Dirty Jobs host Mike Rowe testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation about the need for more skilled blue-collar workers.
His purpose was to encourage support for industrial education through programs Rowe participates in, such as Go Build Alabama, I Make America, Discover Your Skills, and mikeroweWORKS. Read his entire testimony at the Discovery Channel site. Link -via reddit
In high schools, the vocational arts have all but vanished. We've elevated the importance of "higher education" to such a lofty perch that all other forms of knowledge are now labeled "alternative." Millions of parents and kids see apprenticeships and on-the-job-training opportunities as "vocational consolation prizes," best suited for those not cut out for a four-year degree. And still, we talk about millions of "shovel ready" jobs for a society that doesn't encourage people to pick up a shovel.
In a hundred different ways, we have slowly marginalized an entire category of critical professions, reshaping our expectations of a "good job" into something that no longer looks like work. A few years from now, an hour with a good plumber – if you can find one – is going to cost more than an hour with a good psychiatrist. At which point we'll all be in need of both.
His purpose was to encourage support for industrial education through programs Rowe participates in, such as Go Build Alabama, I Make America, Discover Your Skills, and mikeroweWORKS. Read his entire testimony at the Discovery Channel site. Link -via reddit
Comments (20)
and the company's wondering why they have such a hard time finding and keeping their CDL drivers. where if they paid $15-18 they'd have no problem.
At least my parents encourage me in this. My dad's a mechanic by trade, worked for the airlines for many years, so they know the value of blue collar and are both strongly union. They don't see blue collar work as beneath anyone. Then again my grandfather [dad's dad] built his own house too.
It is still true. An independent plumber makes more than an engineer.
I agree with some of Mike's points; we've certainly made a fetish of higher education. The only reason I tried college was because it was socially unacceptable for me not to go. And god knows a degree doesn't equal a good job either; I don't have a degree and make more than my wife (who's got a science degree).
My bad.
http://boxofjack.com/files/blade-runner-los-angeles.jpg
Reminds me of Bladerunner.
Amen brother.
My thoughts:
We as a people HAVE to stand up and fight for our rights. We are moving very quickly into a police state. Think the old adage:
First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.
They will continue to erode our rights little by little until we have nothing. Our fore fathers are spinning in their graves.
http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm
Moving? I would say you're already there.
The funny thing (not really) is that most are so brainwashed with patriotism or fear of terrorism that you don't realize it.
Saw this article about the recent earthquake: "The earth trembled for 40 seconds."
Second sentence: "Could it be a terrorist attack?"
i suppose i understand the need for security around certain places, but like another poster said, it only takes about a minute to find photos of these places on Google Earth. not only that, but i would imagine someone that REALLY wanted to take photos for a nefarious purpose wouldn't be out doing it in broad daylight with a tripod and a bag full of various camera equipment and lenses. somehow i doubt a terrorist would bother using a light meter....or a $5000 camera.
Oooh, I am so busted!