Fixing the American Skills Gap

The American skills gap is real.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , there are more than 9 million jobs available across the country, the vast majority of which do not require a 4-year degree.  And as an aging work force begins to retire, there are not enough qualified people to fill the vast array of positions.  And yet, many Americans continue to endorse a worn out and irrelevant dictum, “you have to get a four year degree to be successful”  when student loan debts in this country total upwards of $1.5 trillion dollars! A 4-year college degree from university is not a one-size-fits-all;  there is success, excellence, job satisfaction and earning a good living to be found in the trades as well. 

It’s time to shine a light on the trades and the young people pursuing them, which is why I went out to Fayette Institute of Technology recently to meet some of the rockstars in the automotive and welding programs. Please enjoy episode 3 of Beacon News West Virginia, Fixing the American Skills Gap.