@ Scott B
Great work, Scott. Today, in Connecticut, at least, many schools are phasing out shop classes and even architectural and mechanical drawing. When our kids were in HS back in the 80's (our kids are older than we are [wink]) woodshop and metal shop classes had already been tossed under the bus. Our son took 3 years of automotive shop, but when he left (graduated), that was in the pipeline for discontinuation. Also, the drawing classes were discontinued. During that period of time, i had gotten into many arguments with teachers, school boards and such that all kids were not cut out for universities, and, some, not even looking towards community colleges. I was on the town Parks and Recreation Commission here in Ridgefield for 26 years (add ten years to that during my time of working with them "under the table.") During one meeting, we were discussing the problem. Three of my fellow commissioners were bemoaning the fact that no graduates were headed for engineering schools, or few to the sciences. They were talking like it was other peoples kids who were the problem. I asked each of them what their kids were majoring in. Without exception, they all answered "Business." One of them had three kids in college. All three of those young people were included in that answer.
My sister in law was interested in young people with nearly as much concern as I had. She was more involved with the school system, being more a part of the school teacher crowd. she was in better position to make moves from within the system. She discussed with me a possibility to make it possible for boys and girls to go out to spend a day (or more) with trades people to see how work was done. She had my full encouragement. I was already hiring about 4 or 5 HS students part time in spring and fall with full time during the summer. eventually, I had 7 HS students working. There was not a lazy kid in the bunch. Of course, I cheated a little. Not very much, mind you, but just a little. I had coached kids on the soccer fields as well as observing my son's team mates on the wrestling team. I knew the kids who would work and willing to get dirty long before any of them even knew there was such a thing as WORK. That was the best working and best learning group I have ever had working for me.
Eventually, SIL put thru permission for kids to go out on jobs. The problem then became one where there were almost no other contractors willing to go along. SIL told me there was only one other contractor willing besides me. I took on a couple of boys for a couple of days each. And then the school board stepped in. It seems they were concerned about insurance. I had every kind of insurance available for my trade. (at time, i had two crews working at landscaping and one crew working in construction. I moved them all around so none became bored and every day was new and fun) Compensation insurance for all of my help on or off the job. Lability for anything happening to property or any person injured because of my equipment whether employed or not. After market coverage. i was paying more in insurance than in taxes. I was not covered for students who were on the job as observers, even tho I had coverage that would cover them if they had been vandalizing my project. The project was snuffed out within the week it started.
Lately, there has been talk of closing down some of the trade schools in the state. And people complain that work (manufacturing) is being shipped to other countries. It isn't all because the workers work for less. it is because kids are being raised to not get their hands dirty. They, even if they want to work, are chased away at every opportunity. when I was coaching soccer, I would often ask the children (I coached kids from age 7 to HS seniors >>> even tho I had never played the game myself. That is another story) what their fathers did for a living. Among the youngest up until 11 or 12, not one had any idea. they knew they had a father, but he was gone before they got out of bed in the morning. Some did not come home until the kids were in bed at nite. I have always been thankful that I worked at a trade that allowed me to be near home and to allow my own kids to work with me. I never told either one, a girl and a boy, that either one ever had to watch me work. And i never chased them away while I was working. When they were at work on my job, they were in school. That was the requirement. they were "forced to obey the rules even tho they were not required to be there with me. They even had to listen to what i told them. That alone, should have soured them. BUT it did not.
Scott, i am sure you have had to make a lot of preparations beyond just setting up schedules to show these young men, and, yes, I noticed a girl or two among the hands-on's in the vids. Kids do want to learn. You and your partner happen to understand that phenomenon. I think it is great what you are doing. I hope there will be more on this as time goes on.
Tinker
