Free Trades Education?
A recent study sponsored by The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers found that 75 percent of Americans favor a government program that would provide any qualified U.S. resident with two free years of post-high school education or training.
The survey contended that one of the reasons the US emerged as a world economic super power following World War 1 was the implementation of compulsory secondary education. As the world’s economy has developed, the study says, so too has the need to increase the skill sets of today’s young adults beyond just secondary education.
According to the study, 60 percent of new jobs created in the next decade will be in the blue-collar sector. To counteract the overwhelming emphasis on traditional college education and white-collar jobs, respondents in the study agreed nearly universally that students should have government-funded access to skilled trade education.
These beliefs crossed all political, age, gender and socioeconomic lines. Whether the same people who said they would favor two-years of government supported education would actually vote to raise their own taxes when the time came cannot be known, however.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you think that two years of free skills education would meet the demand for blue-collar workers? Should students be required to fund their own education as a way of ensuring their commitment to the skills they learn? Is there anything else the government should do to encourage high school students to pursue trades education?
Please share your thoughts by posting a comment below.
Average (Not Rated)
April 13th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
It’s a well known fact that with knowledge comes power , and the attainability of knowledge doesn’t come cheap. When a person takes the time to pursue a better future for themselves it speaks volumes. I believe that it is up to the individual to make sure he/she gets the education for their desired trade . Most people who get into so called ” blue collar jobs” come from a “blue collar ” background. most people from that socio-economic class do not have the money available to help their children go to college or sometimes even trade school. Most of the time the young worker hones his/her skills from on-the-job - training . I think it’s important for the government to assist young men and women financially in some way to better that persons life as well as secure our future as world leaders.
April 14th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
When I deceided I wanted to go back to school the only thing that delayed was the price associated with going back, not really tuition but not being able to work full time. Any financial help would make learning a trade a more viable option. I wish they would have done this in the late 90’s.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:13 am
There already is a system in place to provide secondary training and education. The system is indentured apprenticeship throught the local trades union. The apprentice receives a decent wage through the apprenticeship and when graduated can apply them countrywide following economic booms if needed. There is also a sense of pride of building in your community and being able to see the fruits of your labor long after you finished the job. I realize alot of people are against the unions but you can’t deny the system works or the Association of Building Contractors wouldn’t have copied it.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Yes, something must be done to attract more people into the skilled trades.
I would be skeptical of 2yrs. Govt. paid training. We as a society must
become more responsible for our lives, stop thinking that the Govt. owes us everything. In the past Govt. training programs, CETA, BVR, etc. were abused.
Many of the participants were there for the free ride, benefits only.
To avoid this maybe a govt. program to help with a percentage of the cost of training, education. People tend to take more ownership in, and have more pride in acomplishments they have worked / paid for, Vs. something they were given.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:29 am
I think this is a great idea. Vocational education in our high schools is disapearing. Seems that blue color trades are looked down at as bad as being a garbage collector. Try getting along without either.
I also think that one of the downfalls of American manufacturing, and there are many, has been the decline in apprenticeship programs.
Once upon a time a man learened a trade in this manor and was proud of his work. AKA Quality work!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:57 am
How ’bout putting vocational training back IN high school… the current system that offers no real skills upon graduation (due to such programs being cut) means that many children are indeed left behind if they are not destined for college (and that should be ok.)
–Carmen
http://www.CarmenElectrode.com
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:27 pm
ya that sonds good
April 24th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
the problem with free education is the people who abuse it. there are people who will go to these trade schools as a way to apply for student loans and as an excuse not to have to go to work for two years. one way to eliminate this problem is to structure the trade school into a work invironment, even if it means turning a two year couse into a three year couse. this way you are only investing in people you know are willing to work. another problem with trade schools is they seem more interested in filling classes than making the student learn something. lazy students can sort of float thrugh school and barely pass eventually getting the same degree as the person who took his education serious. that makes the degree worth less. if a person really wants to better their life and takes there education seriously then yes, the government should put them through trade school. if a person is only there to kill time then no, kick his but out and let him work for mcdonalds where he can screw up a welders order.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:37 am
If you can get the free education why not its a good job!
May 6th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I think that anyone who can keep their grades up through high school with a B or higher should be allowed to have free schooling for at LEAST two years. right now parents are paying a lot of money for their kids to go to school and people or going into debt. Don’t get my wrong some are not going into debt but some are and that is not right. The government is to blame for this and i think we should have a few years of schooling after high school.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:45 am
i think that its a good idea for finacial help for college beause alot of people can’t afford the price of college now days.
May 6th, 2008 at 11:10 am
yah the students should get a scholorship
May 6th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I think it is a nice idea but i doubt some colleges are big enough and the fact that they will loose to much money.