to help kids who don’t want to or not sure if they want to pursue a college degree. At present, most kids in middle school and high school are encouraged to attend college as the only way to succeed in life. We want to present some options and let them know they can be successful in a career that will also be fulfilling and rewarding without the burden of a large amount of debt and disappointment when that 6 figure job right out of college doesn’t materialize.