These days, it’s possible that graduates of LHHS’ building trades, cosmetology, and criminal justice programs will have an easier time finding jobs than its college graduates will, according to a new book. Blue Collar & Proud of It documents the growth in blue-collar jobs in the U.S., with 40 million job openings for workers without bachelor’s degrees over the next few years. That’s double the number of jobs coming available for college graduates.
Joe Lamacchia, author of the book, says many blue collar jobs are critical to keeping the American economy humming and require valuable skills and experience. “Baby Boomers are retiring at an alarming rate”, he says, “and we arent’t training our youth to take over these jobs.” These workers should be respected and appreciated, he stresses, and students inclined to take up these careers should be encouraged.
Richardson ISD has several strong programs in its Career and Technology Education department, including agriculture, robotics, automotive, electrical systems, medical science, and culinary arts. Lake Highlands High offers hands-on instruction in building trades and has a cosmetology lab rivaling any hoity-toity salon in Highland Park. I recently blogged about the impressive criminal justice program (read more here).
Lamacchia is not suggesting that college-bound students halt their plans to feed the need for blue-collar workers, but he is suggesting that students who gravitate toward those careers be given educational support and their choices given value.
