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Mike’s Mission Video

Labor Day 2008 – Mike describes the origin of mikeroweWORKS.com

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351 Comments

Hey Cousin Mike: Robyn Rowe just shared your site information with me, so I eagerly pursued her link. After watching your mission statement, I must say ‘RIGHT ON!!!’ I look forward to investigating the rest of your site, but I’m taking this moment to share my supportive enthusiasm. Here’s to using your mouthpiece well! Amanda

Amanda Dunbar Rogers | 08/01/09 | 3:26 pm
I would like to share this video via email how can I do that?

Mary Walker | 08/03/09 | 3:01 pm
This problem is actually worldwide. Thank you so much for saying what I believe a lot of people were thinking. “RIGHT ON!” indeed. I recognized a while ago how important it is to have knowledge in trade skills. I fully intend to steer my little boy towards obtaining AND using such knowledge. BTW you didn’t alienate me. Fan #16

Karen | 08/04/09 | 4:00 am
This is great. Get Real CA – http://www.getrealca.com is working on getting technical education back in California schools and having those classes be taken more seriously by administration. Check it out, right in line with your mission.

Shannon | 08/05/09 | 1:02 pm
Mike,

Awesome “sincerity” shown here. I regretfully have lost touch with your work on Dirty Jobs over the past few months as the economy has pushed me underground and away from the expense of cable or sattelite tv. That aside, I stumbled back into your world today at your new website and am thrilled to find you on the front lines of pressing issues affecting not only our country but the world. If I might do my small part in contributing to this debate I would like to suggest that some efforts be devoted to renewing “apprenticeship”, “journeyman” ways of old by encouraging the retiring workforce to consider starting or participating in non-profit trade programs. Let that be their legacy to the next generation. Don’t wait for the crumbling infrastructure to step in, they’ll only be looking for the profits in educating the next generation. Let those that know the art best do it the way they did generations ago, a few at a time, with patience and love.

I have recently found one such businss that is succeeding in this approach, albeit small, it is working! Their website is listed below for your enjoyment. Prior to the era of “Rosie the Riveter” another young businessman saw potential of a similar kind. As you may or may not know, some of nations oldest trades owe their legacy in part to non other than J.D. Rockefeller Jr. and Colonial Williamsburg. To this day a $1 million dollar endowment he bestowed to create the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation still lives on and serves to educate a small workforce of journeymen skilled as gunsmiths, cabinet makers, cobblers, coopers, and silversmith, just to name a few. Although this helps educate and produce wares on a small scale for a select few trades – why must it stop there? If he could plant the seeds of this program with $1 million dollars over 50 yrs ago, why can’t we plant bigger seeds with bigger dreams of the same today?

Check out the following two websites for some non-profit that are alive and working today to do their part in tackling this pressing need and good luck in getting your ideas to soar! I’m behind you 100% – and please get the ladies involved. We may be plentiful in the service industry, but some of us secretly want to swing hammers, dig ditches and build bridges too!

Non-profit business teaching others the are of deconstruction in Baltimore:
http://secondchanceinc.org/default.aspx?kw=aboutus

Non-profie school teaching others dying trades, including the art of beer making! :
http://www.bc3.edu/heritage-school/

Sincerly,
Danyelle

Danyelle | 08/07/09 | 3:38 pm
Props Mike! I totally agree on all aspects. Im a bricklayer and have been since i was 15 when i dropped out of high school to support my disabled parents. for the record im 26 now, and yes, i did earn my diploma. I love my job…I make great money and ive earned the respect of co-workers twice my age, but most importantly is the incredable sense of worth that fills my chest when i see a long hard project completed. i see the majority of my generation either going to college for a desk job, or living at home in their parents basement. What happened to society? The change since my fathers childhood days to mine is phenominal! Just keep doing what you are doing…you have all of our support.

Cliff Warble | 08/08/09 | 5:55 pm
You know what, you have totally inspired me Mike. A short story….I’ve been a nurse for almost 22 years, I started as a nursing assistant while in LPN school at Sparks State Technical College years ago, graduated, had apptitude for nursing and after a nasty divorce and 2 kids depending on me, I went back to school for my RN. It was a grueling 12 month mobility program that gave credit for practical nursing experience, I do mean grueling too! There are no more diploma or mobility programs for nurses,there are BSN programs that teach theory but nothing that teaches you to walk into a sick persons room and care. Nursing entered into the 21st century so hellbent on being considered “the business of caring” that it abandoned the true purpose of what a nurse is, what nursing is…a skill, everyone CAN’T do it, even if the paychecks good because if you suck at dealing with people who need to trust you to look out for them when they are sick, or when they can’t look out for themselves, or their scared or angry or griving, then your BSN is crap. The nurses who *mentored* me to be a nurse, are all gone and few if any nursing instructors now care, period to teach what nursing really is. And to be an LPN or an Associates degree RN is almost completely inferior, literally thats how you are veiwed and treated. Ok enough rant, I am obviously a little bitter and alot angry.

Anyway…after 3 hospital closures, 1 government VA hospital layoff in 97, and most recently being *replaced in my position* and forced to draw unemployment because I broke my shoulder,(and well, an injury or two at my age makes you undesirable apparently to be a nurse)..and of course years of watching the profession I love be downgraded and dehumanized into a *business*, I’m done Mike. I’ve always wanted to be a carpenter lol, honestly,since I was a kid I’ve loved working with wood. Back in the day it was a bit unsavory for a woman to want such things, you know?! ehehe but now at 46, hey, I can do anything I wanna do and I’m gonna. Going to the local tech school tomorrow morning, gimme a year, maybe 2 and you can come to my *dirty job* site and get dirty!

You know, sometimes it’s not about money, it’s about being good at something, the satisfaction of doing the job right and knowing that to the core of your being when you walk away from it. I was an exceptional nurse, I will be an equally exceptional carpenter.
Carol=)

Carol, RN | 08/09/09 | 5:14 pm
Mike,

I really like the site and sgree that we need more skilled labor. I’m an electrician in the Air Force Reserve and learned the trade through them. We do need to take back American trade and learn to teach the efforts of our fore fathers, it’s easy to see around this great nation all the hard work and effort that was put into our infrastucture and alot of the beauty lives on it just needs good skilled labor to put it back in a more modern way. I have always liked your show and you truly are a great american.

MSgt Doug N.

Doug N. | 08/10/09 | 1:00 pm
I completely agree with you Mike!!!You are right on. My family and I have been thinking these same thoughts for years. We could see it coming-ya know?! Hard work shouldn’t be abnormal or looked down upon.
A little hard work never killed anyone..right?
Keep it up!! we support you.

carrie | 08/11/09 | 7:23 pm
Dear Mike, I recently picked up a new Granger catalog and read the forward (Amen Brother). I’m 25 years an electrican 16 years selfemployed. I love my job and my customers love me and my people, problem is my people are my age or older. Not many young people wanting to sweat and get dirty. Love your work keep it up will be checking in. Carl

Carl Rodenberg | 08/12/09 | 4:55 pm
Dear Mike,
Please consider me a fan! I love your show and your Ford commercials. I agree that more people need to go to trade school because not everyone is college material.
Kathy

Kathy | 08/14/09 | 11:17 am
Right on, I am an agriculture instructor and I see the same things that you are talking about everyday. Go man Go

Shawn Dygert | 08/14/09 | 1:54 pm
Wow. Worshipping the wrong things puts it in a nutshell. I’m 61, so I’ve lived long enough to see 180-degree changes in our collective priorities, ethics, pastimes, modes of entertainment and general attitude toward our surroundings.
Sad to say, most of these changes are for the worse.
I’m an artist, so it could be argued that I don’t contribute much in the way of necessary labor. (It may also be argued that life without music or art would be really bleak!) But I DO know how to make clothing. I know how to grow vegetables, paint a house, change a tire, bake a pie from scratch, refinish a piece of furniture, make a basket out of a palm frond, crochet a blanket, set tile, make jewelry and cut hair. These are things I learned from necessity — by being too poor most of my life to pay someone else to do them. The saddest thing about the accumulated knowledge and skills of an older person is not being able to impart that knowledge to the younger generations. I don’t know about anyone else’s children or grandchildren, but mine don’t want to hear it. They think, I suppose like we all did in our day, that the future will take care of itself.
I’m not so sure this time.

Linda Gross | 08/14/09 | 8:12 pm
Thank you, Mike, for sticking up for what you believe in, are passionate about, and feel strongly for. As a teacher, I am embolden to continue to focus on those students who see school as a dreary place, hoping to just get their hands dirty too. I am reminded that not everyone learns as I do. Thank you, Mike for being that spokesperson.

Ryan

Ryan Vanden Heuvel | 08/16/09 | 8:33 pm
I absolutely agree with the premise that rebuilding the skilled labor base and re-emphasizing a good work ethic is critical to maintaining the greatness of America. I hope that your message isn’t affiliated with or compensated by a labor union. Unions can’t decide whether to be part of the problem or the solution. BTW, how does a plumber make $150k a year? While I believe that’s possible for owners of plumbing businesses, if journeyman plumbers all made $150k, the infrastructure would fall apart simply because individuals, companies, and smaller municipalities couldn’t afford to pay to have plumbing done.

SMB77 | 08/17/09 | 11:54 am
Mike, I always admired your work-ethic on Dirty Jobs. You always try to glorify the hard-worker, and show that real people do these jobs and are happy to do them. I can’t remember a show where someone was unhappy getting a hard-day’s work done.

I couldn’t agree more with your 10 minute video, and am thrilled that such a respectable figure as yourself feels so passionately about it. I’ve got three young children, and I very much hope that I will be able to instill in them the respect of a hard-day’s work.

As a younger man, I never thought much about it, working at the grocery-store as a teenager, but hard-work truly does build character, and that’s something of which this country could use more.

David McGlynn | 08/17/09 | 7:33 pm
Dear Mike,

During my years of high school and college, after my two older brothers had left home, I helped my Dad with his projects around the house and in his business of buying fixer-uppers and renting them out at reasonable rates. In the process, I learned about auto maintenance and repair, plumbing, electrical wiring, painting, roofing and lawn care. I don’t love doing any of these jobs, but I loved working with him.

When I married my husband, he worked at a bank but loved doing carpentry. After a few years, he quit working at the bank and started working in a hardware store. He enjoyed the hardware store job so much, but kept saying that he needed to quit and find a real job. I kept telling him to keep doing the job that he enjoyed. I learned wood working and techno repair from him.

Unfortunately, my husband died at the age of 41. As a young widow, it fell on me to keep the house in repair and do the yard work while holding down a full time job. I can honestly say that if it hadn’t been for the skills I learned from my father and my husband, I would have failed. Now, I haven’t done as sterling a job as they would have, but I am proud of the job that I have managed to do. I think it is as important for little girls to learn to fend for themselves in the world of trade, if only to keep them from being taken advantage of by the workers they hire to do the job.

I agree whole-heartedly with you that the “work” ethic in America has taken a beating. I thank you for glorifying the worker and reminding us that without people doing the dirty jobs, the clean jobs aren’t possible. I also appreciate the fact that all of the folks you feature on your show do the job 100%. You never show slackers! Keep up the great work!

Cathy C | 08/18/09 | 11:17 pm
We love you Mike. Please get into politics ASAP.

Ron Redlich | 08/19/09 | 4:53 pm
Mike,

Finally, a voice from someone that has the country’s ear and has been there with those of us doing the work. Its been 25 years since I began digging ditches and working with water; the days have not all been great, but time surely glosses over the bad times and allows the good times to shine through. I wouldn’t change a moment of it.

Your points are timely and necessary. It is my greatest hope that this site and your project meet with wonderful success.

Keep up all the good work you do as a voice for those in the “trenches”.

Best of luck.

David V. | 08/26/09 | 7:21 am
Mike,
Very nice talk. Truly inspiring. Ever thought of speaking to a graduating class?

We have the same situation up here in Canada.

My son is a second year carpenter and he tells me all sorts of stories about the old guys and the things that he is learning each day. I am so proud of him.

I share a love for honest work and aquired them from watching my dad keep our rented house working. I have a part time business and there is always someone calling me to fix something or make something. One lady said she’d marry a man who is handy rather than handsome!

Keep on fighting the good fight Mike!

If you ever get up to Toronto I’ll buy you a beer. By the way our beer tastes better and has a stronger alcohol content!

Later,

Mike Barber

Mike Barber | 08/27/09 | 2:02 pm
Mike,

I wanted to applaud your video. I rarely watch videos of this kind at length, but I watch every second of yours. I would also second Ron Redlich’s idea of you getting into politics. May not be what you were looking for, but you asked for ideas. You work hard. You are already leading by example, and you are articulate but in the “everyman” kind of way. With a widespread lack of enthusiasm for politicians nowadays, I believe you would have an excellent chance of getting elected. You’d definitely get my vote.

I have witnessed over the last 15 years a declining amount of enthusiasm for doing even the simplest tasks, be it mowing, painting, waxing a floor, etc. Most teens and twenty-somethings don’t know what it means to come home worn out from physical labor. There is a severe “allergy” to earning your pay anymore and a propensity to find any way to get out of it. I saw this website, and thought that’s what is needed. A good swift kick in the backside of Americans to start the workforce again.

I will pass on your link to everyone I know. See if I can’t help get some more folks behind this. Keep up the good work Mike.

Sincerely,

SPC Richard D. Havens
U.S. Army

P.S. Biting off lamb testicles? You’re a tougher man than me brother.

Richard D Havens | 08/29/09 | 9:23 pm
Mike,

I agree with your comments here so completely and believe this to be such a pervasive problem with such long reaching and negative consequences for our nation that I find myself at an odd loss for words here.

I am with you!

White Collar Guy in Utah,
-Kevin

Kevin in Utah | 08/30/09 | 8:12 pm
First of all I love the show.And kudos for being with Ford.I like what you say, I agree with you.I think America is dissillusioned to the future, we have to figure out a way to prosper,not just to get rich.I have nothing against hard work, except that in this country we’re only working for corporations.They don’t seem to care as long as they’re making money.I’m sorry to feel this way but I have no respect for any of them.Screw getting rich let’s take care of ourelves.I do realize that money is everything but there has to be a limit.
Thank you

rob keepers | 08/31/09 | 2:37 am
I love this video. Good for you, Mike. We need more people like you to “stand up” for the everyday Americans! Good jobs are still here! People take skilled tradesmen/women for granted until they need one (e.g., backed up showers, furance doesn’t turn on….)

MarinaReyna73 | 08/31/09 | 7:56 pm
Hi MIke, WOW What a cool website. I was reading the national eagle scout news letter for fall 2009 that featured you. As an eagle myself, I give you high praise on you tv show and all the thigs you say in that letter to Kelby. I got my eagle in 1974 and have a bronze palm, (not many got them back then). My oldest son is a 4 palm eagle with 3 additional merit badges, and my yougest son is a 8 palm eagle with 3 additional merit badges, and he also has a rare form of muscular distrophy…he is a very determined young man and did not take the american disability road to eagle!!!! He did it the hard way like we did..Just plain hard work and guts to be different… Well after watching your ten minute video on you website, here is my idea for getting help with restoring the trades. Maybe just maybe there are enough of us EAGLES, that could help,if you could launch another article in the next issue of the eagle news letter asking for us to all bond in some way. My son Justin, is currently in college, to be an accountant, and works for a company with a federal grant and high security clearance, doing back ground checks for passports..Well thats all for now Brother Eagle. Oh Ya take a shower man!!!!!!Ha Ha

Jerry Fisher | 09/04/09 | 6:40 am
Mike, inspiring speech, but in all honesty, it won’t work. Why? Because you are one person. You’ll be needing a lot of white collar folks to get the word out, to trade schools, colleges and so on. I’m assuming this is a 501(c)(3) and by hiring people to do your dirty jobs™, you can make this site and your project successful.

