Well, I'm Officially Old...

[lew]

Got an email today from my teaching partner, he has retired.

 

I met this young man when he started in my Electronics class at the local Vo-Tech school in 1974. Three years later, he graduated from that program and went to work at the local Army Depot as an Electronics Bench Technician. Fast forward to 1999 when I was asked to teach a new program- Computer Technology (that course was taken over by another one of my students- who is now the director of another Vocational program and considering retirement). In 1999 the new course had 20 students. By 2000, the numbers doubled, plus a couple. Forty+ students, in a vocation program is not manageable, even if you have a PhD in herding cats. It was time to hire a second instructor and this young man was interviewed and hired. We taught together for three years, until I retired for family health reasons. Shortly there after, those problems resolved themselves and I returned to the school as a substitute and worked closely with him until I finally hung up my paddle and water gun in 2020.

 

I watched this young man grow for over 50 years. It's hard to believe how time files and how wonderful it is to see kids grow into mature productive adults. I have not been able to keep track of everyone of "my kids" but I do have a senior picture of every one of them. Some have passed away, a few were not as successful as I had hoped, but most have gone on to productive lives- not all in the field I taught- but successful just the same. Four, that I know of, went on to be teachers. Some still come around the house and say hi and keep me up to date.

 

Thanks for allowing me to reminisce. 

[HARO50]

2 hours ago, lew said:

Thanks for allowing me to reminisce. 

Thank YOU for the touching story!

[Grandpadave52]

I'm thankful for the years you contributed to the Vo-Tech trades. Sadly, most school systems gutted them from the mid 80's to the early 2000's before they realized not every kid is suited to a four year college degree. They finally realized they needed someone to build their houses, do their plumbing, electrical work, repair their cars, computers, furnaces and so on.

 

In my last paying gig we had trouble finding quality candidates for entry level manufacturing positions both assembly and machine tools. I used to visit high schools as well as trade schools beginning with even 8th grade up to start recruiting.

 

I also worked with area trade schools and  community colleges to develop apprenticeship programs to help fill the gap as well as writing, receiving and managing training grants from the state of Indiana to maintain those programs as well as our own internal programs.

 

Internally, I taught engine classes, shop math, Statistical Process Control, Basic Print Reading and a few others. I had a counterpart who taught Advanced Print Reading, Geometric Tolerancing and Dimensioning, Basic Machine Tooling. Additionally we brought in classes for basic CNC programming, tooling and operation as well as partnering with our local community college.

 

I also helped establish and oversee an intense 16 week welding program at one of our facilities in Illinois. Welders (good and certified) were hard to come by.

 

I conducted hundreds of interviews for these types of positions; we just couldn't find qualified people even at the entry level.

 

Frustrating at times, but by far the most rewarding part of my diverse 24 year manufacturing career.

 

I run into some of my former hires or students who now have retired so I get it.

 

Sorry, did not mean to take away from your post Lew. I just still get really fired up when talking about the trades and Vo-tech. It's what built this country and now it's finally becoming important and highly respected again.

 

You, like many others, were the pioneers and catalyst to up the game in the latter half of the 20th century and keeping it going into this century. Seeing your students retire from the field is the greatest compliment one can receive.

[lew]

@HARO50 and @Grandpadave52 Thank you for the kind words. Vocational Education is dear to my heart. I am the product of the Building Trade program- one of only 5 programs in my high school. Those 5 programs were the impetus for our local Vocational School (opened in 1969 and stronger than ever). I still occasionally eat breakfast with my Vocational Instructor!

[Gunny]

We need more Vocational Training and less basket weaving degrees.

[Gene Howe]

At the wages skilled tradesmen command here in AZ, our vo-tech programs at the HS level and other educational institutions have no problems attracting students. It's great to see.

One of our sons is a mechanic for big rigs and the other son is a sort of QC inspector for Raytheon. They do quite well. However, neither was formally trained.

[Gunny]

Here in Atlanta Vocational Training in HS went away a decade ago.  At the current wage if 18-20$ for mechanics these businesses are screaming for help. While guys go fo something else for better pay and no 100K investment in tools for $20 hr on commission.  

[lew]

58 minutes ago, Gunny said:

Here in Atlanta Vocational Training in HS went away a decade ago