Posts Tagged ‘vocational training’

The sure path to economic success?

August 1st, 2012
By: Vicki Bell

No one would argue that postsecondary education is the most likely path to greater earnings and a better quality of life. However, just how much education and what type is debatable.

For decades, parents and educators have preached fervently that a college education—preferably at a top-tier school— is the way to wealth, happiness, and security, and advanced degrees offer even more assurance that you will achieve these prized goals. And for decades, that message proved to be true for many who chose that route.

Things have changed. Having a college degree no longer guarantees that you will find a job in your chosen field, much less be wealthier, happier, and have more security than someone who chose a different path. In fact, it may be a liability. (more...)

'When working was seen as an honorable thing'

July 25th, 2012
By: Vicki Bell

You may have read the blog entry “Money and prestige” that was posted on thefabricator.com in June. The post discussed why more young people aren’t taking advantage of training opportunities such as the one being offered by Marinette, Wis.-based shipbuilder Marinette Marine.

This topic was the focus of the June issue of “Tube Talk,” and feedback from that newsletter was featured both in the blog post and in the July e-newsletter, which prompted yet more feedback, including comments from engineers and educators. These comments are very similar in nature and indicate that we clearly have a handle on why young people are not motivated to enter manufacturing careers. It’s what to do about it that continues to be a topic for discussion.

“Tube Talk” readers have a few ideas. (more...)

Adding technical tracks back into high schools

February 29th, 2012
By: Vicki Bell

Ever read something that makes you see red? Occasionally, I do. In fact, this happened to me Tuesday morning as I read an article on msnbc.com with the headline "Some employers want return of vo-ed training."

My first reaction? "No kidding; this is old news." The metalworking industry has been bemoaning the demise of vocational training programs for years. However, it was a paragraph later in the article did not sit well with me. The sad thing is, it may be true. (more...)

Kyle and the welding instructor

February 9th, 2011
By: Vicki Bell

Note from Vicki Bell: This post, written by welding instructor Marty Rice, honors his students, particularly those who have served in the Armed Forces, and illustrates the special bond between teacher and student.

Kyle Yother, back from Iraq in 2008, and Marty Rice

Kyle Yother, back from Iraq in 2008, and Marty Rice

One of the worst things a teacher can hear is the death of a student. I've lost them to suicide, drowning, car and motorcycle accidents, and a plane crash. Two, a Soldier and Marine, fought during the roughest times in Iraq, only to come home and be taken in a motorcycle wreck and plane crash. So young and so much ahead of them, they went too soon.

After you've taught high school a while you get where you can predict a lot of student's personalities the first day of class. Some more than others of course, but with Kyle I pegged him pretty much right away. His ornery smile and eyes cutting back and forth around the classroom told me he was gonna be a handful. (more...)

The future of training

January 28th, 2010
By: Eric Lundin

Whether or not you follow all the latest trends in digital technology, you’ve probably seen fancy devices such as the Smartphone from BlackBerry® or the iPhone from Apple. They allow you to do all sorts of things—play music, send and receive text messages, take photos, record and edit video, surf the Web, and so on. I have heard that you can even place and receive telephone calls.

It doesn’t end there, of course. Countless programmers have spent countless hours creating applications (excuse me, “apps”) for these devices. Many are free, and a lot of them are novelties (excuse me, “useless”), such as one that mimics the sound of pumping a shotgun. I guess that one is actually pretty cool, now that I think about it. The iPhone has a built-in accelerometer; when it senses you making a shotgun-pumping motion, the application responds accordingly.

I asked a couple of our IT staff members about unusual apps.

(more...)

Renewed hope for U.S. manufacturing

November 20th, 2009
By: Eric Lundin

In 1939 manufacturing provided about 30 percent of the jobs in the U.S. By November of 1943, it provided 38.8 percent of U.S. jobs. Shortly after World War II ended, the manufacturing portion was back to its prewar level. Except for a few expansions along the way, probably associated with producing military goods for the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, it has been dwindling more or less steadily ever since.

In August it slipped below 9 percent.
(more...)