Tim From LA | 09/05/09 | 3:55 pm
Watched you on fox, and your web site video. I completely agree with you.
I was three years in the marine corps, 9 years as a construction laborer, 30 years as a union ironworker. In my era I found it extremely hard to get to be in the unions. If you were not a son or a daughter of one of the union members you had no chance of getting in or a job. I got lucky when we had a nuclear power being built in our jurisdiction and the government made these unions hold open apprenticeships programs. Even then only the sons got in the program. This particular time after they took in 8 apprentices there wasn’t enough sons and daughter interest my test scores just happen to on the list to forfill there quota but not after 6 others turned the opportunity down. Even after you get in these unions it takes years to get established as one of the regulars that get the work. you have to put up with layoffs, others people working more often, from an unfair work list that seem to put whoever they want to the available jobs before you even get a smell of a jobs. Its not easy task.
Once I was established and seen how the next generation of workers coming up, I dont know how anything get done or the poor contactor could make any money with these new work ethics and frevilous law suits.
Keep up the good work please!

Walter Wozniak | 09/07/09 | 6:04 am
Mike,
Great site. It is informative, even inspirational. I believe you be sincere in your efforts [gestures aside] and wish you much success in your endeavor. I truly feel that the crafts and trades are essential to our country’s future.

I am a 20 year veteran of the Air Force and currently work as a Consumer Protection Specialist [Inspector] for the Florida State Department of Agriculture.

I throughly enjoy Dirty Jobs [about to tune in on the marathon] and your narration on Deadliest Catch. Not to be slighted, I and my quarter million mile F-150 like the Ford commercials.

Take care and continued success.

Rick Studer
New Smyrna Beach, FL

Rick Studer | 09/07/09 | 6:19 am
Hey Mike: I saw the Fox news spot with you this morning and had to check out your web page. I really enjoy your show and watch it as often as I can.

I just watched your 10 minute video and I have to agree with you, there is nothing wrong with good clean dirty jobs. I and my wife have always told our children that any job from the garbage collector to the CEO in a large corporation is important and should be done to the best of your ability.

David Check | 09/07/09 | 6:26 am
Mike Rowe for Secretary of Labor!

Tom Gordy | 09/07/09 | 7:58 am
FANTASTIC! LOVE your heart and enthusiasm for teaching the public about other career options that are available. I suggest you look into partnering with CTE (Career and Technical Education) educators, as this is what we do every day! While CTE, previously known as vocational education, has been the red-headed step child of public education, we have continued to strive to teach non-college bound students that there is no shame in hard work, and personal reward to be found in doing what you love……..not always found for some in following the mandate of a 4 year college degree. As you have said, that’s a wonderful way to go, yet it’s not for everyone, AND it does not mean that a student is stupid – Thank you for unapologetically demonstrating the grit, courage, intellect, and interesting jobs that form the backbone of America. Please come see us at Anderson County Career & Technical Center in Clinton, Tennessee. There are likely many other CTE programs that have more funding available than we do, but you’ll not see any more “heart” and passion in teachers than we have!

Pam Wilson

Pam Wilson | 09/07/09 | 8:45 am
Mike: My daughter and I are big fans of your show, Dirty Jobs. Your shows have given me new found respect for the people that do those jobs every day.

I agree with your message, and I agree with the importance of increasing the number of people going into different trades so we can become more self sufficient.

I think one way of bringing your message through is to work with the schools and working with kids (I know this is long term). Maybe offer for your watchers to do some of the dirty jobs with you. Who knows, this may be life changing experiences for some people to where they want to change their careers and go into one of the trades we need to build up. Just an idea.

D. Webster

D. Webster | 09/07/09 | 9:23 am
Mike, I just want to thank you for what you are doing in the name of “work.” My father is a prime example of what you are trying to convey. He left school after the tenth grade to start working construction. He built a company up over the years, only stopping to serve in the military. He also managed to work as a truck driver and a forest ranger, always coming back to his love of construction. He is now 74 and still climbing on roofs. He and my mother (a nurse before I was born) taught me that hard work is nothing to be ashamed of–rather to be honored. There are many nameless people across the world who sacrifice each day for those of us consuming what they produce. I am proud to be the daughter of hard-working, traditional parents in SW Mississippi. They encouraged me to get an education, I graduated with a masters in 03. However, being inspired by them, I have gone into a thankless job of urban ministry. Money is NOT the only motivation to do hard work. It’s also the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile! Thanks again, Mike for standing up for hard-working!

Shannon | 09/07/09 | 9:29 am
Sir,

Your message resonates with me, and most practical Americans, I am sure. I am still deployed but when I make it back (OCT 09), my wife and I are going to pick back up working on using the resorces that God has given us to help others to move in that very direction. I understand and appreciate the value of hard work, and the joy of seeing the fruit/results of your labor. My wife and I hail from Houston Texas and we wish you well in that endeavor. My goal in this is to be counted among the “doers” and not only the “talkers” I look forward to your success in this and LORD willing ours as well. Now as I get ready to come home, I am also gearing up to fight a different enemy, apathy and mediocrity…no big deal:) Good luck to you sir and see you at the finish line.

Jim Miller | 09/07/09 | 10:51 am
Mike, All the other posters have summed up my thoughts. I learned hard work from my parents and grandparents. I went to a trade school for a year and worked with all the skilled construction trades, however a poor economy in MI in the early 80’s didn’t leave a lot of options for a young apprentice. I joined the Air Force to learn a trade and was the best move I ever made. They taught me a skill which I have parlayed into a career. I have children who don’t understand the value of hard work and the feeling of earning something you worked for. I think you have struck a nerve with a problem many don’t want to admit is there. Look forward to reading more about this and hope to see many more proud, hard working Americans get behind you.

Ron | 09/07/09 | 11:30 am
Hi Mike,
What a great idea! I’m a special education teacher but my husband has been doing dirty jobs for quite a while. Unfortunately, in this economy it’s so hard to find a job. At the present time, my husband is doing home improvement work, and I’m hard at work looking for a teaching job. My suggestion for your site is to post “how to’ information for your viewers. I know many people who would love to work as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, but don’t know how to connect with the right people or organizations. I think your would be doing a great service to get that information out there. I was taught that hard work won’t kill you, it will make you stronger. God Bless you!
Corinne

Corinne Tavolacci | 09/07/09 | 11:50 am
Mr. Rowe,
That is truly a great website and a great mission that you are on. I know where you are coming from and fell the same. My dad and I invented a revolutionary device to help cattleman called the ClicRweight.com so they can weigh cattle gravity free from a distance which will be on the market in a month, but this would not of come about if it wasnt for my background. I was raised in Tamp, Fl in the suburbs but love manual labor working with my hands and head to work to get the self gratification of seeing my work make a difference in the world. My Moms side of the family is from Alabama and I loved visiting the farm when I was growing up so my Dad bought it for me 15 years ago so I could run cattle. I am blessed to have a father that backs me and helps do what I want in life and pushes me to do better even though he is not from that background. I went to school and got a degree in animal science and livestock health and now running cattle helping feed the world.
Thank you, Joey Spicola Jr.
I would love to give something back to the community and have a school to teach kids how to be a modern day Cowboy/Rancher. If I can be of any help let me know.

Joseph Spicola | 09/07/09 | 1:46 pm
MIKE, THANK YOU !! YOUR ON TRACK AND A GOOD GUY IN MY BOOK….YOU SEE MIKE ITS LIKE THIS. I CANT AFFORD TO GO GET A JOB. I AM A SMALL TOWN ARIZONA 53 YEAR OLD MAN. I DO LAWNS, FIX A WELL, PAINT A HOUSE, PICK UP AFTER A HORSE, HANG DRYWALL, ECT ECT……YOU GET IT ODD JOB HANDYMAN STUFF…..I WORK FOR PEOPLE WHO DONT WANT TO DO WHAT I DO. SOME CANT DO THE WORK I CHARGE THEM LESS. PEOPLE SAY THERE IS NO WORK OUT THERE…..I SAY BS…..WORK IS THERE IF YOUR NOT AFRAID TO WORK AND USE YOUR HANDS. AS LONG AS I HAVE A FISHING POLE A GUN AND MY TOOLS I WILL TAKE CARE OF WHATS MINE AND HELP OTHERS ALONG THE WAY……I AM AN AMERICAN…….ITS WHAT REAL PEOPLE DO……LET ME GET A FEW BUCKS AHEAD….. ILL HELP …………… JEFF

JEFF LEWIS | 09/07/09 | 3:24 pm
Enormous damage to the image of manual labor was done by the McCain Pallin campaign when they linked their campaign to the Joe the Plumber image. Perhaps through no fault of his own, Joe came through not as a person with a responsible job, making a responsible and constructive contribution to society, but as a parady of the “common man”, the Joe six-pack, someone to be, if not ridiculed, then patronized, not respected.

Cary | 09/07/09 | 4:16 pm
Amen Brother.. You NAILED IT!!!

Randy Hamilton | 09/07/09 | 4:37 pm
Dear Mike and Associates…..

I enjoyed all 9 minutes and 44 seconds……I could watch you for a whole lot longer than that……he
You are an inspiring speaker….I shall Bookmark this site for the future……..

You’re Smart!!!!

DeAnna E. | 09/07/09 | 5:01 pm
We use to have renaissance men and women in this country. Men and women who could adapt perform farming, plumbing, electrical problems and more to a degree. If you couldn’t perform something you hooked up with a friend or someone and bartered to accomplish your goals.

I am self employed and wear many hats to accomplish what needs to get done. The persons that work for our business work as a team to accomplish the companies many goals. We are manufacturers.

We have seen a decline in persons with skills looking for work over the 22 years and more depending on who you speak to at the facility. It is getting harder and harder to find these persons with skills.

What management has done is dropped into the tougher jobs where we have wholes in the production areas, operational areas and administrative areas. No one complains because we all see it as survival.

Your show inspires those of us in the thick of things as as do shows like the teutuls have. I can only know because of the type of person you are this website will be a success and inspire many like me whom are already walking your walk proudly.

Don | 09/07/09 | 5:05 pm
Mike,
Thank you for stepping up and speaking out for our common labors and normal jobs!! God Bless & God speed with your endeavors , I will be tuning in for more!

Patrisha Lutes | 09/07/09 | 6:08 pm
Mike, I’m impressed with your comments and totally agree that we as a nation have been blessed with people with talent from around the world that made our nation a super power. I have allways had the where with all to fix or repair things around the house, automobiles, and at work based on what my father has taught me as a kid. If someone else can fix it, why can’t I? I have gained a considerable amount of knowledge with just that attitude. No college education, just the school of hard knocks and busted and brused fingers and elbows. My suggestion is to share “How To” videos for the people that want to learn. America needs to roll up her sleeves and break a little sweat putting this great nation back on track. You spoke of the lady with the rivit gun, I saw a hugh picture of this very person not to long ago and it was inspiring.
Thanks for your site and good luck with it.

Phil Mattingly | 09/07/09 | 7:00 pm
Thank you Mike. I’m so glad that you are out there standing up for hardwork, dirty jobs and good, honest income. You sir are very much a hero for America and for American values. Keep standing up for hardworking Americans. BRING BACK THE DIRTY JOBS THAT RAN OFF TO INDOCHINA!

Evan Queitsch | 09/07/09 | 9:11 pm
Thanks Mike!
You have come forth and have talked for many of us that do not have the guts to say it out loud!
Skilled labor is very important and it’s about time that it be recognized!
Keep up the good work and keep rollin with Dirty Jobs!

Maribeth | 09/07/09 | 9:24 pm
God bless you for doing this, Mike.

My first job in High School was catching leeches. Then I cleaned dishes & drove a dump truck.

30 years later, I work in a nice, clean office and go to meetings all day – but the people who build stuff, put stuff together, and fix stuff are critical to our country and our future.

Keep up the good (and real) work!

Pete G. | 09/07/09 | 9:25 pm
You are so right! I am certain that the amount of time people are on unemployment insurance would be greatly reduced if people were not so selective about the jobs they would take. I heard Sean Hannity one day on the radio telling a guy who was in a marketing and recently unemployed that he needed to just go out and get a job, whatever it may be. He said to take the week or two to find what he wanted but then after the two weeks were up he needed to get any job he could and work it while looking for the job of his dreams. You’d bet that if I became unemployed I would go back to what I did to work my way through college — I would wait tables if I had to.

There is no pride anymore in bringing home the bacon. One of my favorite movies is “Cinderella Man”. We’ve watched it repeatedly and with our kids. The moral is, you do what you need to do to put food on the table. American people need to stop being snobs and get back to work.

We do need to place more value in our hard working people. Thanks for doing what you are doing.

Alex and Michelle | 09/07/09 | 9:38 pm
Hey Mike, good job on calling out the white elephant. There are lots of folks who will want to resist the notion of “common work”, but as you stated, it was good enough for our grandparents and can still provide us with a fulfilling life. There are so many values that have been under attack over the last 30 years and the voice of reason seems to be coming out of it’s coma and uttering small war cries, so my encouragement to you is – DON’T shut up. Keep pressing on with your passion, because it will provide others with the tools they need to grasp onto healthy work ethics and ideals that can help turn our country back around. Keep up the good work. I’d like to post this on Facebook, where is the URL?

Terri | 09/07/09 | 9:56 pm
maybe your forum can provide a place for Skilled Tradesmen who are willing to apprentice the younger generation…?

Terri | 09/07/09 | 9:58 pm
Mike Rowe, Go, man go! I always knew I liked you for a reason. I’m just a working class “JOE”, and I’m happy as hell! Thanks for remembering that the working man makes this world going around.
Ray

Ray S. Fostore | 09/07/09 | 11:09 pm
Mike – Thank you so very much for this site. I have been a secretary for over 30 years. In that 30 years I have had multiple supervisors try to force me to get a degree. I have no interest in college and am at peace with my career choice. Fact is, that whenever there is a question about what to do in a certain program many of the Bachelor and Master degreed people come to me…the person they say should go to college…for help. My husband chose not to complete college for reasons only he can explain, but works as an electronics technician. He loves what he does, but has said that he sees electronics becoming a pull a chip out and replace with a new one. He is saddened by this because he loves challenge.

I am at the point now where I have two sons almost at the point of college. One who believes the only way he can get a job is by going to a 4 year college and the other who is not interested and believes he can be just as happy and successful working a “trade”. I have been explaining that we can’t afford to pay for college, and will not encourage or discourage it, but I hate that my kids, should they decide to got to college, will be left with a mortgage before they’ve even had a chance to begin their lives.

I, for one, was raised by a father who worked as a woodworker his entire career and a mother who worked in factories and waitressing to support their family. I think I turned out ok and don’t feel I missed out on anything important.

I wish more “educated” people would see that college is not for everyone and that they should praise those of us who make them look good.

Thank you again. I’ll be back daily.

Lore V. | 09/08/09 | 6:31 am
Mike,
Thank you very much for what you do and especially for this new endeavor. As training and development manager for a municapality, I see the truth in what you are saying. I will do my best to support you in this effort and spread the word to everyone I can think of.
Just another reason to love Mike Rowe …….!

Dot Bast | 09/08/09 | 8:51 am
Mike,
I love what you are doing with this site. I’m an electronics instructor at a technical college in GA and see just what you are talking about!!!!
Thankyou for doing this!!!!
Doug

Doug M | 09/08/09 | 8:59 am
This is great. I am a special ed. teacher and for the last, I would say, 15 years the school district has said “everyone is going to college”. I know I would being toaster, mixer, lamps, ect. to school because my students could fix these things. But no classes were offered in high school…because everyone is going to college. I am going to tell my students tomorrow to look at your web site. Thank you for pointing this out now the public will know what has been going on in the public school system. Thanks, Linda Haley

Linda Haley | 09/08/09 | 9:16 pm
Mike,
This is your 16th fan. What a great video and subject! You are so dead on about work being a dirty word. I have grandchildren who continually tell me that grandma and I work to hard. We are in our sixties and still do our own maintenance, gardening, canning, etc. We tell them that being able to work, whether on the job or around the house, with your hands and mind, is a Blessing, and a privilege that some people physically aren’t able to do.

And I always tell them what an old friend use to say to me…..”The harder I work, the luckier I get”. Good honest work builds a strong today and a better tomorrow.

Good luck on the website and thanks for showing us the important everyday work that is being done in this country by hard working Americans.

