Higher Education and the Trade Skills Shortage

Today, we conclude our discussion with Dr. Quintin Kidd of the Judy Wason Center for Public Policy at CNU. Recently, Dr. Kidd conducted a survey of Peninsula residents on their perception of prestige and the skilled trades. Dr. Kidd found that there is a cultural bias against traditional skilled trade work and parents usually will encourage their children towards professional jobs like doctors and lawyers. He says that our public education and their lack of vocational training is one factor in the decline of available skilled trade workers that industry leaders are increasingly having difficulty in recruiting. Another factor is in higher education- Dr. Kidd says the number of four year institutions that focus upon liberal arts could be a cause for the decline. As college costs have exploded over the past decade, some students are graduating with what has been termed “ crippling debt” – with debt at times going over 100,000 dollars for a four year degree. And, as Dr. Kidd points out, this cost is not going to go down. However, the earning potential for some skilled trades is going up and with no or minimal associated debt in getting the certification. Kidd says, parents and students are having to face this reality.