Shop class is coming back!
With more job openings in the trades and more questions around the value of a four-year college degree, high schools are turning their attention back to equipping the next generation with hands-on technical skills.
Until the 1950s, everyone took shop class – or career and technical education (CTE) courses. But then, the idea of “tracking” caught on. So, a college-bound student would take advanced writing, math, history, and science classes. A student on a non-college track took vocational training with basic academic courses.
The emphasis shifted to preparing students for college – and that’s where it’s stayed for decades. At the same time, funding for career and technical education significantly decreased. The message that students needed a four-year degree to succeed was repeated, and repeated.
Gary Bernstein, who teaches career and technical education at Frelinghuysen Middle School in Morristown, New Jersey, says, “It’s literally the most important class outside of the core classes because it’s the only subject where kids can use knowledge and skills from all their classes.” He adds, “There is a serious shortage of people who ‘know how to do things’ in our country.”
Shop class – or career and technical education – can benefit students in many ways, including:
Exposure to Trade Skills: This can help to spark interest and passion in young people, and can lead to more students pursuing careers in the building trades.
Hands-On Learning: This type of learning is incredibly valuable for students who may not do well in traditional classroom settings. By providing a different type of learning experience, we can help more students to succeed academically and professionally.
Problem-Solving Skills: Students working on a woodworking or welding project will need to think creatively to find solutions. This type of problem-solving skill is essential for success in many trade careers.
Critical Thinking Skills: Students will need to think critically about the materials they are using, the tools they need, and the steps they need to take to complete the project successfully.
Job Opportunities: By preparing more young people for careers in the building trades, we can help to close the skills gap and ensure that there are enough workers to complete projects. This can lead to more job opportunities for young people, and can help to boost the economy in many communities.
Preparation for Trade Careers: By learning practical skills such as woodworking, metalworking, and automotive repair, students can develop the skills they need to be successful in fields such as construction, plumbing, and electrical work.
We also cannot forget the critical labor shortage facing the skilled trades industry. Without engaging and training the next generation, millions of jobs will continue to go unfilled. For businesses, this means scrambling to find sufficient staff, turning down jobs, project delays, and cost overruns.
And for you? It means that if you hone these skills, you’re going to be a sought-after worker with more ability to be choosy about your job!
Fortunately, we’re seeing the beginnings of a resurgence in career and technical education. Many states have implemented laws or policies granting increased funding for vocational programs: Montana, for example, doubled down on spending for secondary CTE, while Nevada tripled it.