Gary Pardo Sr | 09/09/09 | 8:28 am
MIKE!!!! You are SOOO on the right track. Coming to you from West Michigan – Auto Alley… we need more work for the average guy. We need jobs BAD! We’re willing to work, just make it worth our while. WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP YOUR CAUSE!!??
(It is one year after your video – We’re on your team – just say the word!)

Keep it up man!

Julie | 09/09/09 | 2:26 pm
Mike,

Some of what you’re saying is true but some of these comments claim that teenagers and young adults don’t know how to work or get thier hands dirty, and I disagree. Have they had teenagers that participate in sports or are on thier school’s dance team or are in thier school’s band? Teenagers and young adults do know how to work hard. As for the number of adults going into trade school or doing jobs that involve hard labor; I believe the numbers will go up soon. Highschools are and have been involved with programs like the FFA an agricultural club where students get to raise plants and livestock and compete on a national levle. Or at some schools there is a construction program where the students get to go an work on a house as a school assignment for the whole year. Another option offered at schools is a computer class that teaches you to build circuits also there is a class where you learn the math required to be a archetecht. This will allow students to get more varriety than they used to before these relativly new courses were added to the highschool curiculum.

Shel | 09/09/09 | 5:10 pm
I have spent the last couple hours on your website. Nice job to Mike and anyone else involved with this project. This is a very informative and entertaining site. Keep up the good work.

Brian | 09/10/09 | 1:50 pm
Dear Mike,

Wow – I’ve been talking to audiences for several years, declaring the skilled workforce is graying quickly and disappearing into retirement almost as fast… Unfortunately, as I look out at the heads nodding in solemn agreement (or napping), they are wearing hard hats to cover their graying hair or balding pates. And when I finish, I take my seat as one of the audience comes forward to preach the same message… Like preachers preaching to the choir, we made our points eloquently and felt a bit better for having said our piece. However, we haven’t been getting our message to the people who need to hear it. Through your show and wider audience, you will accomplish what we haven’t.

While I do not believe the skilled trades are at risk of extinction – I do foresee simple economics looming more perilously on our horizon than climate change. Simple economics teaches: as supply diminishes for a product that has very little elasticity in demand, the price goes up.

This magnificent nation, built and maintained by skilled-labor, continues to consume its skilled labor-force faster than it is replenished. Skilled labor prices will rise – and the initial results will appear to be a boon as skilled trade earnings increase, which make these jobs more attractive to new job candidates. However, there are long term consequences. The increased labor cost will be passed on to consumers, creating more inflationary pressure. In the long-run the labor-price and market-price will establish a new, higher priced equilibrium but the result is a nation producing in world-economy at prices that are even less competitive than before. This brings us to the next rough spot – there will be a market adjustment. Like the recent California housing market adjustment, and every other downward economic adjustment, I don’t believe it will be pleasant.

Small skilled trade investments made now will pay dividends.

Ed | 09/13/09 | 12:11 pm
ROSIE the RIVETER is a Wax figure in the Smithsonian (Quite Buff too. I might have to tweet you her pic).

One problem our country faces nationally: We do not PRODUCE anything.. we literally cannot MAKE anything. Why have we not had politicians aim to rebuild this infrastructure back up? If this were to have been built back up, our econonmy would be much more stable, half of these problems we face in employment we would not have. Because we DO NOT MAKE anything we are forced to OUTSOURCE — this is going to be our achilles heel.

As a Side note. If you need Servers– or Server Support– please contact me– I would like to be able to offer a great service to you at a irresistable price.

I will be a frequent visitor here.

I am very interested in what you have to say– and in what you are doing. So having said that– LETS DO IT

David Pritt | 09/13/09 | 12:23 pm
This was an incredible ten minute video. I’m almost fresh out of college and you have helped clarify some answers I have been looking for, and created some new thoughts to be pondered. Thank you, I hope you enojoyed your beer.

Ashley | 09/13/09 | 1:04 pm
As a junior in high school, quite a good private one, the question asked of me is where, not if, I am going to college. I now say, “I’m not going to college, I’m going to apprentice as a carpenter.” The asker usually laughs, and I give them a blank stare, and ask them why they are laughing. A conversation along the lines of “war on work” comes up, with me prompting the peer if building bridges is not as good a thing as arguing in court or mending broken bones (where did that lawsuit or broken bone come from: the breaking bridge!).

I do not know if I will go to college or pursue a job in carpentry, metalworking or plumbing. Not going to college is scary, because someone in my situation goes to college 999 times out of 1000. But what is scarier is graduating with some silly degree in Humanities and some debt on student loans and wondering what work I can get with that.

Keep kicking it hard core.

Dan | 09/13/09 | 5:34 pm
Mike, I just wanted to say that I completely agree with you. I read one comment by Carol the RN, and it is that way with a lot of healthcare right now. I am a Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainer and I got my degree the hard way, through internship. I had to have at least 500 hours of work each semester for the 2 year program. That is on top of school, and being a single mom. But two years later, they switched to only the education route, where the school had to be accredited to teach the Athletic Training degree. These kids have no more than 200 hours of “observation” time along with their classes. Now let me tell you a little about Athletic Trainers, we are the first to arrive at school for sporting events, prep-before the athletes even get to the school, treat the athletes, set up for each event (no doubt more than one at any given time), watch and cover all events, take care of any injured athletes- may be from our team, may be from their team, clean up, do paperwork and medical documentation, and then walk out with the security no doubt because we are the last to leave the building. I carry 10gal ice water coolers by the dozen, lift 300lb linemen and stretch their tree-trunk like legs, and set up/take down any other equipment needed for the event. My job is dirty, dusty, strenuous, back breaking, a full on workout, and mentally straining, but I love it. People tell me, “you should work at a physical therapy clinic, they have better hours and you don’t have to do as much”. Really? Is that what I am suppose to do. Sit around drinking lattes and telling other people what to do? No! I would rather drive up to the school wearing t-shirt and shorts, do the routine “back-breaking” stuff before the athletes get to school, get all dirty and love my job. I get to be outside, hang with people who love what they are doing, still maintain my healthcare credential but work with immediate care and skill, and quite frankly I get to watch sports all day everyday and get paid for it. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t just stand there. I am constantly taking care of this person or that person, and my set up is quite heavy for one person. But, I love it. There is this satisfaction of taking my hands and my brain, and putting them together to not only help injured players or people, but help to prevent those injuries from even happening.
I know I am not a tradesman, but name, but by God, I work my butt off lifting/moving/working/sweating and helping people to understand how much they can do with their mind and their body on the right path.

Hats off to all of the tradesmen out there, I am way to clumsy to even try and step on a work-site, but I give you major kudos for what you all do. Thanks Mike for putting this website up, you are one great Dirty guy!

Sincerely, Sarah Jamie Johnson, Phoenix, AZ

SJ | 09/15/09 | 12:36 pm
You are so right, work is not the enemy. Since before the fall of man, God gave us work – work was not the curse. I hope you can help bring manufacturing back to the US.

Kit | 09/16/09 | 8:25 am
Just stumbled onto your site….and WOW, am I impressed. I completely agree with everything you said, and although I knew this was a problem, I thank you for opening my eyes to the vastness of the issue. I am so pleased you are fighting this fight, and the most impressive part is you don’t have to be! When most people reach success like you have, they lose interest in taking gutsy stands…And make doing so look sexy, too! (on a lighter note)

Jennifer | 09/16/09 | 10:51 am
I left high school and started a small grading business and I was bashed on for not going to college. It is true that Americans don’t want to work. Why do you think all of the immigrants are coming to do the work we don’t want to. If some Americans would work there would be smaller portion of jobs available to immigrants coming here for work. When I went to high school they did not teach any trade or enough of it where you could get a job when you graduated. My dad said when he went to school they actually taught trades that you could be hired for upon graduation, not these days. People look down upon you if you are not a pencil pusher, they think your a scum bag.

Josh | 09/18/09 | 9:31 am
Also where did all of the pride, respect, and dignity go.
I have pride in my work and this is something you don’t see these days. Nobody cares about anything, they just show up for the 40 hour week and give me my check. No body cares about producing but if they don’t produce how is the company they work for going to produce a check for them. Most people just see how fast things can be done and qaulity is left in the dust. Americans, thats all we care about, price, price, price and that is why all of are jobs are leaving this country everyday to go elsewhere. We choose price of qaulity, it is sad but true.

Josh | 09/18/09 | 9:38 am
Mike Rowe for president!

Drew | 09/18/09 | 10:22 am
Mike, I am glad to see someone (you) actually wanting to do something about our diminishing workforce devoted to labor, hard labor.
You asked for help and I believe your audience can and will help you in your quest.
I would like to suggest that your site give people the information on where to go, to get specific job training.
What really motivates most people is money, so talk about what some of these jobs are paying!

Keep up the great work.

Dennis in Portland, OR | 09/19/09 | 2:20 pm
you hit the nail on the head. We need to encourge involvement in the trades. As parents we can do repairs around the house and show our kids how to do them. It may lead to further involvement and interest. Encourage both education and trades. If nothing else it’s something to fall back on.

terry passno | 09/21/09 | 5:12 pm
Mike,

As most everyone has stated, you are correct on many points in your video.

The demonizing of labor related work and glorifying of corporate jobs as being the measuring stick of success is a very common theme throughout our society. I agree with you in that for the last thirty years we have seen this trend and it only picks up more and more force every year.

In my position as a part of the trade crafts, I see everyday the withering trade skill sets that people bring to job sites. The average Journeyman is their 40’s and the limited young people lining up to take their place are demanding the same or more pay for less of a skill set.

Part of my job is to bring awareness to high school students that construction and a skilled trade is an option for their future. Our country’s high schools are focused on the theme of preparing our young with getting accepted into college and not with other alternatives such as apprenticeships or vocational schools for learning a trade. While I am not calling out for a change with the focus of what our high schools do, I would like to see our schools take the approach of offering more alternatives to defining success.

Danny | 09/22/09 | 9:47 am
Hello Mike,

This video could (and should) be shown in every Jr. High and High School. It is relevant to Social Studies, agriculture, construction/trade sciences, business, psychology and sociology classes and would spark great conversations there. What is it that has made our culture devalue these indispensable jobs and, to some degree, the people who do them? I was the first in my family to go to college and now run my own little technology consulting business. I feel very fortunate. But it was my father’s ethics and hard work as an electrician that made a comfortable living for our family and gave us an appreciation for what others do that makes all our lives better.

I hope you’ll continue with this site and your stated mission here. (p.s. My daughter Kelli (11) says “keep up the good work” – she (we all) love your show.

Pamela Nielsen | 09/24/09 | 7:44 pm
Hi Mike,

Great message. My family watches your show and we really appreciate the “Dirty Jobs” that you share with your audience.

I think it would be great if you could share this video with schools (grade school – high school)across the country.

There seems to be so much focus on college careers and the message about how important the trades are get left off the testing pages.

Hopefully, this will be a successful website for you to share your message. I will definitely be sharing your message with my friends.

Thank You (and keep showing those “Dirty Jobs”).

Andrea Bollinger | 09/25/09 | 5:57 am
This is truly a great mission. I agree completely with the statements made on this video. The people in this country have so much strength; and, if we could just come together and believe that we can do something about these issues, we would be unstoppable. I only wish I had some good advise on how to make it happen. (Do we have a National Dirt Day?) Good Luck. Dirt Rocks!

Sarah | 09/26/09 | 5:49 am
Hey Mike
I think this is a great thing that you are doing.I work at The Waste Water Treatment Plant for the City of Richmond Virginia. I am an Intrumentation and Control Technician which is a fancy way of saying Electronic Technician. I learned my trade in the United States Air Force where I was an Avionics Technician on F-15 Eagle Fighter jets.
I Love this country very much and I agree with you so much. I get in arguements with several of my co workers all the time about this very subject.
We have a very hard time finding qualified people to fill our positions in my particular field.
The problem I think Mike is that four year Colleges have become too much of a business.The more kids they recruit the more money they make.They have convinced so many people that they just have to have a degree to make money.
When actually I make more than alot of my friends who have a College Degree. Several of my friends are school teachers and I make alot more than they do.
Just keep up the good work Mike. You have alot of brainwashing to overcome and I wish you all the luck in the world.
Sincerely
Barry Deaton

Barry Deaton | 09/27/09 | 12:59 pm
Mike,

I know you’re not down on college. The way I see it, you’re just pro-trade. Here’s a little of my story – hopefully I’ll save some folks some time and money.

I was fortunate enough to obtain a B.S & M.S early in life (finished at 22). After 8 years in that field it finally sunk in that although I was good at it (what “it” was isn’t important at this point), it wasn’t going to allow me to support a family. So I jumped on the tech bandwagon & got another set of B & M.S’s in software engineering. I have a job now that allows me to support a family, but I’ve been paying attention to the country and thinking maybe I should have started paying attention earlier.

You see – I’ve got 4 expensive pieces of paper I can hang on the wall that indicates at least two things but not necessarily much more:
1) I know how to jump through hoops &
2) I’m foolish enough to do it more than once

I bought into the concept that I couldn’t do well in life without the right degrees so I got a collection of them. Although it has worked out…I tend to think my next door neighbor is good evidence of what you are saying. No degrees, but a very good electrician. He loves his job & the company pays him well b/c he’s good at it.

So, as my daughter gets older, I’ll be helping her to understand that college may be A way to go, not THE ONLY way to go.

nuff said

John | 09/29/09 | 6:40 am
Dear Mike
If America cannonized saints, you would be St Mike of Infrastructure.

Funny, isn’t it that there seems to be a ‘blind eye’ towards the GREAT need of revitalization of the infrastructure. I applaud you and your effort in this. I don’t know what I can do on my end….but I want to say thank you to you for your public stand in this regard.
Here in the San Fernando Valley we have had I believe over 30 water main breaks in the last 3-4 weeks.

Glad my hubbie gets to edit your show and I get to hear what you are up to….
See you at the Christmas Party in December!

Love ya, Man
Kate

Kate O’Sullivan Erkel | 09/29/09 | 8:45 am
Way to go, Mike!! I saw you this morning (9/29/09) on Fox & Friends, and I wanted to stand up and cheer on behalf of all who choose/chose to pursue a trade rather than college. After high school, I attended a business college over the traditional institution of higher learning and was employed immediately upon graduation. I had my education loan paid off before my peers were through their freshman year of college (and already in debt). Back in the ‘70’s, I recall taking a vacation to Canada, and came home thinking that they had the right idea, for it seemed there was a much greater emphasis on trade schools. Somewhere in this great land, we’ve missed the boat. Not every child is cut out to be successful in college. In my very first job as a secretary at a women’s college, I saw first hand how many graduates remained under or unemployed a year after graduation. With degree in hand and thousands of dollars in debt from educational loans, many joined the ranks of the “knowledgeably unskilled” (and unemployed!). How much further ahead would they have been if they had entered a trade or business school that would have armed them with a skill enabling them to enter the workforce upon graduation? I’ve never regretted my decision not to pursue a college degree. In my twenty five years of continuous government service in the clerical field, plus five years active duty in Navy, never once has my lack of a college degree hindered me on the job or kept me from being happy and successful in life. I applaud you for emphasizing the importance of trade schools as an alternative to a traditional college education after high school. Your web page and public promotion of this concept is long overdue in this country, and I hope parents and high schools will wake up and begin to emphasize and promote the importance, diversity, and availability of trade schools with the same enthusiasm they use to push the concept of a college education as the only way to succeed in life.

Jean O. | 09/29/09 | 9:07 am
Hi Mike,

There are many of us who have been trying for years to bring the downplaying, and often times outright denigration, of skilled labor into the light of day. Thank you so much for using your public platform and considerable entertainment skills to further this issue, because it is critically important to our country.

Even though many people are now realizing the systematic dismantling of hands-on classes (wood, metal, automotive, etc.) in public schools over the last few decades has contributed greatly to our current shortfall in competent workers, many of those same individuals are still part of the problem.

