[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

While there is nothing wrong with learning a 'hands-on' skill in high school; it doesn't translate into a solid career in todays global economy. There are people all over the world immigrating into the US to take advantage of some of the best higher education available. Why? Because those people outside the US are MORE motivated to better themselves and they know higher education is the key.

Like it or not, young people need college in todays world. Where in the past a skilled blue-collar person could achieve the American dream and could sometimes choose between college OR skilled labor training. We need need to impress upon our kids at the youngest of age that college is NOT an elective choice, but the logical next step. College may not be for everyone but the gap in earnings, benefits and a real future ever widens.

Recently, I had spoken with an HR person along these lines and she stated that people WITH a BS in a field related to any position that was being advertised got first shot, even for lower to mid-level opportunities. That where firms use software screening for applicants, if enough % had degrees the ones with-out never made it any further.

In a world where everyone has a BS, how do you stand out? More importantly, who does your college grad call when his toilet leaks or his lights flicker? I know a number of people with degrees that are just scraping by because the opportunities provided by their garden-variety major are poor. I know a number of people without college degrees that are making excellent money.

I do almost everything myself, but I do contract out my HVAC work because I don't have the specialized training, tools, and license. The HVAC guy that I hire for general maintenance stuff like charging an A/C unit charges $90/hr, which is pretty cheap for Wichita. He is self employed and has a early 2000s Ford Econoline and tools for overhead, I'd guess $10k or less investment. He is busy as hell, so let's do a little math. Conservatively assuming 40 hrs per week, 50 weeks per year (I'll give him a vacation) his gross income is about $180,000 (90 x 40 x 50). Obviously he has a small amount of cost associated with his business and personal insurance, licensing fees, etc but that's money that this college grad would be pretty happy with. Obviously I'm using the example of a self-employed tradesman, but it's REALLY easy to be self employed in a skilled trade (comparatively speaking).

This argument is funny, because I actually left the field of remodeling to get an engineering degree and am currently working on my MBA. I left because I decided that swinging a hammer just wasn't for me, but I do still believe in the potential that a skilled trades job represents. I have a lot of respect for blue collar work and it makes me sick that it doesn't earn more respect in our modern society. In ten years if my now eight year old son comes to me with a plan to attend a technical school and become some sort of skilled and licensed tradesman, I will support and respect his decision.