Colleagues,
We thank our Executive Director for bringing this piece to our attention. You may also find the full article at this link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/mike-rowe-warns-of-troubling-trend-among-working-age-men-says-trades-are-the-answer/ar-AA1Elnbi?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=2cf58d68d94f417487c8824a234c6846&ei=30
Mike Rowe warns of troubling trend among working-age men, says trades are the answer
Mike Rowe, known by many as host of the popular show "Dirty Jobs" and the CEO of the MikeRoweWorks Foundation, is raising concerns about a growing segment of the U.S. population: men in their prime working years who are neither employed nor looking for work.
"There are able-bodied men in their working ages not only not working, but not looking," Rowe said during an interview on "Varney & Co." "That, to me, is one of the greatest alarm bells going on in the country. We’ve never seen that before, not in peacetime anyway."
MIKE ROWE DETAILS ‘SHIFT’ IN THE PATH TO PROSPERITY: ‘ENTERING A WHOLE NEW TIME’ OF SMART MONEY
Industries like manufacturing, maritime and automotive are feeling the impact, Rowe pointed out, struggling to fill roles that require hands-on, technical skills.
"We’re still pushing a lot of kids toward a very expensive path, while the skills gap widens," he added. "The skills gap is real, but there’s a will gap as well."
Rowe has long advocated for vocational training and trade careers as a viable, and often more practical, alternative to four-year degrees. He points to recent trends suggesting that younger generations may be starting to agree.
"The four-year degrees are trending down in that cohort," Rowe said, referring to Gen Z. "There’s a lot more interest in electricians, and plumbers, and steamfitters, and welders and pipefitters."
There are able-bodied men in their working ages not only not working, but not looking," Rowe said during an interview on "Varney & Co." "That, to me, is one of the greatest alarm bells going on in the country. We’ve never seen that before, not in peacetime anyway."
MIKE ROWE DETAILS ‘SHIFT’ IN THE PATH TO PROSPERITY: ‘ENTERING A WHOLE NEW TIME’ OF SMART MONEY
Industries like manufacturing, maritime and automotive are feeling the impact, Rowe pointed out, struggling to fill roles that require hands-on, technical skills.
"We’re still pushing a lot of kids toward a very expensive path, while the skills gap widens," he added. "The skills gap is real, but there’s a will gap as well."
Rowe has long advocated for vocational training and trade careers as a viable, and often more practical, alternative to four-year degrees. He points to recent trends suggesting that younger generations may be starting to agree.
"The four-year degrees are trending down in that cohort," Rowe said, referring to Gen Z. "There’s a lot more interest in electricians, and plumbers, and steamfitters, and welders and pipefitters."
Chapter 74 Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education
LEARNING THAT WORKS FOR MASSACHUSETTS
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira