[asphaltgambler]

I'll chime in here as a middle-aged journeyman-level skilled tradesman. I actually agree with the decision to eliminate shop classes for young people at the high school level. I believe that there are so many, better career choices and paths in todays global economy that it would be almost a diservice to not replace those with classes with training for this modern era.

I can tell you as an extremely motivated young guy in high school in the late 1970's that shop class was integral part of my career path. I grew up in a rural area and skilled tradesman were looked up to and valued. Their expert opinion and skilled hands were at utmost respected and financially rewarded. They had real, solid careers and retirement. But that was then.

We, as Americas labor force today, are faced with an ever rapidly changing supply vs demand in career paths and skill sets in the new (current) global economy. We should be preparing our kids for a solid future not sending them down a path circa 1950's industrialized America.

I just left the auto business after over 30 difficult years. I personaly know many other highly skilled tradesmen my age or near it in HVAC, construction, engineering, electrical and plumbing. They all are in the same boat as me. Tired, disgusted, no respect, no future, no money and for sure......no future.

There are a vast number of very skilled people in this nation who are under-employed or not employed in the industries where their skills apply. Time to re-evaluate. As some here know I was a Euro Technician. My new career is a network analyst for a large county government.