As example: I’ve been in the electronics/telecommunications industry for over 40 years. After high school I went thru a year (over 1100 hours) of military electronics school and then three years as a Electronic Navigation Tech. Following this, sixteen years with Ma Bell as a Special Services Tech and then six as a Systems Maintenance Manager. The following eight years were as a freelance Technical Instructor teaching telecom/datacom courses world wide. My final six “working” years were as a Staff Training Specialist and Training Manager for CDMA cellular and satellite systems. My work experience and knowledge base is unique. It will never again be duplicated because the formative jobs no longer exist.

Now, here’s what I see as a glaring hypocrisy on the part of many proponents of more skills based education. Without a sheepskin (which I don’t have) it’s almost impossible to become a technical instructor in any public school system. These systems discriminate against the very individuals who can provide the instructor talent they profess to be seeking. How dumb is that?

I’ve taught thousands of electronic classes over the years with student populations ranging from high school dropouts to PhD’s. Far too often many of the PhD’s couldn’t find their fanny with a flashlight, while the dropouts could do the hands-on with ease.

Now being semi-retired, I teach kids electronic courses of my own design in the summer Community Education program at the local Community College. These are hands-on classes where the kids learn physical skills supported by academic electronic principles that, I hope, will inspire them to go into the trades.

W.E. Wood Jr

W.E. Wood Jr | 09/29/09 | 10:10 am
Hi Mike -

Thanks for setting up this site. I saw you on TED.com, and on CNBC a few minutes ago. I haven’t looked through it yet, but I hope it will be a site parents can use to somehow get their kids interested in the trades.

Jim Brown | 09/29/09 | 10:58 am
I’m in total agreement with you! Our culture is making it too easy, and actually encouraging, it’s citizens NOT to work. What ever happened to working hard to make a living? Now, all you have to do is call a lawyer and get millions right? Geez – I’m so sick of it. And don’t even get me started on unemployment benefits. Why does the government pay people to sit at home (for up to two years)?? If a worker loses a job, they NEED the incentive to get another one. Putting food on the table was an incentive that worked just fine for our ancestors. But, thanks to unemployment benefits, now you just have to fill out some paperwork, sit at home, and collect a check. It’s really no wonder our nation is going into the toilet. Thank you for trying to put our country on the right track again. I sincerely hope your efforts have success.
Angie

Angie | 09/29/09 | 11:15 am
Mike,

You are the man. You have a great way of getting your message out. The problems have been building for a long time.

Its funny I can remember my Dad telling me stories on how people dont respect the construction workers. He was one in local 139 for 40 years. He started noticing it about the same time as you note with Silicon Valley. He always told us you make as much money as you want with your high tech job, just remember who will build your house, do your plumbing, pave your roads. These jobs will always be needed.

Most people can’t change their oil in the car, what are we trying to become. It doesn’t make any sense. My Grandfather, and my father and father-in-law, each built their own home, I wish I had half of the knowledge they do, instead of pieces of paper hanging on the wall telling me I am smart.

I am rambling but you have touched on a topic that needs everyone to wake up.

It was not until I got older joined the Service and had to fend for myself, that I gained a whole new respect for my Dad and his co-workers.

I hope you can make head way in this and look forward to helping in any way possible.

Gary O

Gary O | 09/29/09 | 12:34 pm
My son works for Nipso here in Indiana. He is a pipe welder. He is trained in this job. The guys get the pipe ready and then he welds it. Jill

Jill Wrightsman | 09/29/09 | 3:40 pm
Great job, I totally agree with your message. Keep up the good work.

Scott M | 09/30/09 | 2:59 am
Hi Mike,

I am an Industrial Arts teacher in Midland, Michigan at Bullock Creek High School. Our school is one of the few schools left with a thriving program of the trades. We have Welding, Metals, Woodshop, Blueprint Reading, CAD, Introduction to Building Trade and an off-site Building Trades class. This off site trades class builds a residential home each year in our district and is then sold on market to anyone who wants it. We have been building homes here at Creek since 1972.

Would love to have you come out and check us out!

http://www.bcreek.k12.mi.us/

Below is one of the headings on our school web page.

Building Trades Programs Achieve National News

The Building Trades Programs made national and local news, highlighting their important role in preparing our Students for future careers. Read more..

Thanks for you time,

Gary C. Shaffner

Love the show!

Gary C Shaffner | 09/30/09 | 12:59 pm
Relevent and ahead of your time!! We can not do much about where we are. We can do everything about where we are going!
Seems everyone is saying and doing what they “think” everyone(bosses,teachers,leaders) wants to hear and nothing is moving forward. Your blog may be the greese to the squeeking reality of resistance to the truth. “Respect” Doing the job right! Enjoy the process gravity so naturally provides….. Life is a fun ride!!!

Carney | 09/30/09 | 3:02 pm
I absolutely agree, keep up the great work !!!!

craig | 10/01/09 | 9:45 pm
This soungs a like a lot of WORK I have been working at several trades in my life from age 10 learned building in all aspects then 3 million miles in a otr truck now in tour buses and fleet mgrs job so i’m expert enough to think you are right on with your statment ggo for it and at nearly 65 i can see the need . thats why i can’t see retirement someone ’s got to keep working “o” we enjoy you show thanks j.p. McClintock

jp mcclintock | 10/02/09 | 8:16 am
This is so right on. I am with you 100%. I am a housewife and I support all that you said and it is true that our country will fall apart if we do not get back to basics. I will share this with my circle of people. Thanks

Yvonne Herrera | 10/02/09 | 11:17 am
Mike,

There are programs called “career pathway” programs that act as internships into professions in high schools. I would recommend looking into those programs to ensure that trade schools get a fair shake and are involved in creating opportunities for kids to learn the benefit of learning a trade first hand.

Tom Hurst | 10/02/09 | 1:51 pm
Hey Mike,
Thanks for finally getting this issue out in the open. As an electrical lineman(High voltage)I have been to different parts of the country restoring power after storms, most recently Gustav and Ike in 2008. While the 16 hr days and extreme heat are rough, the work is rewarding beyond words. Feeling proud of your work after a long day is something that is slipping away from the next generation. I hope I can speak for the linemen of the USA in saying keep up the good work!! As I say to my kids, Hard work isn’t easy!!
Thanks for the site.
Dan

Dan H. | 10/02/09 | 4:11 pm
Well put! Kudos to you for what you are trying to do, and what you have been doing on dirty jobs. i’m a huge fan of yours, and hope we can rebuild america via your strong ideas (and unwaivering sencerity:). no one better to lead us then you, good luck! I’m behind you, and i’m liking the view!

sandra waldron | 10/02/09 | 8:05 pm
You friggin’ rock dude. I love your show, I love the message you’re trying so hard to put out there…. You’re just awesome. Keep it up.

Keep up the good work! looking forward to the new season!

Colleen Kilroy

Colleen Kilroy | 10/03/09 | 9:09 pm
Mike! Great networking plan! I can’t tell you how frustrated I have been as a parent dealing with guidance counselors at school! My daughter wants to be a wife and mother and manage a household. That isn’t on their list of options!!!! I am a wife and stay at home mother and I have built one house from the ground up, making mortar mud while 8-9 months pregnant in a wheelbarrow with a hoe! I then designed, drew my own blueprints and contracted out the labor to sub contractors on a 5000 sq. ft. house and we (my husband and I) did the work in between contractors. We moved to Colorado and I contracted remodeling and repair work on a 3000 sq. ft. house. I xeriscaped our yard and moved huge rocks to form retaining walls. We then moved to Virginia and I designed and contracted remodeling of our home here. And I only have 2 years of college, that didn’t help me one bit toward these endeavors. I have given birth to 4 boys and one girl. The oldest son is a West Point graduate, went to Afghanistan and was blown up by an IED, 3rd degree burns over 30% of his body and me, the one who doesn’t have a degree in medicine, lived in San Antonio, TX for 9 months as his “non-medical attendant” to nurse him back to health by literally having to do things for him as he was a baby again and spending 4 hours a night after a shower changing his wound dressings on every part of his body. I have a son in the 1st Marine Recon Battalion that is a Corpsman (medic), he doesn’t have a college education but he is trained by the Navy to save lives on the battlefield. I have a daughter who has a “processing” learning disability and she is the one who they are saying has to pick what career field she wants to pursue. Then I do have 2 younger guys 15 and 14 that are near geniuses that will go into aerospace and nuclear engineering, but that is their “bent”.

I agree with you, Mike, we need to value the people who have excelled in a trade through blood, sweat and tears. As I looked for “good, reliable, trustworthy” contractors to work on my home, I express my appreciation to the ones that were “good, reliable, trustworthy” . And I pass the word along to all I come in contact with who may be looking to find good productive people.

I believe you should contact high school guidance counselors to get the word out that there is a future and value and income in pursuing the trades.

Thank you for being a voice for those of us who may not have a “degree” but don’t mind learning and getting our hands dirty!

Oh by the way, did I say that I feel fulfillment and blessed that I have contributed to society as a wife and stay at home mother by supporting my husband and his career for 28 years and rearing 5 outstanding members of this nation?

Tanya Brown | 10/05/09 | 11:13 am
Mike,

I just had a brief conversation with you last night at the airport and you “THANKED ME” for appreciating all of your hard work. Well, back at you! After watching your video,once again I am impressed with your ideals and opinions. Having chosen a career in construction over law enforcement, I have rarely had regrets. I can not begin to express my feelings when completing a “job” and looking at the finished product and feeling that great sense of accomplishment. It was a great pleasure to meet you Mike and I look forward to visiting your site and your new season of Dirty Jobs. Keep up the insightful and entertaining work!
Roy

Roy West | 10/05/09 | 3:26 pm
You hit the nail right on the head. Somehow it was decided that everyone should go to college to be successful.
I worked at a major University for 42 years as a plumber for 16 years and later as a Supervisor for the HVAC Shop and the Electronic Control Center Shop. During this period we often were called upon to redesign plumbing or HVAC systems that engineers designed and installed because they couldn’t make them work as built. We were getting paid very little compared to them, but we had to make the systems work for them. We were always looked down upon by the engineers and architects.
Having a college diploma is suppose to automatically make you a leader and boss over people who have done the job all their lives. I think that college education is great but not necessary to life and it certainly doesn’t automatically make you a good supervisor or leader.
I think I have taken up enough of your time. If I can be of any help let me know, I am retired now and have lots of time, until I get another job anyway.
Thanks
Joe Zerby

Joe Zerby | 10/05/09 | 10:01 pm
Hey Mike,
Great job on delivering VERY important thoughts and words. I’m afraid that over here in the Netherlands the issues you talk about are, like many things, shared between the Netherlands and America. It seems as if doing a hard day’s work frightens many of the younger people…it just isn’t “classy” enough in their worldview. Or maybe it is that they see no joy (or cannot see the joy)in doing a job well done. Unfortunately in our “modern” world, the self-satisfaction of doing good work for the work’s sake must carry the day. (There are no award shows for laying a good brick or digging a good ditch.) I’ve been living here now 10 years and in that short time even I have seen the decline of a societal “work ethic”. Anyway, keep up the good work…you make us proud. (P.S. My mother was a “Rosey-the-Riveter” for Lockheed and she was proud of the scares she earned.)

W H Rockey | 10/06/09 | 1:44 am
Mike,

Buddy, I know exactly what you’re talking about, and I’m behind your campaign 100%!!! I graduated from High School almost a decade ago now, and have done mostly manual labor jobs since. And ALL I’ve heard since I graduated was “what are you doing hanging drywall, or roofing, or carrying doors, or truck driving? You should be using your brain at college, and really DOING something with your life?!” I have never felt like any of the manual labor jobs I’ve done were by any means “beneath me”. I’ve always felt like I WAS doing something with my life. And sure, I’ve had one or two desk jobs in there as well, but I’ve never been afraid to get my hands dirty. THANK you for starting this campaign, and bringing certain…misconceptions about the working man to light.

Keep up the dirty work!

–Steven

Steven | 10/06/09 | 12:15 pm
Mike
I am a teacher of Agriculture Mechanics at a four year public high school in Fallon, Nevada. Your message on the video touched a chord with me, as a lot of my students are the ones who will be seeking those jobs you speak of. I have already had a number of my students go on to a tech school and get trained in welding, electrical, automotive, and diesel technologies. This is a great and very necessary cause in which you are involved. Literally, the people who “know how to do stuff” are getting older and dying off. As a “vocational” (they now call it “career tech” teacher in a public school, I have seen numerous vocational programs in schools in our state and others go by the wayside as budget cuts are made. Instead of getting a new auto/woods/building trades/welding teacher when the old one gets old and retires, the school districts are just shutting down the program as they can save a lot of money by doing so. In some cases, the vocational teachers find it is a lot less hassle to just go out in the industry themselves. They can make a good living (lots of demand) and they don’t have to put up with a shitty administrator that is on their neck about lesson plans, key vocabulary, and all that touchy-feely crap that we have to put up with to teach our little darlings to have a bloated warm and fuzzy self-image.
I think your campaign needs to start in the public schools. In our Agriculture Program we have a “Farm Festival” where the kids from the gradeschools come and see 25-30 booths set up by kids in our ag programs that show them everything agricultural from irrigaton to baby chicks and draft horses.In this way, the little darlings can learn where their food actually comes from.
I think that your campaign also needs to start in the grade schools showing the kiddies that there is honor and satisfaction that comes from building and fixing things. It might encourage them to enroll in the classes that will point them to a career in “the trades.”
I’m really looking forward to hearing you in the Opening Session of National FFA Convention end of the month. We are going to have 12 of our best and brightest there; multiply that by the number of other chapters in the country who are bring that many or more, and very soon you have over 50,000 excited little skulls full of mush to “preach the gospel” to.
You’re doing a great work! Keep it up!
See you in Indianapolis!
Mr Cortney Dahl
Ag Mechanics Educator
Churchill County High School
Fallon, Nevada ps. We watched with great enjoyment your episode on Dick Combs and his hog operation in Las Vegas. I about split a gut laughing. We know Mr Combs personally, and it was a classic!

Mr. Cortney Dahl | 10/06/09 | 1:10 pm
I AM ABSOLUTLEY BEYOND AMAZED!!!!!!!! I AM ABOUT AS TYPE A AS TYPE A GOES BUT YOU HAVE …..WOW…..GOD BLESS YA. I see your mission as bringing back the blue collar work ethic of WWI and II which we call know is gone…people are lazy today…everything is everybody else’s job.

Wow….great job and now each of us need internalize and externalize this and make it happen!!!

Good on ya Mike….Git er Done!!!

Dave Dibble
Painesville, OH

Dave Dibble | 10/06/09 | 3:45 pm
I like what you said I have said the same thing for years, it is nice to have some one in the public eye see the problem. We do need shop in schools are trade in place of part of Hi school. As a contractor I meet people that could not fix anything, because they had no idea how thing work. I build custom furniture now and I see the same thing, people need to know the basics if for no other risen to keep from being ripped off.
Thank you for setting up this web siteand I hope it helps

Greg Thanos | 10/07/09 | 12:21 pm
We agree with you 100%. As small business owners we need workers and thus have always valued and praised the contribution that the “average joe” makes to our society. As we have always taught our children you have to have soldiers as well as Generals, a organization cannot only have bosses. Therefore never put anyone down, or treat anyone poorly for ever doing any honest job, instead respect them. But to have the change and effect you want and we need, is to have all of us live this message and not be afraid to chastise a friend or anyone who does speak poorly about or put down in some way a “worker”. We have lost friends over the years because we would not look the other way when they did something wrong, unethical or were spreading false beliefs. Making a false insurance claim for instance, we turned them in and had warned them we would. As an analogy we used to have a scarlet letter in our society, now we focus that “shame” onto to honorable jobs and honorable values and cast no “shame” onto unethical and anti-society activities. It is ok to get a divorce, it is ok to collect welfare as a career, it is ok to cheat the system, ok to have kids out of marriage, etc… If we all live our lives the way we know we ought too then we will right this ship.

