Education
Responses: 6
5
5
0
Maj John Bell Once unions weakened, there was no system to operate and formalize apprentice programs. "Upgraders" learned some of a trade, went elsewhere, learned a little more and increased their wages as their skills increased. A few unions hung in with valid training programs, but again as soon as qualified to actually perform journeyman level work, they would rush out of the training cocoon for the journeyman level wages.
The newfound freedom of being able to hire elsewhere led to the demise of the trade unions. Now, unions survive as spokespersons for civil servants and teachers.
Now, a tradesman will quit and vote with his feet to get a better job or one w/ better benefits.
The newfound freedom of being able to hire elsewhere led to the demise of the trade unions. Now, unions survive as spokespersons for civil servants and teachers.
Now, a tradesman will quit and vote with his feet to get a better job or one w/ better benefits.
(5)
(0)
4
4
0
This is a helluva good question. One which has several answers. CSM Charles Hayden offers one good explanation in which he describes the lack of a system to administer apprentice programs inasmuch as trade unions, which served as guilds once did, are failing. Another is the demise of vocational education. I grew up in Maryland which had a magnificent system of trade schools. One near me, Mergenthaler Vocational High School, sticks in my memory. Although I never attended it, I can still remember seeing and hearing about its excellent programs. When I arrived in California, I wondered at the lack of such facilities here and asked about them. I was told that vocational education had been eliminated in the state because it was discriminatory, appealing to minorities to keep them limited in their career options. Don't laugh. I had seen the practice of subjugating minorities at work in Hawaii when I lived there. The descendants of the missionary families established schools for the islanders to train them in useful trades such as chauffeurs and mains to serve their betters.
Interestingly, while living in Colorado, the state legislature considered a law allowing students of law to study at the feet of established attorneys as was the practice in early America and other parts of the world. Of course, the state bar association jumped into the fray and blocked the proposal. One wonders why?
It's a difficult balance, offering children vocational opportunities without limiting their choices based on prejudicial notions. However, it's worth the effort to do better, isn't it. Not everyone needs a college education. There are many fine craftsmen and tradesmen who earn more than college graduates and the lack of candidates to fill these opportunities wounds our society. Common Core is an expression of this misguided notion that all children should have a college education whether they want or qualify for it or not. For example, while most of us subsist quite nicely with a basic education in math (hell, a CPA uses math for little more to add and subtract debits and credits or occasionally uses simple multiplication or division to figure a percentage or discount) Common Core seeks to prepare all students for high forms of math by exposing them to mathematical theory. That's just stupid.
In composing this response I checked to see if Mergenthaler was still in business or if it had been destroyed by the good intentions of some social do gooder. Thankfully it seems to be still there
http://www.mervo.org/ I hope that it continues its fine work and that others will emulate its lead
Interestingly, while living in Colorado, the state legislature considered a law allowing students of law to study at the feet of established attorneys as was the practice in early America and other parts of the world. Of course, the state bar association jumped into the fray and blocked the proposal. One wonders why?
It's a difficult balance, offering children vocational opportunities without limiting their choices based on prejudicial notions. However, it's worth the effort to do better, isn't it. Not everyone needs a college education. There are many fine craftsmen and tradesmen who earn more than college graduates and the lack of candidates to fill these opportunities wounds our society. Common Core is an expression of this misguided notion that all children should have a college education whether they want or qualify for it or not. For example, while most of us subsist quite nicely with a basic education in math (hell, a CPA uses math for little more to add and subtract debits and credits or occasionally uses simple multiplication or division to figure a percentage or discount) Common Core seeks to prepare all students for high forms of math by exposing them to mathematical theory. That's just stupid.
In composing this response I checked to see if Mergenthaler was still in business or if it had been destroyed by the good intentions of some social do gooder. Thankfully it seems to be still there
http://www.mervo.org/ I hope that it continues its fine work and that others will emulate its lead
Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School
Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School
(4)
(0)
CPT Jack Durish
CSM Charles Hayden - Let's hope they stay off the radar of the U.S. Dept of Education and have a chance of succeeding
(0)
(0)
Maj John Bell
I am semi-retired now. I farm and do restoration wood working. I learned both after I retired. I found willing mentors and volunteered, interned, apprenticed. In a surprisingly short-time period I learned enough to make money at both. I'd like to think I'm smart, but I'm not really any smarter than the average bear. It paid off because I was interested. I see to may kids in classrooms that couldn't care less about what is presented to them. At some point, perhaps as early as 7th grade some kids clearly aren't being well-served by the conventional school process. Why reinforce failure? Find out what they want to do and someone who is successful at it to be their mentor. I'd much rather spend tax dollars there than turn out high school grads that can't spell their way out of a box and have no practical income earning skills or job-holding discipline. Bernie Sanders free college plans scare me because I see a college system that will be overloaded with kids that are there because it's what you do next. I agree education is the key to success. It's just a shame that most employers seem to think college is the only viable education.
(1)
(0)
CPT Jack Durish
Maj John Bell - My first published book, a novella, was written for college students with a third grade reading level. Yes, things have really gotten that bad.
(1)
(0)
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
There's been a large increase in the Tech Schools which crank out various things like welders, etc. Then the experience and certification levels are next, hence a desire to work at companies where you can progress. That's what my nephew did. There are still some dedicated programs out there like the Shipyards. They typically tie themselves to a community college for subjects surrounding the trades. Olympic College in Bremerton does that. In addition, they host a Wazzu accredited Mechanical Engineering program for the Shipyard as they need so many. With the age demographics hitting them hard right now, PSNS is hiring 2 for every retiree. Quite a heavy demand signal. Starting out at a touch over $12/hr and hitting $24 after 3 years, with benefits, not bad in these times.
(3)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google