National Skilled Trades Day
Today is National Skilled Trades Day, a day set aside to bring awareness to the need for skilled workers in the United States. According to a report by Forbes, over 53% of workers employed in a skilled trade are nearing retirement age.
But only 1 in 5 graduating high school seniors are pursuing a trade job.
Control Chief would like to salute the skilled trade workers across the country, from the railyards, to the steel mills and factories, to the construction workers and electricians and healthcare workers that work hard at work worth doing!
Skilled trades are vital to our economy and our workforce, and it’s important to encourage students to pursue a trade!
Here are some ways to increase awareness in Skilled Trades
For Schools:
- Encourage students to consider Vocational and Technical programs
- Encourage community support for students and parents who are considering the skilled trades.
- Create an environment that values the skilled trades and teach the benefits of learning a trade.
- Teach that skilled trades are a legitimate college alternative.
Host open house and career job fairs. - Introduce the skilled trades in elementary schools and early education.
For Businesses in Skilled Trades:
- Communicate the need for skilled trade workers to the community.
- Host open house and partner with job fairs to recruit skilled trade workers.
- Highlight your employees on social media: Why did they pick a career in the skilled trades? What life lessons have they learned in their years working in skilled trades?
For those in the Skilled Trades:
- Share your trade with someone you know.
- Post about the day on social media.
- Volunteer to speak at a career fair.
For Communities:
- If you see someone in a uniform, be sure to thank them.
- If you own a store or restaurant, consider giving a discount to those who visit in uniform on National Skilled Trades Day.
- Teach your children and grandchildren that skilled trades are the college alternative. Not everyone needs to go to college. Many technical schools provide the science, math and technology training required for any skills required.
National Skilled Trades Day was established to encourage students and others looking for jobs to enter skilled trades jobs. Each year, National Skilled Trades Day will be observed on the first Wednesday in May.