Jeff & Vicky | 10/08/09 | 6:33 am
Yo! Mike,
I am glad that you are doing this and you have my support.
I have always told my kids that they need to do what makes them happy. Not everyone can be the rock star or the baseball superstar. (Let’s not get started on the whole “everyone gets a trophy” mentality!)
Shop and arts classes are what makes our education system great and unique. (If it wasn’t for my drama teacher I would not have made it out of high school.)
I am sad to see that in trying to become like other nations we have lost, or overlooked, those areas which could make the difference in a child/young adult’s life.
Become a mentor and change a life!
Your #16 fan,
Trice

Trice | 10/08/09 | 8:58 am
Mike, you are my hero! I think you are SOOOOOO funny! I love your show. And I love watching other shows and hearing your voice in the background!

As for your topic here. I went to a Vocational/Trade school for High School. I learned my trade (for me it was Business Processing). After that I went on to college. There is no reason you can not do both. Why are we all in a rush to force our kids into college? How do you know what you want to be unless you have a taste of that life? Vocational Schools offer students a chance to try jobs in the real world, in a training environment. We then have the choice to go right to work or go to college and learn more about that discipline.

My son is now 12 and plans to attend the same Vocational School I attended. I couldn’t be happier about that choice, but the school is not what it once was. Times change, shops change, buildings age etc. I know he will get a good education but the amount of choices to choose from now is significantly smaller than when I was a student. I think it’s an important step to finding out who he wants to be.

You can make money in any profession as long as you are willing to put in the effort it takes to do your job well and get ahead!

Way to go Mike, I’m behind you 100% on this!

Candice Morrison | 10/08/09 | 9:16 am
Hey Mike,
Love your show, have from the beginning. The only primetime TV I take the time to watch. Yes, I work hard rarely in front of the TV or online actually. Only found the time to check out this site while taking care of my 16 year old son as he recovers from an auto accident a few days ago. Had surgery to put plates and screws in his forearm so I need to be available to help him and keep him comfortable. He is actually the reason your mission has hit a nerve for me. My son is at the age when he is trying to figure out what to do with his life. He is extremely intelligent, but really talented when it comes to working with his hands. He likes to do things the hard way. The more challenge the better. A fly fisherman, master at tying his own intricate flies. A hunter, not with a gun, but a primitive longbow, making his own arrows and learning to make arrowheads from flint, just to name a few of his endeavors. Sitting at a desk is not his calling. I have encouraged him, pretty much insisted that he go to college, thinking as most parents do, that is the only way to get ahead. I want him to be fulfilled in life and not have financial worries. I never really gave much thought to encouraging him to seek training in a trade. I guess society has the idea that working with your hands rather than in front of a screen has some sort of stigma attached to it. Sad. I come from a family with a very strong work ethic. My dad is 77 and still works hard at his own business in the pressure washing industry. He takes pride in his work and has always taught me to do the same. There doesn’t seem to be much of that mentality left. Replaced by terms like “good enough”, and do just enough to get by, or not get fired, and stick it to the other guy. I really want to pass on a good work ethic to him, it is tough to do alone though. I have a rather non-traditional occupation. I raise fennec foxes. Small foxes native to Africa. I raise them for pets. A lot of work. Offspring must be hand-reared from a few days old, allowing little sleep. The adults obviously have to have special care. I am also a pencil portrait artist. My completed portraits often require in excess of 30 hours each. A fulfilling, yet time-consuming endeavor. I try to impress upon my son that hard work pays off, yet there are so many contradicting messages out there. There should be some way to get kids involved in projects that show them hard work is worthwhile. He did get a bit of a lesson this year, when after 5 years of daily practicing shooting targets with his bow and studying the movements of local deer he finally got one with his bow. I am no hunter, but was proud of his perseverance, and the kind of person he is turning out to be. Enough rantings of a proud mother. Basically wanted to say “hats off” to your effort, will be following closely as time allows.

Fonda | 10/08/09 | 6:26 pm
You got things DEAD RIGHT. I work as a dietary aide in a nursing home and understand what your saying. I don’t like the job because of the coworkers, not the job. You wanna know what, you should contact Barak Obama. The overhaul he is asking for as far as jobs and working is just the kind of thing you are working towards.

It was once said by the master himself , Shakespeare “All the world is a stage, and the people in it merely actors. And one man in his lifetime may play many parts”. Well if it wasn’t for those nameless extras who do the roles the the ’stars’ won’t then the stars themselves would only be babling idiots in an empty theater.

sincerely, Aaron

Aaron D | 10/10/09 | 9:22 pm
Mike,
Thank you so much. You are right. If you look at the advise that is given to our children today, is the more “college education” you get the easier your “work” life will be and the more money you will make. I being a woman work in a mans field, and even tho I don’t get too “dirty”, I work with dirt all day. I think you are awesome as do my boys. They even like the stuff you do that occasionally makes me gag, but that is cool too. Keep up the good work, and hopefully we can get the word out there that work is not a four letter word. Thank you Mike, you are gorgeous inside and out.
Tara Cannistraci

Tara Cannistraci | 10/11/09 | 9:41 am
Genius!!!!!!!

shaun | 10/11/09 | 2:45 pm
LETS GO FOR IT! OUR GOVERNMENT HAS REALLY DECLARED WAR ON THE PRODUCTIVE PEOPLE, THE PRODUCERS. I HOPE YOU HAVE THE BACK BONE TO STAND, I KNOW YOU HAVE THE STOMACH TO ENDURE WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO UNCOVER, I’M A SCHOOL BUS , TRUCK, AUTO, HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC,THE THINGS THAT MAKE ME DIRTY CAN BE WASHED OFF,THE THINGS OUR LEADERS ARE DOING TO US CAN’T WASH CLEAN. THANKS MIKE YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!!!

IOE NONNEMAKER | 10/11/09 | 5:40 pm
I think you are on to somthing.I think it is a good start. THE shoe makers are gone/sewing is out/growing food is to hard .we go buy it. with the cost of things going up and work hard to come buy.More people are going to need to sew again cut wood again and do the job.s that you have been showing us.that are out there. and not in an office.Hard work still pays the bills.. i did sew slipcovers .but its cheaper to buy a /sofa today than a have a cover made.But we lost the way. to sewing..trade lost….
Simone ROWE Jones

Simone jones | 10/11/09 | 8:04 pm
im a huge fan, your show is and has been a favorite of mine since its very beginning, the show itself have a major message which lacks in other hit shows on television, its given life back to the idea that all stories should have a message and a moral, and every day that you and your crew are out there working and filming and creating new episodes you are also creating and reinforcing a constant repeating lesson and moral, and that’s that in order to save this earth, this unfortunately ignorant society of slobs, we need to work hard and make things happen, we need to care like those people doing all they can to save the dwindling species on this earth , those replanting the trees those cleaning up after the rest of us , those fixing what we’ve broken, those trying to recycle what weve made and thrown away so we can reduce the crap that piles up…You sir have become a personal American icon of hard work by showcasing that there are still those in this country that believe in it, by rolling up your sleeves and getting your own hands dirty in order to show that its alright to get some grime under your nails, to dirty your clothes and to get some stink on you , youve done great justice to those hard working people that work their asses off day in and day out

kudos ! i have much respect for you and your crew and the hard working americans you spend time with

tim mcgaughy | 10/12/09 | 12:20 am
dear Mike man im impressed with the website at first i thought your show was just another show like repo man or dog the bounty hunter ya know something to entertain with a different twist on it now that ive watched this video i have had my eyes opened to what your really about i am a 33 year old average AMERICAN guy who never really cared about school didnt care what anyone else thought i have gotten myself into a pretty deep hole and have really no trade skills other than a two year experienced forklift operator i enjoyed that job but it gets me nowhere these days i live in wichita ks. the worst place in the world as far as im concerened to get a job im sick of seeing people from out of our country come in take our jobs and take the money home that is also another problem i will work for whatever the job pays fairly but its hard when you cant understand the language because most of the construction workers are mexican’s with no experience its just another stumbling block i would love to work a hard working job make 50,000 or better a year but i dont know what to do or where to turn any ideas?

jason hatcher | 10/12/09 | 12:45 pm
Hi Mike,

I just watched your video and I watch Dirty Jobs. I work at a local business newspaper as a receptionist. I really like your thinking about setting up this website. Very interesting! I think I will pursue a trade in my late age. It couldn’t hurt. Keep up the good work.

Bonny | 10/12/09 | 3:13 pm
I was telling my son, who works with computers, that when I was graduating from high school, I knew I could work in constuction and at eighteen I joined the roofers union local 220. After six months of working as a apprentice roofer, I got burned over forty percent of my body, third degree, and after a year and half, I went back to roofing and supported a family. I’m retired now because of injuries, but while I was young I cept up with most men in the trade.I told my son how it was and that the now generation looks down on the constuction trades, believing society owes them a living, and so we have people from forign lands doing the construction work, and also, teach our children to not be afraid to roll up their sleeves and sweat because society does not owe them something. They must earn their way in life, even if it’s working a construction job. Good luck.

william | 10/12/09 | 4:19 pm
Mike I loved the site and your message. I was reading the sunday paper and saw your site. I want to admit “a hard days work never killed anyone” is what my dad and others have told me. At the age of 13 I was mowing 25 lawns and taking care of my own needs. I did this til I was a junior in high school while also working a regular job and school. By the time I got into highschool our school had eliminated most of the trade classes. So I took it upon myself to start learning from my dad and took in every bit. I am now 27 and a Union Laborer, I work hard every day, come home dirty and tired but knowing that I’m working for what I have and I’m proud of it. Learning on the job from older and even younger guys is the best part, but the best part is knowing that working hard does pay off once in awhile as in this day an age it doesn’t seem like working hard gets you anywhere. Thank You for speaking up for ALL of us who puts in a days work by getting dirty, playing with electricity, welding, fishing doing what ever THANK YOU!

Nick | 10/12/09 | 5:32 pm
Hello Mike:
Ideas for the show: Also reviewed your mission video, spot on.
Milwaukee the machine tool capitol of the world, at one time in the past. Still some remnants of the machine tool industry in Wisconsin if you look closely. The cleanup and
maintenance crews in these factories could influence your positive image about their duties(not to mention the stories to be told).
Paper Mills of Wisconsin, hold your breath though within 30 miles down wind.
Lumberjacks and the balding of a mountain.
Meat packing plants of Wisconsin, Once again hold your breath 30 miles down wind.
Excrements of the world by man, animal and how they are controlled.( great hippo show by the way)
Burping, belching and just smelly productions of the earth and those who document it.
And how about mountain Sherpa’s. I bet taking care of the nut cases that try to mountain climb mountains can really be a dirty job.

But below has to be realized before any fixing can be done.
No God , No Peace. Know God, Know Peace.
love people and use things
not love things and use people

1). No respect for life , no future life. No future life, no one to worry about any way.
2). 4,000 U.S. citizens in the womb are murdered every day. When we all wrap our minds around that number we will get a handle on the following.
3). If you don’t make a living wage (not just a minimum wage) it is a bad thing. Just ask the 3rd or 4th world worker who gets a whopping 6 cents per hour if lucky.
4). Yes work is not a bad thing but work that kills you before your time ( cancer etc) is a bad thing.
5). The family farm is gone. Did anyone even notice. Yeah let’s import all the food too. Then all are enemies can dominate without any other weapon than chemical death through the food supply.
6). By the way if we are a Judeo Christian based society why do we have so many enemies?
Why does the average American have little respect for work as something good.
For the answer go back to number 1 and 2.

Bob Matthew | 10/12/09 | 9:00 pm
A month or so ago you were taping a show in Tukwila Washington next door to my girlfriends work. Can’t wait for it to air. I think the business next to hers was a glass making warehouse.
Cant wait to see it.
Krista

Krista | 10/13/09 | 1:36 am
I spent a few years in Australia living and earning an MBA degree. I was suprised to see garbage men, mailmen, mechanics, cooks (etc) that were mainly younger, australian men and women. Most of the aussies go to trade school after high school and, of course, many go to college. The interesting thing is that there is no shame for them in these labor jobs that we, as american’s, see as dead end jobs. Yes, many of these types of US jobs are filled by immigrants. Yes, there is a good argument to say that the potential for earnings with these jobs have been marginallized by immigrants willing and or having to take less pay. An intertesting agruement. Mike, I am a V.P., sit at a desk etc. I appreciate the message your sending and agree.

Bill Anderson | 10/13/09 | 11:58 am
Mike,

I applaud you and the effort you are making. I agree that our culture has turned in a direction that does not bode well for our futures. As the Baby Boomer generation retires, we are being left with greater holes in our workforce. As you mentioned, the “brain” work roles are what are celebrated in our society, and a hard day’s work doesn’t mean what it used to. I work at a manufacturing facility, in the office, and we’re seeing that skilled labor is becoming an issue. Sadly, so are engineers, and other specific skills, mostly because the X-Generation is so much smaller than the Baby Boomers. The Millennium Generation was brought up in the digital world, where getting their hands dirty was seen as a form of punishment. It does seem as if “dirty jobs” are those of a lower class, and I love your point that a plumber can make $150,000 a year and probably have a more fulfilling life than those of us stuck behind a desk each day. I don’t know that I have an answer or suggestion that will work, but perhaps legislation or financial incentives to trade schools would help. You are so very right that we do need to do something NOW to prevent catastrophe in the future. I wish you the best of luck and am very inspired by your actions!

Julia

Julia | 10/13/09 | 4:46 pm
Good on ya!

You don’t hear solid, old-fashioned common sense anymore…(and it’s very telling that being sensible is not in fashion these days).

BTW, you didn’t alienate me, you made me wish I weren’t an accountant. Wouldn’t shoveling actual cow poop be more fun than just putting up with the kind in my office?

I wish you great success.

Nan from Houston | 10/13/09 | 7:29 pm
I have been spouting this very thing for years and people think I’m a loon. I have a High School Diploma and own a Home Cleaning Service and people keep asking me when I am going to get a REAL job and a “real education”. I have a 166 IQ and a “Dirty Job” that I LOVE. I’m glad someone else is taking up this cause. Thanks Mike

Shan | 10/13/09 | 8:19 pm
Hi,
First off, let me say that I am a huge fan of your show. I have been for a long time now. I agree whole heartedly that trade skills have been lost in this country. I am a PHP programmer by day and a pig farmer by night. I am amazed at how basic knowledge of the food cycle eludes people. I have met people that don’t know that pork comes from a pig. These are the same people who think credit card=food. I guess that when you go from being a manufacturing country to an outsourcing country, a lot of knowledge gets lost along the way.

The Twice Blessed Man | 10/14/09 | 10:08 am
Mike,
I’m a huge fan of yours, having watched both Dirty Jobs and The deadlist Catch. I am a 26 year male who has spent the last 8 years working in in the restaurant industry. Your message is close to my heart. I am very happy with the career that I’ve chosen for myself.
I wish to applaude you for bring this message to the people cause I do believe that people need to hear this!
Keep up the good work Mike, Am rooting for you.

John | 10/14/09 | 9:36 pm
Mike, Loved the video and totally agree. I would love to see the “American Idols” in our country appear on Dirty Jobs with you. What could be more humbling than being your “assistant”!?

Cathy O | 10/15/09 | 12:27 pm
Dear Mike,

I want to say something profound but I can’t collect my thoughts from excitement. You describe the so-called Perfect Storm that many in the construction industry are trying to brace for. We are working on this problem in the state of Michigan. The problem is not only in construction of course. You have my support, in any way I can.

Tariq Sami Abdelhamid | 10/15/09 | 2:14 pm
I just watched your video, You are right on the money!
I’m a 57 year old electrician, too old to get in the unions,working in New York City and only making $120 a day!
That’s the problem, the general contractor charges $*-10-20 thousand to wire a house and only pays $1,000 to have his men do the work!I’m sure it is the same in all trades! so kids are told don’t follow Dad, go to collage!I have several collage degrees, but have a passion for what I do! I love it!

Chuck | 10/15/09 | 3:02 pm
Hey Mike~

I just heard you on Adam Carola’s podcst this morning when I was driving in to work, and couldn’t wait to get home and check out your site. Is is so much more than I imagined. I feel like you are finally giving a voice to all of the hard working men and women out there that never get the gratitude they deserve. Keep up the good work, I’ll be spreading the word for your site.

Thanks so much for all of your shows, and all the information you’ve put into this site.

