Community Chat

[esmeraldagooch]

Mike and his get American's back to work plan. Walmart is putting it's money where its mouth is and plans to help Americans manufacture goods it will sell.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/24/business/walmart-creates-10-million-fund-to-stimulate-american-man...

[just bee]

On 2/19/2014 Ford1224 said:

Civil service is another area lacking in enough qualified people. Policeman, firefighters, mail carriers, etc. They are tough and sometimes dangerous jobs, but I would think there is a need for them.

Thing is everyone wants to get into technology these days, and that's where the market is glutted and also sent overseas. It seems we have to move away from that.

We stopped making stuff. People used to work in factories and produce goods. I remember looking at all the Independence Day decorations at a local store a couple years ago and not one item was manufactured in America.

Most of our food isn't even grown here.

[LilacTree]

On 2/19/2014 Lion said:

I understand Mike Rowe's views on vocational/trade education but I think it's wrong to downplay college education.

I strongly believe everyone benefits from a well-rounded education. I think everyone should take college courses, not necessarily to earn a degree but to expand their intellectual horizons and make them more well-rounded people & citizens.

I've known many adults who have no need for or interest in a college degree, but they love learning and take college classes or university extension classes to keep learning, expanding their minds, and meeting new people with different views.

I agree. However, reality is what it is. I don't see why one can't integrate both higher education and skilled labor. IMO, those who want to know more should always be able to find ways to do so. There are even highly respected online college courses now.

[tansy]

On 2/19/2014 Lion said:

I understand Mike Rowe's views on vocational/trade education but I think it's wrong to downplay college education.

I strongly believe everyone benefits from a well-rounded education. I think everyone should take college courses, not necessarily to earn a degree but to expand their intellectual horizons and make them more well-rounded people & citizens.

I've known many adults who have no need for or interest in a college degree, but they love learning and take college classes or university extension classes to keep learning, expanding their minds, and meeting new people with different views.

ITA.

[RedHeadedWench]

I always told my kids, if you are going to attend a school..whether it's a vocational or a college..get a certificate or a degree that you can use.

So right now I have my oldest son with a computational physics/math degree working as a systems analyst...my middle son is graduating this May with his BBS and is working now as an accountant part time, and he has decided to go on and get his CPA license, and our daughter is in the middle of nursing school.

I guess they listened. LOL

I sort of agree with Mike Rowe, there is a shortage of workers...electricians, carpenters, machinists, etc etc. When we were having our hardwoods done, I talked with the contractor (a friend) who told me that he cannot find trained people, and those that are working, are so booked up...for that same reason.

[esmeraldagooch]

Here is more about Mike Rowe and his plan.

http://www.mikeroweworks.com/2013/03/mike-rowe-talks-about-career-options-outside-college/

[LilacTree]

On 2/19/2014 just bee said:

On 2/19/2014 Ford1224 said:

Civil service is another area lacking in enough qualified people. Policeman, firefighters, mail carriers, etc. They are tough and sometimes dangerous jobs, but I would think there is a need for them.

Thing is everyone wants to get into technology these days, and that's where the market is glutted and also sent overseas. It seems we have to move away from that.

We stopped making stuff. People used to work in factories and produce goods. I remember looking at all the Independence Day decorations at a local store a couple years ago and not one item was manufactured in America.

Most of our food isn't even grown here.

Low income workers and robots have taken over manufacturing. As for our food, I can't help but feel that we are going into food markets and buying food for our families that are all toxic and unhealthy. I don't even pretend to know the answers to these dilemmas.

[Marienkaefer2]

On 2/19/2014 Lion said:

I understand Mike Rowe's views on vocational/trade education but I think it's wrong to downplay college education.

I strongly believe everyone benefits from a well-rounded education. I think everyone should take college courses, not necessarily to earn a degree but to expand their intellectual horizons and make them more well-rounded people & citizens.

I've known many adults who have no need for or interest in a college degree, but they love learning and take college classes or university extension classes to keep learning, expanding their minds, and meeting new people with different views.

I totally agree with you, Lion.

Most of my higher ed career has been at community colleges. So I totally value career/technical education.

However in today's world, everything is much more sophisticated, and employees need to be able to have good communication skills. That includes reading, writing, group collaboration, analysis skills, etc. So a technical education must include some liberal arts courses.

Since everyone seems to be so supportive of career/technical education, I'm hoping that they are supportive enough to be willing to pay more in taxes to support the community colleges that provide these programs. Also, to support the worker re-training programs that enable middle aged unemployed workers to get these skills so they can get a job.

[esmerelda]

On 2/19/2014 Lion said:

I understand Mike Rowe's views on vocational/trade education but I think it's wrong to downplay college education.

I strongly believe everyone benefits from a well-rounded education. I think everyone should take college courses, not necessarily to earn a degree but to expand their intellectual horizons and make them more well-rounded people & citizens.

I've known many adults who have no need for or interest in a college degree, but they love learning and take college classes or university extension classes to keep learning, expanding their minds, and meeting new people with different views.

Taking classes to expand intellectual horizons and become more well rounded is different from getting a "college education."

People who want to be "well rounded" can...and do...do it like the many adults you've known...during or after their workimg life.

[LilacTree]

On 2/19/2014 esmeraldagooch said:

Here is more about Mike Rowe and his plan.

http://www.mikeroweworks.com/2013/03/mike-rowe-talks-about-career-options-outside-college/

Hit "Enter" or "Return" after you post a link, and it will become usable as a link (underlined and in blue). Just a suggestion.