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Chairman's Message - TRADES VERSUS COLLEGE: THE TIDES HAVE TURNED

Words: Dick Dentinger


In the late 1990s, I was part of a group of Minnesota mason contractors who tried very hard to initiate an effort to introduce high schoolers to the opportunities available to those who would choose a career in the construction trades. We called on school districts, who then put us in contact with the individual schools. If we were allowed past the gatekeepers at the schools, we were then put in touch with department heads and counselors within the schools. Once we finally got through to the decision maker, we were always met with obvious apprehension as they realized we were trying to promote a career in construction crafts. Even when they allowed us in, they always reminded us that the schools hoped to steer their juniors and seniors to a future that involved going to college.

On occasions where we were allowed to speak to students, they were usually firmly tuned out from our presentations. The perceptions of such a career choice were dyed in indelible negative impressions from years of subtle and not-so-subtle influences in their lives. Choosing college was always the preferred choice. The influencers of that era were the majority of the education infrastructure up through twelfth grade. Also, the moms and dads who for decades preached in the living rooms and dinner tables of the majority of households throughout our country about the importance of getting a college degree. Sadly, at that time, it was also not uncommon to hear older bricklayers, carpenters, and concrete finishers boast how there was no way they would allow their kids to take up the same career path as they chose.

These were the societal pressures selling against choosing a career in skilled trades rather than college that we faced when trying to find talented young entrants to our trades. Much of society had stamped the construction trades as a choice for those who couldn’t find their way or couldn’t go to college. Instead, it should have carried a badge of respect for representing unique and valuable skills, important work, and a truly viable and rewarding career.

If we think about it, it’s reasonable to understand the changes in perceptions of construction careers throughout the 20th century. In the early 1900s, construction tradespeople were critical to our economy and experienced strong growth. It was perceived as a noble career choice. This mindset steadied for decades before careers in construction slowly became looked on as a less fashionable choice by the 1990s. During that span, our country went from a booming industrial revolution that caused the need to build factories, ships, roadways, and railways. Skilled tradespeople were valued and respected. We turned untapped acres and even desolate desert towns into bustling cities needing newly constructed homes, office buildings, and infrastructure.

In later decades, we experienced new industrial revolutions as we witnessed modern inventions that spawned countless technical advances. This produced an explosion of new industries, the blossoming of new Fortune 500 companies, and the need for seemingly endless technical and office-related jobs to be filled. This created dramatic pressure to entice young people to pursue college degrees.

Thankfully, the tides have turned again over the last decade or so. Our society is changing back to embracing the concept that skilled tradespeople are just as important to our economy and that choosing a career in the construction trades is admirable and often more financially wise. It has been a treat to watch the change in attitudes as school administrators and counselors are now working hard to include the trades as an area to recommend that students make their living. Parents, too, are openly asking their sons and daughters to contemplate all options for a career, even those that do not involve college.

There are numerous studies out there that back up this change. In fact, last month, a retired North Carolina MCAA legend (Lynn Nash), sent me a note pointing out how a Gallup Poll shows just 35% of U.S. adults rate the importance of college as "very important". Mr. Nash noted the most important part to grasp here is how it compares to the same question when asked in 2019 (53%), 2013 (70%), and 2010 (75%). In fifteen years, U.S. adults went from 75% down to 35% in their belief that college was “very important”. Obviously, there exist careers that require a formal college degree, such as for attorneys, practicing medicine, and engineering, among others. However, for many career paths, it becomes impractical to choose college when weighing the income earned against the lost years away from earning wages, the costs of tuition, the interest on student loans, and then projecting how long it will take to get above water. In construction, we earn salary and wages immediately as we learn valuable skills.

Actuaries can slice the scenarios up in countless ways depending on what a high school graduate wants to do to earn a living and reach their goals. Either direction is a good choice depending on what a high school graduate envisions for their goals, objectives for work, and what they enjoy doing for a living. The very good news is society is absolutely restoring the perception of how a career in construction should often be a top choice for the best and brightest young adults looking to start making their journey in the workforce. We’re excited to welcome them to a rewarding and exciting career in our industry.


About: Chairman’s Message
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