Jon | 10/15/09 | 4:55 pm
I would LOVE to be able to sit down with you for 5 minutes!!!! I have shared many of the same thoughts that have fallen on deaf ears.
One quote I seem to use often is, “where am I going/ and why am I in this hand basket?”
Good luck with the new endeavor, You have my support!!

Mike | 10/15/09 | 6:48 pm
Great Job Mike, so true.

matt russell | 10/16/09 | 2:00 pm
You aren’t alone. The same change is happening in Education. We see kids who can’t make a peanut butter sandwich without burning the house down, but they can post their toenail clippings on the Internet. We need to rebuild what we teach, how we teach and when we teach.

Keep up the great work! You are not alone!

Mark Moore
Technology Coordinator
West Virginia Department of Education
(and proud parent)

mramoore | 10/19/09 | 9:42 am
Mike, YOU ARE THE MAN! That just about says it all.

Brian | 10/19/09 | 10:12 am
Mike,
Your discussion about the value of labor is timely and sorely needed. Much of our mainstream culture denigrates the value of traditional trades, while glamorizing white collar work. Accordingly, we direct the majority of our young people towards traditional colleges, while the majority of the jobs needed in the economy require technical training.
I can speak with experience about this phenomenon, as I worked for years in my childhood as a dairy farmer, but now, due in part to a childhood injury, work as an attorney and college professor. While I enjoy my professional work, I suspect I am one of many in my generation who left more traditional professions in favor of white collar employment. My students are often quite surprised to learn that people in the trades can earn a great deal of money – a fact that should have been made clear to them before they reached me. Unlike most associate attorneys, the landscaper of similar age often owns his truck, tools, client list, house, etc., versus the bank. Unfortunately, students are often more open minded on this subject than their professors in academia, who often aggravate the problem because they are generally poorly informed about areas of work outside of the white collar professions.
Anyway, I hope your effort generates some results and, perhaps, our thinking can gradually progress in this area. You may be interested to know that some highly industrialized countries do a much better job at valuing the traditional trades than we do. Germany, in particular, has a strong and positive culture surrounding the trades; anyone who achieves the status of master is generally well regarded.
Good luck.

Adam | 10/19/09 | 10:29 am
Great idea – great site!

Two stories to illustrate your points.

My father did cabinet-making as a hobby to relax from his regular job. Despite the many hours of meticulous craftsmanship, he never took money for any of his pieces. Once I was watching him finish a beautiful, ornate curio cabinet and when I saw him carefully staining the backs and bottoms of the drawers I asked him “Why? No one will ever see those parts – no one will ever know that they are stained as nicely as the fronts.”

His answers was simple: ” *I* will know.”

Second quick story: Before going into computer security, I spent many years as a Class A Tool & Die Maker, primarily in the aerospace industry. My current colleagues find it a charming eccentricity that I used to be “blue collar” but I think they don’t realize how fascinating my job was. I got to work on amazing machines for amazing customers all over the world. I built the latest medical imaging machines, jet engines of every size, race motors for NASCAR, wire-guided anti-tank missiles and even parts for the Enterprise – the first flying Space Shuttle. (I left the trade only because it sadly is being automated out of existence to eliminate the need for lots of highly-paid, highly-skilled people.)

So maybe THAT aspect should be part of what you do on this site – show how really interesting and un-routine these jobs can be.

Keep up the good work!

Paul Dittrich | 10/19/09 | 10:55 am
Mike,
My wife and I are big fans of your show. I appreciate you setting up this website and highlighting the work ethic issue.

As you and many of the commenters have noted, we need to do more to introduce younger people into the trades. I would maintain, though, that it is somewhat dependent upon the area of the country in which you reside. For example, here in South Florida, there are many, many young ones enrolled in all sorts of trade schools. In fact, some of them have waiting lists.

However, there are not too many JOBS here in South Florida for tradespeople, as the area is completely built out–no new construction to speak of! This means that renovation and repair will be the target of job seekers. But, those companies still in business are laying off people. We are in dire need of infrastructure repair and construction, but with declining tax revenues, few contracts have been awarded.

So, what are the future prospects for these graduating tradespeople? Probably to uproot themselves and their families and move to areas of the country where trades are needed. But, there’s the little problem of many people being upside down in their houses and therefore unable to move.

The problem is more complex than it seems at first glance. With unemployment in double digits and likely to remain there for years (at least here in South Florida), real estate market collapse and little money available for starting up a business, this is the reality that we face in our area of the country. Factor these things in the discussion…perhaps we can work together to figure out a solution!

Sincerely,

Walter C. Marble

Walter C. Marble | 10/19/09 | 11:13 am
Mike,

Good talk! You’re right when you say to only ones we are hurting are ourselves. My Dad used to tell me about the summer jobs he had as a boy in rural Illinois de-tasseling corn. How many high school kids today do you think would walk fields and manually pull the tassel out of a corn stalk? Too bad because there is no shame in that work.

Thanks!

Ann | 10/19/09 | 11:22 am
Just a simple, “THANK YOU!”

Jared S | 10/19/09 | 11:25 am
Hey Mike — I’ve been pushing this idea for over 10 years now! I ABSOLUTELY believe that not everyone can/should/wants to/needs to go to college. It pisses me off that students are made to feel a sense of shame because they have no collegiate ambition! What the hell happened to blue collar labor being an honorable profession!? I sub in High School counseling offices and High School Counseling offices and Counselors are ALL about college — college prep, honors classes, College Day on campus, college enrollment drives, college funding info, and on-and-on. The guy, like my kid brother who has an IQ of like 160 was made to feel shame because his love was to work on cars! That pisses me off BIG time. I firmly believe that we have to get into the school system with a BIG presence about being a tradesman/person. In high schools today, vocational training is somehow equated with further education for stupid kids. We HAVE to change that at the school level! We have to change the attitude put out there by educators. When I was in school, it was honorable to to take shop class and home ec — now? Not so much. How do we get into the school systems to MAKE it honorable and desirable to go into trade? I want to be a part of THAT.

Judi Opager | 10/19/09 | 11:34 am
October 19, 2009

Hello Mike Rowe,

I really enjoyed your video from Labor Day 2008. You are spot on with respect to the working folks in this country. People do not value “REAL WORK” anymore. I come from a blue collar background. I inspect aircraft and have been in the aerospace world going on 27 years. My brother is a machinist and machinists are a breed that is close to extinction.

I appreciate the attention that you have conveyed very articulately. I train a lot of young people coming into the career field of NDT aka Non Destructive Testing and I often wonder, who is going to be looking at the aging aircraft both from the miltary standpoint as well as commercial aircraft. Often times in the work place. workers are demonized for trying to do the right things and get no backing from higer up (SUPERVISION) and they only care when their next promotion is coming from and screw the rest of the people mentality.

This is not only true of the federal sector in which I work, but also true in the private sector. It is the “SELF ABSORBED” LIFESTYLES that are out there and I wouldn’t say everyone is guilty of it, but often times you’ll find this is true that hard work is not valued anymore and “ONE IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE LAST THING YOU EVER DID FOR THEM”. You are correct about the bridges in this country and a declining infrastructure in this country.

I was a product of the 1960’s and the work ethic back then was a good thing and you were taught if you work hard, good things will happen. We need to get back to the basics of hard work and don’t take anything for granted. I really look at the bridge inspectors, welders, machinists, steel workers, construction people as hard working people and I never took what they do for granted.

It seems in todays environment, simple things now have begun to be complicated and getting people to do what they are supposed to is an effort in and of itself. Keep up the good work and perhaps you could campaign and put a SLOGAN TOGETHER, “HARD WORKS USA AND CONTINUE TO MAKE THE EFFORT HAPPEN 2010″ or something to that effect.

Thanks Mike Rowe and yes I watch the show all the time along with “Deadliest Catch”. Those guys are hard workers and I have even a more genuine appreciation for what they do as I am from Boston and I love clam chowder.

Mike thanks again for an outstanding and down to earth job you do in conveying what it means to work hard again.

Jeff Pasquale
Lancaster, CA

Jeff Pasquale | 10/19/09 | 11:40 am
Mike,
I have watched your show since the beginning. It is a real special program you have put together there. I watch it with my young son (5 years old) all of the time. I worked in the restaurant industry (back of the house-kitchen)for 15 years and could not agree with you more. The last statement about American Idols is so true. This generation feels it be better for others to do it (manual labor) then themselves which is a stark difference from my father’s generation. Good luck in the endeavor and you have my full support.

Bob Phalon | 10/19/09 | 12:09 pm
Dear Mr. Rowe,

Society as a whole has thumbed their noses to tradesmen thinking that they are illiterate, uneducated and the worst part, that those jobs are not needed. We (silicon valley) have glorified high dollar, white collar, high tech jobs that would not even EXIST without men (and women!) like my husband risking their lives to run power to these massive structures every day. I love that you are voicing your concern and telling america to, excuse my language, pull their heads out of their , well, you know what.

My husband has been an electrician,working hands on in the field for over 12 years. He has not worked a full 40 hour week since February of this year. This is the worst he’s ever seen. Luckily, though, he can supplement his work by doing side jobs.

We would like to see a place where everyday people can post jobs that they need done at their homes or places of business and tradesmen can reply to possibly get work. I think that would definitely be a step in the right direction…

A big THANK YOU for voicing the concerns so many of us share.

Sincerely,

Annmargaret A.

annmargaret | 10/19/09 | 1:06 pm
Mike, I’m a baker in San Francisco, and I couldn’t agree with you more!! A baker’s not really a “dirty job” but it IS an art/trade and if you need ANY help (bribing with baked goods to go to a trade school or something more creative) I do have my own business and would LOVE to help in any way! I’m behind you 100%!

Sarah | 10/19/09 | 5:35 pm
I am so excited to see you taking this issue head on! Thanks so much Mike Rowe for taking such an active role in rebuilding America!

Michael Koeppl | 10/19/09 | 7:58 pm
Wow Mike, you really are a natural speaker and obviously have a passion for what you believe in. I admire your work on Dirty Jobs and the way that you bring respect to all the blue collar jobs.

I totally agree with your mission video and love the feeling of reward that comes from the fruits of your own labor. That is definitely what our country was founded on as well as complete faith in God. I believe the two go hand in hand and both need to be brought back to America. God said that if ye shall not work, then neither shall ye eat! That pretty much says it all, doesn’t it?

Love you and love your show. Good luck on mikeroweworks.com!!!

Becky W. | 10/19/09 | 8:13 pm
Hi,
So glad I found your site. I have to share about my husband. He has been a garbage man for 25 years. He LOVES his job. In those 25 years he has thrown trash as a loader, he has driven rear loaders, roll offs and now a loader at the transfer station. He is now putting me through college (I cut hair for 25 years)as well as our daughter. This has been a great job for our family, has has always had health insurance for us and a retirement plan. He has always been very proud to be a blue collar worker and we are all very proud of him. Thanks for promoting the value of trade workers.

Laurel | 10/19/09 | 8:29 pm
Mike, thank you for brining this issue to light, it is far overdue. I don’t understand how people can act surprised that this is an issue that is hurting our country. The parents of this upcoming working generation carry much of the blame and yet still act surprised that this has happened and want to point the finger elsewhere. I hope that during this effort you push for parents to give children chores, and responsibilities starting at a young age. I am not talking about sweat-shops just chores that fit the age and physical abilities; from making their beds and picking up after themselves to helping with the yard work. I just feel that as Americans we have lost the virtue of a good days work and we are now seeing the affects of that. I know this all sounds like the groaning of a 60 year old man but I am 29, with three kids of my own. I live across the street from a High School littered with kids who drive new cars and own the latest cell phones but are unemployed. I just would like to see you try to influence parents to teach their children that if you want something in this country you have to work for it.

Since the age of 14 I have held a job and have never been jobless, from picking rocks and bucking hay to this day where I have finished college and work for an Environmental Laboratory; and I thank my parents for teaching me how to work and letting me know they had expectations of me, one of which was to know how to work.

Please Mike, help us to reinstate the old American virtue of a good days work by teaching our children how to work.

Daniel | 10/19/09 | 9:37 pm
Ride on….You are correct, we need to promote and get back to occupational Education training for our 15 million unemployed persons out there. I believe our current administration is doing what it can, but it missed the boat on promoting tax credits for employers to hire new employees (whether it is apprenticeship or industry jobs). In Kansas, we have a job creation program IMPACT (Skills Program) that allows a $5,000 tax credit for an employer who hires a new worker. The employer must train and keep the worker for 2-3 years to receive the tax credit.

I have been in the training program business with the Community Colleges and Technical Schools for 38 years and firmly believe, we that the worker is the backbone of our country.

Keep up the good work. If I can help, let me know.

Richard Russell | 10/20/09 | 6:47 am
Hey Mike, We love you and your show! Thank GOD for regular people. This country was made by regular Joes. I grew up on a cattle farm in Indiana. There’s something about shoveling poo that puts life into perspective. You know what I mean? I have been a nurse for 14 years now, yes still shoveling poo. HA HA. My job keeps me humble. Anyway my only thought was what about a benefit for Trades? Blue collar comedy, Hooters girls passing out chicken wings, Budwiser, Ford ect could use this as a chance to get the word out about their product and help out too. I’m not sure it was a good one idea but I thought you might get the ball rolling on a bigger idea. By the way I respect you now more than ever fan #17.

Katie Sevier | 10/20/09 | 7:16 am
I think you have an incredibly valid and timely message. I would like to see videos of different jobs that kids and parents could watch to see what possibilities are out there and what the day to day of various jobs include. Some information about the training required and where to find the training in ‘your’ area. Thank you for making this video and this site.

Luetta | 10/20/09 | 10:10 am
As a daughter of a plumber who started his career in the lowest level of the plumbing industry and now has his own company, I admire so much what you are doing. Thank you. People need to be aware that these jobs are necessary and not something to look down on.

P.S. Only once did I see his crack hanging out. It was awkward.

SarahSofia | 10/20/09 | 10:34 am
HEY MIKE!
I’m a 21 year old college kid — Yeah, I fell into that education mind set, and I do believe education is “where it’s at”. However, I believe there is more to education than a classroom, a professor and exams that make you want to shoot yourself in the foot. Education is found everywhere! You’re right! We need to find that work ethic that too many of us in the world have lost sight of. What ever happened to taking pride in your work no matter what that work might be!? I am blessed to be the youngest of eight kids with two ridiculously hard working parents who strive to provide us with the best possible lives we could ever dream of having. We all have our careers and have learned the value of a job well done. I watch your show as often as I can and I take pride in the fact that everyday people make amazing things happen with a little elbow grease and some hard work. Thank you for making more people aware of the amazing people out there. Thank you for making people realize that it’s a group effort! Together I hope we can rebuild some of what made this country so great! It’s about time we fell back on older ideals of living! Thanks for all you do Mike keep up the great work!! I’ll pass your message along — and know I’ll always be a proud fan!

Jillian | 10/20/09 | 2:37 pm
Mike, I’m a wife of a Plumber and all that you say on the video makes sense to me. I have always appreciated all the hard work that people like my husband do. And not just what my husband does but, all those other jobs that some people aren’t willing to work in. I see how my husband enjoys his job. And yes there are days when he would rather be home kicking back. But he is not a slacker. I’ve seen him go to work even on days when he is feelig sick. And all this for his Family. Thanks Mike! God Bless You In All You Do!

Bella | 10/20/09 | 3:17 pm
go to schools across america spread the word of real work, become an icon to students. show them then you dont have to be rich and famous and that a job from a trade school is ideal for some people. Tell the future workers of america in highschools to work. get work done, get active, get DIRTY.

-highschool student

Student | 10/20/09 | 6:18 pm
Thought,

I am a college student, and a certified pipe-fitter, I have worked as an electrician, plumber, framer, and handy man. I am 21 years old, and the truth is that it starts in the schools. The only reason why I wanted to do that was because my dad did, and because my shop teachers were good at showing me how much FUN and how it was good to ENJOY work. To make things with your hands, to want to show others how to do it. If we can get this out to the schools (which is going to be tough if possible at all) that is when you can see things turn around and for this country to change.

Just a thought, coming up from a school program and doing it, and if not for that I would not have done half the things I have.

