US is suffering from lack of Skills

It should NOT come as a shock to anyone, that the US doesn't build nor making anything for themselves any longer. What that means is we lack skills and thus our own ability to compete on the global level is almost none.  (Of course this excludes anything financial, we can create this till the cows come home.)

Nor is it a secret that the US public school system is failing everyone via the K-12 programming camps. They don't teach (reading, writing nor arithmetic, let alone civics) any longer. Why have a knowledgeable citizen that can understand how the country is supposed to work.

SkillsUSA is changing that daily, by going about it via building skills that people can use their entire lives and to build careers.

Who is SkillsUSA? is a United States career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 high school, college and middle school students and professional members enrolled in training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.

Partnerships stand at 650 and counting, some famous names you might recognize. 

• Lowes (USA Based 'Big Box' Hardware store
• Tractor Supply (TSC) - They sell everything for outdoor/indoor working needs, well except for tractors. Yeah, don't get me started...

What Skills does SkillsUSA focus on? They offer a huge variety of skills, some are related to high tech while others are vocational, while others are soft skills such as communication and self-motivation.  If, I was a young lad, just starting out I would not line the pockets of the University and take out loans, I would submerge myself in a trade such as welding, plumbing or electrical.  These skills are always in demand and by the time the party crowd 'graduates' I would have 4-6 years (don't joke that is how long it takes most to complete their set of University requirements and thus I would have a bevy of real world experience on the recent grads. Not to mention being less in debt.

Skilled and Technical Skills - an abbreviated list

• 3D Visualization and Animation
• Additive Manufacturing
• Advertising Design
• Architectural Drafting
• Aviation Maintenance Technology
• Basic Health Care Skills
• Cabinetmaking
• Carpentry
• CNC Milling Specialist
• Diesel Equipment Technology
• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
• Industrial Motor Control
• Information Technology Services
• Masonry
• Mechatronics
• Mobile Electronics Installation
• Mobile Robotics Technology
• Plumbing
• Robotics and Automation Technology
• Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue
• Sheet Metal
• Technical Drafting
• Web Design and Development
• Welding
  • Welding Fabrication

SkillsUSA is based in Leesburg, Virginia 

They offer competitions and contests to keep the students engaged. 

Summary - Not all of these jobs are sexy nor desired by all, but hard work and dedication to quality was what made this country great on a global level. I believe we need more investment into programs like these to regain what we have lost as a nation. Kudos for putting together such a great, well rounded offering. 

Credits - all images belong to SkillsUSA, no ownership representation nor transference is intended. All credit to SkillsUSA

Disclaimer - I am not an employee nor an agent of SkillsUSA, although I must offer my hats off praise for them and their efforts.