SkillsUSA and Klein Tools Sponsor National Signing Day for High Schoolers Entering Trade Careers
There’s no question that the gap in trade jobs and skilled workers is concerning. SkillsUSA and Klein Tools are doing something about it with a National Signing Day for Tradesman.
10-Second Summary
- National Signing Day is May 8, 2019
- The program includes 2500 high school seniors at some 500 SkillsUSA chapter high schools
- Friends, family, teachers, administrators, and elected officials are invited to attend
- 83% of companies report a moderate to serious skilled worker shortage
- The US sits at 600,000 unfilled trade jobs
National Signing Day – Tradesman Edition
National Signing Day – Tradesman EditionMay 8, 2019, is Tradesman National Signing Day where high school seniors will join school administrators, teachers, elected officials, family, friends, and SkillsUSA advisors in publically announcing their decision.
Seniors get to sign letters of intent for job offers, apprenticeships, or technical training for the trade of their choice. Klein Tools will be hosting live look-ins on their Facebook page throughout the day so you can celebrate with these young men and women along with offering words of encouragement.
Signers don’t leave empty-handed. Klein is providing signing kits that include a hat, t-shirt, and Klein pliers (that could last their entire career!). They also have the option to purchase a full Klein Tools starter set from Home Depot at a discount. That makes a great graduation gift (hint, hint).
With 83% of companies reporting moderate to serious skilled workers shortages and an overall shortage around 600,000, programs like this can make a real difference moving forward.
My Take
Personally, I think this is a fantastic idea. I’m tired of watching high school athletes take up television airtime and sports news headlines to put on a ball cap for the university they may or may not actually attend where they’ve been given a free ride and a fast track to the wealth of professional athletics.
The idea of publically celebrating students who choose to work with their hands to literally build our country and the stadiums we worship those athletes in is long overdue. I hope this helps bring attention to the trades as a legitimate career with high earning potential and turns the ship away from the misguided mindset that everyone needs a college degree to get ahead in life.
