Local industry leaders have sounded the alarm on the lack of skilled trade workers available for critical manufacturing and construction jobs. This trend also has been noted nationally causing educational institutions like community colleges and trade schools to develop programs aimed at luring students and those interested in changing careers. Dr. Quintin Kidd, Director of the Judy Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University said there are several factors driving this shortage including schools push for academic over vocational classes

What is driving the shortage in the skilled trades? Why are today’s students exiting high school with a negative view of the trades as viable careers? Dr. Quentin Kidd of CNU and the Wason Center for Public Policy decided to pursue parent’s perceptions of the skilled trades as a potential career for their children. The poll revealed that most parents encouraged their children to pursue prestigious jobs like doctors or lawyers. Further, parents views of prestige affects their support of vocational education which often leads to employment in the skilled trades. Kidd says he heard that the local industry leaders were having difficulty filling positions leading him to pursue a poll of attitudes about the skilled trades as a career.

With repeated industries sounding the alarm that skilled trade workers are increasingly in short supply, some educational institutions such as Thomas Nelson Community College, are joining with the state to create unique programs to lure students into a vocational career. Dr. Susan English, Vice President for Academic affairs and Workforce Development at Thomas Nelson says that there is a negative public perception about the skilled trade careers. However, these careers have great potential for growth and success.

Some educational institutions like Thomas Nelson Community College are instituting programs to lure potential students into skilled trade work. Dr. Susan English, Vice-President at Thomas Nelson says local industry leaders have sounded the alarm about the lack of these skilled workers for hire. Further, they say there has to be a change in the perception that in order to succeed in post high school, a four year degree is a necessity. Dr. English says many students leaving High School have no real grasp of the challenging environment they face in order to create a quality life and additional training after high school is almost always necessary.

Today on Educationally Speaking, we continue our look at the skilled trades shortage both nationally and in Hampton Roads. With repeated industry leaders sounding the alarm on the lack of skilled trade worker, some educational institutions like community colleges, are working to ease the gap and create programs to funnel skilled workers into the skilled trades. Dr. Susan English Vice President for Academic Affairs and Workforce Development at Thomas Nelson Community College says that there has to be a perception within a community that a four year college degree is not a must for meaningful employment but some type of post High school training is necessary.

In 2018, the average cost for an out of state college student was 25,000 dollars. After factoring in room and board, the cost exceeds 40,000 dollars. This rising cost for a four year degree has some students exiting High School and looking at the skilled trades as a potential career. Anne Lassere , a builder in Charlottesville, Virginia says that this debt can be crippling to a young adult. she touts apprenticeships as a viable alternative to training.

We continue our feature on Anne Lassare and her journey into the skilled trades- her observation on the lack of skilled trade workers and how apprenticeships can help direct someone in post high school and undecided on a career.

It is well documented that there is a dire need for skilled trade workers- Why is there a shortage of these workers? Right now, 53% of skilled trades workers are over the age of 45. Furthermore, very few keep working after the age of 65--far fewer than in other occupations. At present, high schools focus almost entirely on preparing students for academic studies at 4-year universities Many even claim that this is the result of elitism--that academics hold vocational trades in disdain Quntin kidd, at CNU, says that perception of prestige is pretty dramatic and that people want their children to be doctors or lawyers but not HVAC and other technicians. Anne Lassere is an example of a skilled trade worker who despite a collegiate prep in high school, decided on a career in carpentry.

Reviewing the Week's Discussion on Computer Science in both High School and College. Jon Yager of Virginia Beach City Public Schools discusses how a model of problem solving can apply to any course of study. Also, Cindy Frye, Computer Science Professor at Baylor University, analyzes how students lack basic written and oral communication skills and the problems that presents in today's classrooms.

Cindy Frye, Professor at Baylor University, addresses how a vast field like Computer Science needs talented majors and how teachers, as early as grade school, need to address the qualifications and needs for an ever expanding field.