From Indiana

Nathanael Stoermann | 10/20/09 | 6:37 pm
Dear Mike, first I have to say I love the idea you have on the web sight and that I am a very big fan of yours. I am a mother of a sixteen year old and I agree with your statements in your video.(Please hang in with me here) I would love to be able to go to a web sight and have my son be able to talk to people like plumers, electricians, wall street, and all other fields that are dying out. Part of the problem with our youth feeling limited is the education they are getting, where special programs such as building trades, are getting cut out due to budget cost and the school system just pushing kids through. The other problem our children face and why they have the attitude to not work in these areas is because they see all our jobs leaving our country. We lived in Michigan and now live in Florida. In Michigan we, as I’m sure you know, lost GM, Kellogg’s, and Lifesaver and also Georgia Pacific. I think when kids see this,like us, we become less willing to try different trades, afraid they will be taken away also. I think your sight would benefit where workers can talk to eachother to let it all out. I also belive these same people would be great for teens to talk to so they can understand more about jobs they may want to get into that no one else can tell them. Thanks For Listening, and may God Bless you for doing such a great job for others. Your in our prayers and thoughts. Sincerely, Nicki Cavanaugh

Nicki Cavanaugh | 10/20/09 | 6:41 pm
Nicki (et al)

Thanks for checking in and checking us out. We have a tradesmen directory over in the TOOL SHED section of the site which lists a bunch of hard working tradesfolk who have stepped up and are willing to ask answer questions about thier jobs. And over in the water cooler, the trade discussions are always going on. If you’re son is looking for something specific and can’t find it, let us know and we’ll dig it up. It’s what we do best!

Meyer

Meyer | 10/20/09 | 7:37 pm
W.O.R.K. = We Owe “R” Kids! I’m an Insurance customer service rep (Oy!), and my spouse works at a grocery store (now)for recession-proof job security! Neither job is “rewarding” but we both of us came from hard-working, Midwestern families! I am ENCOURAGING my son to go into the automotive industry (because he loves it and to focus on repair, even though he thinks designing is a “cool” job)! He just received a letter from his high school in academics (math & science), but is still focused on “how things work” instead of how things make money. He COULD BE the next engineer to break out the NEW “Mustang”, but what if he is the next mechanic to usher in the new feeling of, ” I trust my mechanic?” ??? I hear your message and want you to know MANY, MANY people out here respect & HEAR your message.

Gaye Klocke | 10/20/09 | 8:08 pm
Mike:
Just want you to know that you ae right on the money! We need to re discover the meaning of the world AMERICAN,. Thank you for your advice, honesty and hard work. Keep up the good work. Best of luck.
EricV

Eric | 10/20/09 | 8:38 pm
Mike,
Thanks for such a timely word. I too am dismayed with the direction our country is going in regards to the trades. The High School I attended here in Georgia had a vibrant vocational ed program which has now been scrapped. College does not supply all the knowledge for every job. We need to push for trade and vocational education for all public high schools.
Thanks

Michelle hudson | 10/21/09 | 1:42 pm
Mike Rowe for President!!!!! Truer words have not been spoken in a long time. Our son heard you speak tonight at the National FFA Convention. 1st time he’s has called home since his FFA chapter headed to Indy….he REALLY enjoyed it! Love the show, pretty much seen every episode, some twice. Keep up the good work and just so you know, our daughter is going to trade school to be a physical therapy assistant and the boys are cowboys….all of the kids have worked since they could walk basically. Let us know what we can do to help……You ROCK!

Tina Waite | 10/21/09 | 7:44 pm
I’m a fan of hard work. I milked cows every day after school for four years and during the summer a 16 hour work day was common.
I had high ACT scores and tested out of every math class our local comm. college had, I could go to any school I wanted. But I wanted to work. Two days after I graduated high school I went to work on a constuction crew that installed reflectors and painted the lines on roads.
We were forced to join a union that cut our net pay in half. For this reason and another health related reason I’m calling this season, my second season, my last.
I am going to go to college, get a very expensive piece of paper that says I’m “educated”, get a law degree, try to get elected to a public office, and change the wrong I see.

I believe that you are a good man, and are trying to jumpstart one of thee most important issues of our day that noone knows about.

“There’s plain few problems that can’t be solved by application of a little sweat and hard work”
Said by Clint Eastwood in the “Pale Rider”.

P.S. good job at the FFA National Convention today, I enjoyed listening to you even though you didn’t mention Ohio haha.

Vince | 10/21/09 | 8:13 pm
Could not have been said better! Respect and dignity should be given to all tradesmen. My grandfather and uncles work in the construction field. As a young girl I loved the smell of a hard working man with concrete dust. I respected them and they were my hero’s. Now that I am an adult, my husband works for the phone company and comes home with creosote and I love the smell of it too. I myself work with my hands. I am a massage therapist/instructor. (Yes my husband is very lucky) Thank you Mike for being such a handsome role model and for making Dirty Jobs look so good! I was glad to hear on Good Day LA that so many children love watching your show. Hopefully, they will see that they should pursue a job that pays the bills and makes them happy instead of being pressured to have a beautiful degree that hangs on the wall while they are unemployed.

Nancy | 10/22/09 | 1:22 am
I would encourage anyone to learn a vocational skill. Enroll in a trade school or technical program. Skilled craftmen can be proud of the jobs they perform. There are many states who have funding for this type of training. I support your message.

Terry Winkelmann | 10/22/09 | 1:52 pm
I have a feeling you didnt like working with that Snapping turtle dude, you both seemed annoyed by eachother. hahaha

Keep it ever so Dirty!

-Fellow dirty dude, Will

Will | 10/23/09 | 6:03 am
What a great idea mike.even though I am a skilled union tile and marble mechanic its been hard to find work.I am planning on moving back to northeast from florida after 11 yaers.I will pass this site on to all I know .thanks again.paul

paul lally | 10/28/09 | 9:11 am
What a great site!! It has everything all in one place, from current events to contacts. I look forward to seeing how it blossoms. -Michelle

Michelle Hartwig | 10/28/09 | 6:39 pm
Hello,
I had never seen this program on Discovery Channel and yesterday I saw it and it impresses me what you do, but more it impresses me it is who are as person, WOW!!!! Now I am al fan.
A hug,
Luz

Luz | 10/29/09 | 7:36 am
I never had any doubt your attributes were more than just your booming voice and your “That’s a guy I want at my party” demeanor. Now I’m not only impressed by your natural talent on “Dirty Jobs,” but also by your susinct and passionate promotion of this platform, which reminds us of how this country was REALLY built…and of the only way it’s not going to crumble…any more than it already has, unfortunately. Hope the beer was good on Labor Day ‘08, but I think it’s time to take a break and give us an update…what’s MikeRoweWorks.com up to these days?

Great people come from the East Coast…thanks for being one of them!
Rosemary

Rosemary Joseph-Kappel | 10/29/09 | 11:19 am
Well Done man, Well Done!!!!!! I’m behind you all the way, keep spreading the good word and good works. Don’t you think that a national works program would help get people back to work and our country back on it’s feet?

Worked for FDR.

Marjon

Marjon | 10/29/09 | 12:32 pm
Thank you for taking the time to use your fame to bring attention to this!!! I’m college educated and am employed very much in a “virtual” world, but have serious hobbies that will transition my employment to very much hands-on work and something I enjoy. Why would I leave a good paying “non-working” job? Because there aren’t enough skilled workers doing the “work” I enjoy as a hobby! Why not get paid to do the work I love!!!

Anyhow, best of luck! Great idea, and please keep it up!!!

Harold D | 10/29/09 | 5:13 pm
Kudos–I work in that “drudgery” and I’m convinced that if I go back to the skilled labor I was taught as a kid, I’d slow the advance of gray hair. Thanks for your site!

Olivia | 10/30/09 | 8:40 am
Amen, couldn’t have said it better myself. I have enjoyed your show but this outburst is unprecedented awesomeness. Keep striving with this concept, I couldn’t agree more.
FWIW, as a military member I would say that technical expertise is a major draw of the service. Especially since upon high school graduation we are qualified to? Dip frozen potatoes in hot fat? The military draws in not only those that feel compelled to serve but also draw in those looking for hands on practical training in the trades. America needs a renaissance of artisans. You’re right as rain. Thanks for stepping up.

T.Garcia | 10/31/09 | 12:14 am
Mr. Rowe,

My students and I had the privilege of hearing you speak at the 2009 National FFA Convention this past week. Your discussion and topic on recognizing and appreciating those that work in our country was incredible. However, I was more amazed that someone with “Star Power” would choose to recognize that the every-day man and woman who works in whatever job is deserving of respect regardless of how glamorous or sophisticated that job might be. It was the highlight of my trip to Indianapolis to hear you talk with respect about those who farm, ranch, build, clean up, and generally keep America moving. Too many Americans do exactly what you mentioned in your video… expect someone else to do it.

As a high school Agriculture Teacher, I find that one of the greatest challenges that I face in trying to educate my students is to get them to understand and value “Work”. To most students, work is a dirty, four-letter word. Most students as I guess we might expect continually look for the easy way out and that usually means not trying and not caring.

If you are seeking a pathway to begin spreading your incredible message, I would hope that you would begin in our public schools and primarily at the high school level. Jr High/Middle School students would not get the majority of your message and focusing on community colleges/trade schools would miss a large number of students who leave high school and choose to go directly to work or postpone attending college after graduation.

The next area that I would hope that you would focus your efforts are at the Administrative and District Office levels of High School Education. School administrators and specifically Guidance Counselors really only focus on getting students prepared to go directly into a four-year university. Students are even discouraged from attending community colleges by many counselors who view anything less than acceptance into a university as failure.

In California, if my statistics are correct, only 8+/- out of 100 high school graduates will complete a four year university education. School Districts need to focus upon preparing and fulfilling the needs of the other 92% of the students. Our students are being bombarded with “Standards” that allow for the myriad of tests that our students must participate in so that we can develop the all mighty “Test Scores” by which bureaucrats & politicians judge our schools. These bureacrats & politicians conveniently do not discuss “what our students are trained to do” when they complete their high school education (If they complete it at all!)

You have the power! Your persona and voice can help change the way students are educated and trained to become capable and successful in our society. We have all of the business graduates and lawyers that we could possibly need and look where they have taken us.

You are the voice! You (& Dirty Jobs) are more than welcome to come and visit my school classroom and teach my students for a day. Teaching is a great profession and I am proud to be a teacher in a great school in a great district, but even great schools need inspiration from an outside source. So come on over, we’re only 4 hours from San Francisco. My students and I will even barbeque for you and your crew!

Thanks for a great message, I’ll be sharing your website with everyone that I know.

Greg Hanger

Greg Hanger | 11/01/09 | 5:27 pm
I agree with what you said in the video. I believe it would be a good idea for your program to inform the public of what has really happened to the building trades…..from the perspective of union craftsman that can tell you of the obstacles and challenges we are facing in the 21st century regarding work in the building trades. People need to know about organized labors accredited apprenticeship programs and the contibutions that organized labor has made to the trades and continues to make. The challenges we face from contractors that are exploiting undocumented workers and therefore compromising American jobs so that they can increase their profit margins. I have watched and enjoyed your show. I hope that you will consider my comment in your upcoming shows.

Alejandro Garcia | 11/02/09 | 2:02 pm
My honest opinion / suggestion?
After watching this.
Palin and Rowe in 2012!!!
NO JOKE!!!!!!!!!

Chris Amato | 11/02/09 | 3:14 pm
I am from Corpus Christi,Tx. Here there is no skilled labor,
the city in the 70’s wanted everybody to go to college, and ended Hi-school shops. Like machine shop, welding, and auto mechs. and pushed for college only, and now we have a labor shortage in those skills. That is the city gov’s and USA gov’s fault for this. All of these jobs all blue collar
jobs, the backbone of this country .

tommy davis | 11/02/09 | 7:28 pm
I wholeheartedly agree with you. The major industry businesses of my small town have gone to the wayside. Now we are facing the possible loss of our steel mill. This is one of the very few left in America. I am trying to teach my 15 year old nephew skills that he may need one day such as basic plumbing and electrical. His comment to me is ” I’ll pay someone else to do it.” The problem with that is there may not be that someone else when he is grown. I had to laugh when I heard your comment about bridges. In my town about 85% of the bridges are structurally insecure. One of our local news websites posts the percentage of the instability so you will know how many bridges you cross that you could possibly loose your life to. Great huh? One of those bridges goes over the road I live on as well. There are currently 7 or 8 that have been torn out and are being replaced. The workers are rarely there and the city keeps moving back the final repair date. Who knows when they will be fixed. I guess my problem is who would listen to us? I know the squeaky wheel gets the grease but will someone actually grease it? So many of our industries have gone overseas because it’s cheaper. When I go to the store I always look for the made in America label, but there are fewer these days. Whatever I can do to help you know I will support you as I know thousands of others will.
Paula McDaniels
Sand Springs OK

Paula McDaniels | 11/03/09 | 6:48 am
I just watched your video, and your are so right! Work has turned into a something people just really don”t want to do and do not take any pride in what they do. I hope your video and attention to this growing situation will help things turn around. Thank you so much for addressing this problem. I will look for your updates on this website.

Trish Mott | 11/03/09 | 8:22 am
Mike,my family and I have enjoyed your show very much. I would like to thank you for this endevor. I have been a part of the Trades movement for over 35 years and yours is the first show that has truly shown the American Worker in a light of honor and dignity. Over the next ten years we will be loseing about 40% of our work force with very little interest by the younger people of this area to replace these lost tradesmen. Again Thank you for this and your interst in the American Trades. Good luck and keep the fires burning.

Mack Ray | 11/03/09 | 8:24 am
I was stunned by this, and you are right. I grew up a carpenters daughter, my family and i would go and help my father on the weekends to breakdown the forms for the new homes. I found it hard to do, but i wouldnt change that for anything in the world. My brother is doing it now and my son got to help on summers, and he loved it. And when i got married i saw another side too, it was being a farmer. It is very hard work too. I appreciate all this hard labor work. But to me if you like doing it, it is not work. I look forward to your future website. And i will pass this along to all who will listen, young & old.

Again Thank you!!!

Rosie Stox | 11/03/09 | 9:25 am
I love it! Bring it!!! Can’t wait to see where this goes and positive influence it will have. I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments, sincerity, gesticulations, etc. Nicely done and thanks for sharing.

Kellie Vap | 11/03/09 | 4:23 pm
Hi Mike. You are echoing what we have been saying for years. We own a dairy farm in Pennsylvania. There is no glory in work anymore, but every night I got to bed feeling like I have accomplished something that matters. We feed the world and are essential to the survival of this country, yet are given so little respect. I have two sons who hopefully are learning what work is and that a little dirt never hurt anyone. No holidays, no sick days, no vacations. One thing I would love to be able to do is educate more people on what we do as farmers and providers. This is an essential tool in earning respect for our profession, and in turn, convincing more people to do what we do. We recently started a corn maze and agricultural education center to try to accomplish this. Someday I’d love to have a farm education center where people can visit and help milk cows, feed livestock and do field work. I think the experience would open a lot of eyes. Anyway, keep up the great work – we love the show. Gotta go – there’s work to do. Susie G. in PA

Susie | 11/03/09 | 6:57 pm
AMEN BROTHER !!!! YOU ROCK !!!

You are not alone .

