Trades Are REAL!!!

I did not write the original message, but as our industry falls short of interested skilled workers to run our equipment it needs to be said! We must figure out a way to reach these kids in High School and not wait for them to magically land in the printing industry. Lets change the message, change the means and let them know how amazing PRINT is. Its not aprons, grease, and missing fingers anymore....have you seen presses these days?

Original Article, Author Unknown: In High school I wonder why they pushed college on us so hard instead of trades?

They didn't tell me union plumbers can make $1,600 a week with NO OT and NO DEGREE.. or that truck drivers can make 6 bands if they buy their own truck with NO Degree? Or that traveling welders can make 100,000 a year with NO Degree.

For some reason they made it seem like college was the only way to be successful. I swear... it's as if the guidance counselors training was to redirect our thinking and to fixate our minds and success in life based off the results we get from the college we choose. Notice they never mentioned us starting a business or even taught us how to in school? They always made sure they pushed the collegiate agenda and never even mentioned an outside option like trade school.

Our school system is not designed to make bosses. It's designed to make slaves. Otherwise they would train us to be self employed and self sufficient. They do not. Teach your children that they are more than just a piece of paper. Their minds can expand pass the average status quo and that they have skills that can not be put on paper. There are great engineers right now managing a restaurant because they listened to their guidance counselor instead of their heart.

My son is now 20 years old and running a press here in Cincinnati and I cannot be more proud of his decision, his work ethic and his career path. We sat down his senior year and talked through many options including college and the military. I told him that in Cincinnati alone there are over 30 printing companies and all of them are looking for press operators. Learn the skill and it can take you anywhere in the world, literally! I know converters in all corners of the world and the all have the same needs.....operators!!

#GetThemInHighSchool #TradesAreReal #ItsOnUsToAttractThem #ILovePrint