More trade schools

Schools should be offering more tech or trade classes. When I was in school many years ago, the grades were; K-6, elementary; 7-9, junior high; and 10-12, high school. In junior high, there were print, wood and radio shops. In high school, there were radio, wood, welding and sheet metal shops.

I don’t think one can argue there are too many auto mechanics, electronic techs, electricians, plumbers or carpenters. But there is a surfeit of college grads with degrees in studies for which there is little no demand: liberal arts, philosophy, religious studies, music, fine arts, history, just to name a few. But electricians, plumbers, air conditioner techs and more? Well, just try to find one when you need one.

If a kid can’t grasp algebra or how to parse a sentence, but he can fix your dishwasher, why keep pushing him toward college so he can get a degree that gets him a job flipping burgers?

Dishwasher broke? Who do you call, an archeologist? Nope, you call an appliance repairman.

This story was originally published August 8, 2015 at 10:58 AM with the headline "More trade schools."