High School Confidential

In a recent post I noted that this area has a number of high-skilled, well-paid jobs that only require a high school diploma. Lumping the machinists and plumbers in with Chairman of the Board at Microsoft is fun and hopefully surprising enough to create an idea that's made to stick.

Over the past couple of months I've notice a number of articles, commentaries and radio pieces around the skilled trades. Many of them point out that there is a looming employment shortfall due to the high number of retirements and the low number of people entering the trades. School come in for some blame for over-emphasizing college for everyone.

Without further adieu, here are your links:

1. Snohomish grad Brian Harbeck is skipping college and heading off to a precision machining apprenticeship program. The Herald article describes how his father maybe following in his footsteps.
   
2. Arlington manufacturing businesses partnered with the school district to develop a career center for machinist and skilled trades.
3. Rosemary Brester from Hobart Machined Products wrote a guest commentary on the need for stronger math skills for all students, not just those going on to college.
   
4. Still another Herald article on the concern over passing the WASL discouraging students from attending vocational programs such as at Sno-Isle tech skills center.
5. KUOW ran a two-part piece (part 1, part 2) on skilled trades, worker shortages and the role of high schools.

Tags: Everett Herald, Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center , Rosemary Brester, KUOW, Brian Harbeck