First-Ever National Skilled Trades Day
National Skilled Trades Day, observed annually on the first Wednesday in May, was established to raise awareness among young people about the critical shortage of skilled trade workers in the U.S., challenge the outdated "college for all" mentality, and promote the value and importance of careers in the skilled trades that are essential to the economy.
National Skilled Trades Day now has a featured spot on the calendar.
Observed annually, on the first Wednesday in May, National Skilled Trades Day aims to raise awareness among young people about the importance of the skilled trade industry in the United States.
There are more skilled trade job openings than there are people to fill them, and that’s a huge problem that will eventually affect everyone.
Over the last few decades, parents and teachers have all echoed the same message to students: you have to attend college to have a good future. Well, we know that’s not true. The results of the “college for all mentality” have been an increasing average student loan debt and a growing number of under-employed college graduates. All the while, jobs that make up the backbone of our economy continue to go unfilled.
National Skilled Trades Day is an excellent, new initiative, meant to halt this outdated narrative and inform the younger generation and job seekers about the value of entering a career in the skilled trades.
Be sure to celebrate yourself, and others who have joined the trades. This isn’t some silly #NationalDonutDay. This is about real skills, being put to use every day, to solve real-world issues. If that isn’t something to celebrate, then what is?
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