Life on Delmarva: America's Economy | Why National Skilled Trades Day Matters

Over the last few decades our country has focused less on the careers and employment opportunities offered in various skilled trades, and more on technology. Careers in so many of our industries require people who can become educated via 2-year and 4-year programs, vocational schools, apprenticeships and on-the-job training - and it may surprise you to learn such fields of work are more in demand now than ever. In Youngstown, Ohio, one company is working to bring a focus back to careers such as electricians, machinists, plumbers, carpentry, pipe-fitters and mechanics.

"Survey finds many young people are unaware of the pay and benefits of the skilled trades." And that's too bad, because there are many jobs which will be unfilled within the next few years". Sure, people CAN fill them but to go into some fields right out of high school and complete a program often sets folks up with a good career for life! Many of the industries mentioned here are really well-paying jobs, with benefits if you can get in with a local or state government agency - and are often less impacted by a recession or economic downturn!

According to City Machine Technologies, Inc: Throughout the United States, many businesses are facing a huge dilemma – there are more skilled trades job openings than there are people to fill them. According to Forbes, over 53% of workers employed in a skilled trade are nearing retirement age. Compare that to the fact that only 1 in 5 students graduating from high school have shown an interest in trade jobs, and you can see why employers are having trouble finding workers.

In 2019 the company launched National Skilled Trades day, celebrated on the first Wednesday of May, and this year they've even created a coloring book you can download to raise awareness among kids. Learn more on their website here, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter. The observance was registered as an official day in 2019 and is now officially listed on National Day Calendar.

Skilled trades can be defined as "occupations that require a special skill, knowledge or ability which can be obtained at a college, technical school or through specialized training, providing an alternative to jobs that require four years of college education." Source

Timberland is Closing the Skills Gap with the Help of Gen T | The numbers don’t tell the whole story, according to Bob Sineni, general manager of Timberland’s PRO brand, which serves the industrial footwear and workwear markets. "By 2025 if we don’t address the open skilled trade jobs in the U.S., the impact of those unfilled jobs can be serious,” Sineni explains. “There will be bridges that don’t get maintained, highways that aren’t repaired. And it will also impact how our country moves forward. For example, smart energy efforts will be unable to move forward due to a lack of skilled workers to make and install wind turbines."

How the Trades Saved a Young Man's Life | Finding his passion for welding enabled Jordan to leave his troubled past behind him and improved his mental health. (5.4.20)

Ohio: A Leader Among Those Who Champion Skilled Trades | Ohio is as concerned about the skilled trades gap, which is the number of skilled trades positions open versus the number of qualified and willing employees available to fill those positions. Ohio is also the home of National Skilled Trades Day, created by City Machines Technolgies, Inc. (CMT) in Youngstown. is a family-owned and operated industrial repair shop in Youngstown. CMT launched In order to spread awareness on what the skilled trades are and how to pursue them, CMT founded National Skilled Trades Day in 2019. Celebrated on the first Wednesday of May, this day was added to the Registrar National Day Calendar and will observe the second annual #SkilledTradesDay on May 6th, 2020. Source: Autovalve

LINKS / RESOURCES / PRESS

• Delta College (MI) Offers New skilled Trades Degree: Delta College is offering a new skilled trades degree, the first of its kind for the Great Lakes Bay Region. The electrical and instrumentation maintenance technologist program will train students on testing, calibrating, installation, repairing, and inspection of manufacturing equipment and monitoring devices. Students will also learn general maintenance of equipment and design new equipment. (4.27.20)

• National Skilled Trades Day Now Has a Featured Spot on the Calendar | Observed annually, on the first Wednesday in May, NSTD works to raise awareness to 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. Source

• March 28th, 2019: National Skilled Trades Day Established to Raise Awareness for Skilled Trades

• March 26th, 2019: CMT Establishes National Skilled Trades Day

The jobs and people who keep America running are too essential to our economy to overlook. This Wednesday, let's help to open minds - and doors - by sharing and highlighting the need and importance of skilled trades.

Thanks for reading,
Andrea Baumann

community advocate • marketing consultant • voice for small business