Why Trades Are Vital for Barry County: How The Hub Is Creating Hands-On Career Exploration Pathways
Trades jobs are essential to the well-being of our communities and economies. Electricians, plumbers, welders, and other tradespeople provide us with the vital services we need to keep our homes and businesses running smoothly. Trades jobs offer stable, well-paying career paths that don't require expensive four-year degrees. In Barry County, The Hub of Barry County is working to create hands-on career exploration opportunities that help young people discover their potential in the trades.
In this article, we'll explore why trades are so essential, how The Hub of Barry County is making a positive impact on the community, and why you should support their mission.
The Importance of Trades
Trades jobs play a critical role in our communities and economies. Without tradespeople, our homes and businesses would suffer from unreliable and inadequate infrastructure and services. Tradespeople help us build and maintain the infrastructure that makes our modern society possible. They keep our lights on, our water flowing, and our homes warm.
In addition, trades jobs offer stable, well-paying career paths that don't require expensive four-year degrees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many trades jobs pay a median wage of around $50,000 or more per year, with some trades offering even higher salaries. These jobs provide an alternative to the traditional college education path, which may not be suitable for everyone.
The Challenges with Traditional College Education
However, many people still believe that a four-year college degree is the only path to a successful career. This attitude has led to a shortage of skilled tradespeople, as many young people are encouraged to pursue higher education without considering alternative paths. This shortage is particularly acute in Barry County, where many baby boomers are retiring from trades jobs, leaving a gap in the workforce.
The Solution: The Hub of Barry County
The Hub of Barry County is a hands-on career exploration and skills center that's dedicated to helping young people explore careers in the trades. By providing hands-on mentor-based learning opportunities, The Hub is helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in trades jobs. The HUB project is a collaboration between local primary schools, secondary higher educational institutes, and community businesses.
The Impact of The Hub of Barry County
The Hub of Barry County is making a positive impact on the community by creating opportunities for young people to pursue careers in the trades. Through its programs, The Hub is helping to bridge the skills gap and create a pipeline of skilled tradespeople who can keep our communities running. The Hub is also working to change the perception of trades careers by showing young people that trades jobs can be rewarding and fulfilling.
Why You Should Support The Hub of Barry County
By supporting The Hub of Barry County, you're helping to create opportunities for young people to pursue careers in the trades. You're also supporting the local economy by helping to fill the skills gap and providing businesses with the skilled tradespeople they need to succeed. In addition, by supporting The Hub, you're helping to change the perception of trades careers and showing young people that trades jobs can be rewarding and fulfilling.
a skilled workforce to keep our communities running. The Hub of Barry County is making a positive impact on the community by providing hands-on mentor-based learning opportunities and changing the perception of trades careers. Through its programs, The Hub is helping to bridge the skills gap and create a pipeline of skilled tradespeople who can keep our communities running. By supporting The Hub of Barry County, you're helping to create opportunities for young people to pursue fulfilling careers in the trades and providing businesses with the skilled tradespeople they need to succeed.
Conclusion
Trades jobs are vital to the well-being of our communities and economies, and The Hub of Barry County is an important resource for the community. By offering hands-on, experiential learning opportunities, The Hub is creating a new generation of skilled tradespeople who will be able to keep our communities running for years to come. The Hub's programs are helping to change the perception of trades careers and showing young people that trades jobs can be rewarding and fulfilling. If you're passionate about creating opportunities for young people to pursue careers in the trades and supporting the local economy, then consider supporting The Hub of Barry County. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community.
For More Information: Call 269-908-9137 or email Chris Stafford at cstafford@hubofbc.com
Sources: - Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Occupational outlook handbook: Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/home.htm
- Carnevale, A. P., Smith, N., & Strohl, J. (2013). Recovery: Job growth and education requirements through 2020. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Retrieved from https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Recovery2020.FR_.Web_.pdf
- National Center for Education Statistics. (2021). Fast facts: Costs of college. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=76