Progressive Changes in Northeastern Pennsylvania

[dravogadro]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Hmmm, I'm not sure if I agree that there are many skilled tradespeople here. I know someone whose son is going is going to school to be a machinist. His father thought it was ridiculous, asked around and found out that Unison Aviation in Wilkes-Barre actually had to hire out of the area to find a skilled machinist. And it isn't the first time I've heard there is lack of skilled tradesmen in the area.

I think this is a large problem, in general, in the country. Do you know they are revamping engineering curriculum to deal with students that have very little hands-on skills? The number of people coming straight off the farm or from a family that is actively fixing cars is fewer and fewer every year.

[MatildaLoo]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Hmmm, I'm not sure if I agree that there are many skilled tradespeople here. I know someone whose son is going is going to school to be a machinist. His father thought it was ridiculous, asked around and found out that Unison Aviation in Wilkes-Barre actually had to hire out of the area to find a skilled machinist. And it isn't the first time I've heard there is lack of skilled tradesmen in the area.

I think the problem is that most of them are older.

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by dravogadro

I think this is a large problem, in general, in the country. Do you know they are revamping engineering curriculum to deal with students that have very little hands-on skills? The number of people coming straight off the farm or from a family that is actively fixing cars is fewer and fewer every year.

No, I didn't know that. That's scary to me. I think another issue is the general move from encouraging a trade-based career to telling kids they just have to have a BA.

[MatildaLoo]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

No, I didn't know that. That's scary to me. I think another issue is the general move from encouraging a trade-based career to telling kids they just have to have a BA.

I think since the recession people are realizing that a bachelor's degree is no guarantee for getting a job. When I earned my first degree, college graduates were pretty much guaranteed to find a job after graduation. Not anymore. So I do think there's been a move the other way in recent years to encourage high school graduates toward more practical curricula, but now it seems like the educated are the ones under fire. Yes, we need to make things in the US again, but we also need people who can think. Not everyone has mechanical skills, just like not everyone has the ability to think critically. There needs to be a balance of white and blue collar employment for a regional economy to sustain itself.

[auntieannie68]

Originally Posted by MatildaLoo

I think since the recession people are realizing that a bachelor's degree is no guarantee for getting a job. When I earned my first degree, college graduates were pretty much guaranteed to find a job after graduation. Not anymore. So I do think there's been a move the other way in recent years to encourage high school graduates toward more practical curricula, but now it seems like the educated are the ones under fire. Yes, we need to make things in the US again, but we also need people who can think. Not everyone has mechanical skills, just like not everyone has the ability to think critically. There needs to be a balance of white and blue collar employment for a regional economy to sustain itself.

to matilda and marg----cd wont let me rep you two so

[bloominscranton]

Thanks for all the wonderful posts recently, very good reading!

[theatergypsy]

Originally Posted by bloominscranton

Thanks for all the wonderful posts recently, very good reading!

All part of the "progressive changes".

[loose stool]

Originally Posted by theatergypsy

All part of the "progressive changes".

It's all about diversity training. That's where all the money goes to from grade school on. Not the nuts and bolts of a particular discipline.

[colorfulchic83]

Originally Posted by loose stool

It's all about diversity training. That's where all the money goes to from grade school on. Not the nuts and bolts of a particular discipline.

I think the FBI would beg to differ. The money is going where its always gone for at least as long as I've lived in NEPA(nearly a decade); in corrupt district officials pockets. I'm praying OUTSIDE audits come really soon, in every area of government & government run programs.

[auntieannie68]

Originally Posted by colorfulchic83

I think the FBI would beg to differ. The money is going where its always gone for at least as long as I've lived in NEPA(nearly a decade); in corrupt district officials pockets. I'm praying OUTSIDE audits come really soon, in every area of government & government run programs.

you are 100% correct---anyone here having the theme from the godfather come to mind????