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[Steve Ashton]

I am a fan of the TV presenter Mike Rowe. His MikeRoweworks.org publish some very interesting ideas. One of his quotes is - " A good paying, rewarding job does not always require a 4 year degree."

And "America has become slowly but undeniably disconnected from the most fundamental elements of civilization—food, energy, education, and the very nature of work itself.
Over the last 30 years, America has convinced itself that the best path for the most people is an expensive, four-year degree. Pop culture has glorified the “corner office job” while unintentionally belittling the jobs that helped build the corner office.

As a result, our society has devalued any other path to success and happiness. Community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs are labeled as “alternative.” Millions of well-intended parents and guidance counselors see apprenticeships and on-the-job training opportunities as “vocational consolation prizes,” best suited for those not cut out for the brass ring: a four-year degree. The push for higher education has coincided with the removal of vocational arts from high schools nationwide. And the effects of this one-two punch have laid the foundation for a widening skills gap and massive student loan debt."

He says "America is lending money it doesn't have, to kids who can't pay it back, to train them for jobs that no longer exist. That's nuts."

The phrase "Work Ethic" is seen by many people as a dirty word, as something you don't talk about, because if you do you end up coming across like an old angry man shaking his fist at the younger generation.

And yet, according to current US employment figures, of those who currently do not have a job, a growing number are not unemployed, they are simply not looking for, or want to work. They will not take a job of any kind if offered it.

Since Covid the number of jobs that are available, but unfilled, has soared over 40%.

This morning one of the big news articles has the headline, "Bare minimum Monday as a form of self-care." And the presenters on TV are praising that as a good thing. As "good mental health", as something to aspire to and make into the societal norm so we can all feel better about doing less.

The biggest lie of my generation was the posters that were in every High School Guidance Counselors' office. It showed a guy or girl in academic robes holding their brand new diploma. The caption was "Work smarter, not harder". Like you were the smart one and that piece of paper had just solved all of your life's troubles.
That has caused a skills gap.
How many unemployed degree holders do you know? Ever seen an unemployed plumber or electrician or carpenter? Most trades earn high 6 figure annual incomes. And if they could cram just a couple more hours onto the 24 hour day they could easily bump that into 7 figures.

Work is not the enemy and work in the trades is not menial labor. The guidance counselor poster should have read - "Work Smart, Learn A Skill, Master That Skill, Then Work Your Butt Off Doing It."