Andrew | 11/03/09 | 9:16 pm
Mike! I gotta hand it to you brother. You hit the nail on the head. no pun intended haha. I’m 22 and I see all my peers going into computer and other stuff. Very few of people my age realize that you can make money working with your hands. I think part of the problem is kids growing up now are pumped so full of its bad to be dirty. dirty is unhealthy. dirt=germs. But with the proper safety equipment it really is not that big of a deal. I got out of high school and opened my own detailing business. I was making $350 a week with just a few clients and about 30 hours of work a week.Of course when I started it was all under the table. I went to go register with New York State and then form an LLC to protect my assets. But the government made it too hard and kept me jumping through hoops. So I started working with my dad in the family glass business. Sure its not quite as “dirty” as your jobs but its not easy. We had a quite a scare. My dad was carrying a sheet of glass and it suddenly broke for no reason and came within a quarter of an inch of his jugular. You get your fingers sliced pretty good sometimes. But if the glaziers (Glassmen in lamens terms) were not around who would install and repair windows after vandalism, accidents, and in new homes. Yes it is WORK. Yes it is grunt work. yes you get dirty. yes you get cuts and bruises and scrapes. But I’m proud to know these skills. I am proud that I am helping keep america going. I’m proud to be a volunteer firefighter. And I am proud to be a WORKER because America would fall without us!! Thanks for what you are doing for the working man, the guy (or woman) thats welding beams for a new school, the person who is hauling rolls of carpet up the stairs to finish a room in a new house, the everyday joe who busts his butt day after day. Thank you Mike!

Dave | 11/03/09 | 9:56 pm
Mike, you are certainly an intriguing guy. You are a complete package that comes with hope. I am proud of what you are doing and glad someone is taking the reigns on our failing system and it starts with the culture of America. I hate to be a kill joy, but I hope you can accomplish what you set out to do. Culture is hard to change and you have a lot going against you. Like you said, media, government and people themselves are taking away American pride and substituted it for “get something for nothing” mentality. I’m not trying to tick off the people that do work hard and appreciate what they have, I’m one of them. I just want you to know I understand what a huge undertaking this is going to be and I am behind you 100%! I think for the majority of Americans we want to do a good job and feel like we’ve accomplished something at the end of the day. But how do you address all these people (my husband is one of them) that works in trade and actively looks for work and can’t find it. We need funding for the bridge work, road repair, demolition, etc. I want to help, I write my congressmen and tell of our needs. But D.C. is far from middle America…you know what this is turning into more than I wanted to say.
Mike I think your great!!!!! I will promote your site and help with suggestions and any other way I can. Good on Ya!!!

Angela | 11/05/09 | 1:03 pm
Truer words have never been spoken.Wish I knew what to do to help? thanks Mike

Rick West | 11/07/09 | 11:04 am
Just wanted to say, Mike, that I have been a huge fan of your work, especially Dirty Jobs, for quite a long time now. I’m 19 and a junior in college, and I have to say I couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen the results of this indoctrination into a non-working society very clearly in my peers. I’ve seen it every time I’m asked in a class to introduce myself and say my major, which is horticulture. Nowadays no one y age even knows what that means, let alone understands why I would rather work outside with my hands in all sorts of weather than in a cushy, climate-controlled office.

I’ve seen it every time I was in a class as a high school Senior and the teacher asked what was next for us, the students. Maybe one or two kids intended to go somewhere other than major universities, let alone trade schools. And if they did express a desire to enter a trade, everyone looked on them with pity, like it was a last resort, settling for something and giving up their ambitions. And now I see it within the major university that I attend. Even in the horticulture program, the focus is on preparing students to work in labs rather than doing physical labor. And in the closely-related landscape architecture program, the emphasis is on the art involved rather than installation and construction, making the design a reality, the real meaning of the profession.

I sit in class with student after student that aspires to do nothing more than sit at a desk and stare at a computer, yet dares to look down on me for aspiring to spend my time outside, breaking my back over something that I love and in which I believe strongly. One day I want to run a wholesale nursery, but you can bet that when I make it to the top, I won’t step aside and sit at a desk. Everything America is today is because of people like the men and women you work with, the men and women on this website, and I refuse to take that for granted by not doing my part. This is something I have believed in very strongly since I first saw myself stigmatized by my peers, and I am so very glad that this movement (movement in the making, at least) has a voice like yours. Thank you for everything you have done and are doing, and as those who have commented before me have said, RIGHT ON.

Liz | 11/08/09 | 4:00 pm
Hi Mike,
I wrote a comment back on the 5th of Nov. and wanted to do a follow up..i had a conversation with my mother (60) about my brother who has been out of work, she was saying “he needs to get a degree”. my brother is a musician by night and worked on the line for GM by day. He has been laid off for 2 years. i argued with her that he needs to learn a trade…and that, like you said, our country is literally falling apart. Anyway, just wanted you to know I am a voice for your cause and tried to change her way of thinking, and tried to educate her on what really needs to happen in the country, and she agreed!! So i continue to pass along your vision and hope we can get congress on board for some real support!!! Good day Mike.

angela z | 11/09/09 | 4:19 am
From Mike to Mike

I concur.

It amazes me to meet people with absolutely no clue as to how simple things operate. Let me rephrase. I’m astonished with the vast majority that refuse to put the effort in to learning. I am a 26 year old handyman. When I go to a home to work, I notice a varied level of participation from the resident. Generally, folks point at the problem and walk away and I will come get them when I’m done. Few stick around to learn the root cause or methods of prevention. Generally I know what I’m doing and do good work. Occasionally, I suffer from a bit of performance anxiety brought on by the individuals that swear they would do it differently as they stand over my shoulder and watch me fumble with my tools. I don’t mind on-lookers especially children. They are always so interested to learn new things and see tools in use. In fact most of them would prefer to do the works them selves and I would let them if it were not for the constraints of time (and danger.) I just think its interesting how curious they are compared to there parents.
By the way I charge between 25 and 45 and hour for my services.
No college degree. Just me, my truck and my tools.
People always smile when they pay me.
I like that.

Michael Hogan | 11/10/09 | 1:18 am
Mike, Thank you for bringing this subject to national attention. I am a carpenter by trade and a Remodeler and home builder by profession. I have been in the business for more than 30 years. The average age of my crew is over 40 years old and although they are the best in the business they will want to retire someday. It is increasingly difficult to find younger employees that even have an insurable driving record let alone the ambition to learn and work.

I believe the problem starts in our k-12 education system. When I was going to school if you had an aptitude for a trade you were encouraged to pursue it. Now when our children enter first grade it is assumed that they will go to college and their education and impressionable young minds are directed that way. The problem then becomes the young adults that go off to college and don’t finish because they shouldn’t have been there in the first place, or graduate with a degree that can’t get them a job, don’t have any skills or the desire learn to do the work that most trades demand.

I believe the education of the public needs to start with our teachers and school administrators. Next the parents and finally the students.

Thank you again and I hope this project makes a difference.

Dallas Johnson | 11/10/09 | 12:44 pm
Mike,
Dude; I am inspired again.
After floundering from dirty job to dirty job, I joined the military at age 26. I found Aviation. Following several years with the Army I returning home to Mobile, AL. Aviation maintenance was now my dream career. I worked many years on the hangar floor as a mechanic and later ran the company apprenticeship program. Part of that job was share with high school students about working in the aviation trade. The focus was that your personal talents are used in a team atmosphere to accomplish a massive undertaking and how rewarding it is when your plane takes off safely.
I teach at the local two-year aviation college at night and work for a nonprofit foundation by day assisting our local school system curb the dropout rate through the use of good old fashion trade and career exploration to encourage students to stay in school.
Do you know the difference between them and us? In trades and labor, mentoring and relationships happen. The passing of the torch from one generation to the next. I am thankful to my dad, and all of the other mentors that took time out of their lives to make me who I am.
Thank you for your web site.
Kevin A&P

Kevin Atkins | 11/10/09 | 2:27 pm
Well said, Mr. Rowe. I’ve long shared your opinion about the puacity of young people entering the trades. You are one suave dude on Dirty Jobs, which I view at every opportunity. Keep up the good work, dirty and otherwise, and know that many of your fans will be checking on the progress of MikeRoweWORKS, a most commendable effort.

Bruce | 11/11/09 | 7:31 pm
Mike

You are exactly correct in what you are saying about the ideas of work in America. We are graduating far too many from college who do NOT know how to swing a hammer, change a faucet, change a tire, or even clean their own room. The sad reality is they don’t want to learn how to do those things because all that stuff is below them. We in Southwest Alabama are of the opinion that business and industry MUST ingage themselves into the K-12 school system to make our youth aware that these “skilled” jobs ARE the future of this country and those who are skilled in something will always be working.

We formed a 501C-3 organization lead by business and industry to help push this message out to citizens in 8 counties in Southwest Alabama. Please take a few minutes and view our website- sawdc.com or sawdc.org. I would like to hear back from you with your comments because it sounds like we are on the exact same page. There may also be an oportunity for use to do some work together in the near future (as long as it does not require me to get dirty!!! Ha Ha

Thanks for what you are doing! I can tell that you believe in your efforts as do I.

Al Etheridge – Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Coordinator

Al Etheridge | 11/12/09 | 12:10 am
Hey Mike, I’ve been a big fan of your show for a long time. I’m 24 and attending ITT in Austin,Tx. Used to live near Tyler,Tx where you put up that road sign up and a friend waited on you at the Texas Road House. But besides the point, I just would like to say I agree with alot of what this site is about and what your trying to do. I beleave you to be a guy of great character and humor. And I can’t think of a better person to let this be known about our crumbling work force. My father even fell victim to it not to long ago. I do hope that you can make this known nation and world wide. And maybe you can even tour and speek about this to the American people. And you were right, brown should come before green. Hard work should not be shunned but honored with respect. Hope you continue with your success and God be with you sir.

Terry Cawthon | 11/14/09 | 8:48 pm
Mike Rowe is “hitting the nail on the head”! We no longer have the true “crafts” in the trades, they are jobs of work. We have become a nation of lowest bid, by the unit or square foot, gets awarded the project or contract. Then as a “smart business owner” the work is farmed out. Generally hiring out to foreign entities or subs, to “gitter done” as low cost, quickly as possible, to “turn the dollar” for revenue.
Looking at our nation’s general economy and society of working class, being in the trades,or ‘using your hands’ has become a transitional career for a swelling percentage of us. The thought process, in general is, “I’m really just waiting until my career field opens up, or “I am laid off and decided to do some construction work, for a much needed paycheck”. For many waiting for a better job opening to eventually come along. For some of us, it never does.
As a nation, we have lost our work ethics in the labor trades/jobs. The general mindset a mind is education with degree, degree, degree, not in the labor sector, but rather the office/Walls street type position for a “cushy job”. Making money becomes the name of the game, and obtaining a bottom line with profitable answer for the task at hand, in any manner you can…at many times sacrificing, or disregarding pride, workmanship, ethics and true craft results. Just look at the astonishing revelations of “Enron” and “Madhoff” schemes.
We need to get back to the “guild” or “craft” development process for educating and training the upcoming generation. They will be the “doing and running” for the future of this nations workforces, period! There needs to be a conscious effort to elevate and bring back the respect for our trades and those who work with their hands(in addition to their minds).
It will take positive mindsets, time(patience), a new re-learning curve for all, more “ethics” defined education and proper financial resources(government and private sector support).

Ken S.- Fla. Gulfcoast Painting Contractor | 11/15/09 | 3:30 am
Hello Mike…Long time fan of your show…YES you hit the nail on the head. I am nearing the end of my construction career. I am a contractor (hands on) and have reached the point where my body cannot produce like it used to. I have great knowledge of construction and there is no one to pass it on to. I have specialized in remodeling due to the current housing industry. I have taught my employees over the years on how to see through walls with the help of my experience. Sad to say I only work with older workers (40+) because of lack of knowledge from the younger workers. I am in my 50’s and still get dirty. I have noticed the younger workers do not like to listen …but that has been going on for years…Getting the public to understand that years of experience does not come cheap…the price war in the industry is hurting the honest contractor. There are too many unlicensed and uninsured workers out there undercutting the law abiding contractor.The public (general masses) have been trained to always go with the low price……Good luck with you venture…If I knew how to help I would…you have a long road ahead of you.

Sincerely
Michael Bertocchi

Michael Bertocchi | 11/16/09 | 4:11 pm
Wonderful message – I agree whole heartily. I have been saying the same for years. One suggestion is to send this to high school guidance councelors so that they can share with teans. Use examples of successful trades and the potential they have for a full and meaningful life. I am an engineer who has 2 college degrees but work on my farm and try to do as much WORK as I can – wish we could send you to Washington DC. I love your dirty jobs show. keep up the GREAT WORK. We don’t really build anything in America anymore That’s why China will own us in a few years.

Pete Knutsen | 11/19/09 | 1:07 pm
Hey Mike, you are absolutely correct about America’s crumbling infrastructure. Large municipalities such as Boston an NYC are in crisis mode trying to anticipate and deal with emergency ‘temporary’ fixes. And the effect of our tradespeople have been devastating over the past 15 months here in New England. As one of the most respected union contractors in Boston, I am sure the company I work for supports your efforts in this important endeavor. Are you currently available for speaking engagements? It may be of interest both to our company and others in the community at our company annual business meeting. If so, please leave a post and thank you very much for your consideration.

Lecia | 11/19/09 | 7:00 pm
In my career in the media, I’ve been saying these same things for 25 years. On radio, on TV. In print. In person. The truth of your statements cannot be overstated. You’re on the mark here. God bless you for having the grit to do it.
w

Warren | 11/20/09 | 12:14 pm
I came up “after Viet Nam” in an apprentice program that was not pleasant but made me proud. I am sorry that trade schools are now disbanded because of, as i heard on the news a couple of weeks ago, ‘racial’.

I have seen you do some things, insemetatin of cattle, cleaning out nasty areas,etc; and the people that are pushing you into those things are not doing it for fun, but are doing it so they can actually show the public what they do on a day to day basis that they are proud of.

I have shoveled crap and worked my way up to a supervisor, can’t go any further my friend without college, and I am vlery proud of what i do. Now my friend, am very proud of what you do.

Dale S | 11/21/09 | 6:10 pm
Hi Mike,

First and foremost, the point you drive home with, is that society has placed the last place ribbon on trade skills, and from what you show with “Dirty Jobs” it encapsulates what most people fear – Holy CR@P, I don’t want to do that!
It is truly a shame that the youth today don’t have a clue how to go outside and “play and get dirty”. Keep the kids away from video games, texting, and MP3 players (at least for an hour or two a day), and put a shovel, a hard hat, and perhaps the occasional live-wire in their hands , and the X-genr’s might have a chance at finding out what real work is all about.
What you are doing is a huge advocacy for bringing back the “minority” (although they are the most prolific) workers, and placing them in the forefront of people’s faces, and making them the majority again. Keep up this awesome work!

Also, love the voice for “Deadliest Catch” – and those guys do one hell of a job! Thank the good Lord for the Discovery Channel and Mike Rowe! God Bless

Bruce

Bruce Wade | 11/21/09 | 10:06 pm
Thank you mike for taking on this knoble cause

Scott Farides | 11/22/09 | 6:45 pm
Hey Mike, I personally do not have any ideas for you but I do know that anything you try to do I feel like you will succeed!! Just one of those kind of guys! I will be watching for your input and please don’t ever quit your show it’s the best tv viewing out there! Thanks one of your many fans! Peggy Watson

Peggy Watson | 11/28/09 | 9:41 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more. My dad was a machinist (lathe operator) for my whole childhood and into my 30s. Part of the problem that I see is that companies can hold on to skilled/experienced people that are white collar. Blue collar is a little harder, but if these older/skilled guys aren’t around to teach the grads/apprentices the REAL world then who will? You can learn alot from the books and classes but the real lessons come from the trenches. My dad always told me the world needed ditch diggers too! There really is something to be said about getting your hands in there and dirty. Life doesn’t offer that type of satisfaction or pride too often. Some of the best people I know are blue collar and proud of it. And so am I.

Becky Bast | 11/29/09 | 11:32 am
Hi Mike,

It is refreshing to hear some common sense for a change. I am encouraged by your movement to make a difference and I wish you much success with your endeavor.

Although I totally agree with most of your comments, I believe the lack of skilled tradespeople is a symptom of crippling economic exploitation rather than a population with the “War On Work” or the “Work is the enemy” attitude that you speak of.

Sure, the next generation of Americans are obsessed with fame and fortune without the work. You only have to look as far as Paris Hilton to encapsulate the illusion of fame. Paris Hilton has not worked to get where she is, she was born into wealth and she really didn’t become notable until the One Night Paris viral sex video release. Paris Hilton then took that stunt and parlayed into a TV show that basically makes fun of hard working Americans who are gullible enough to invite this woman into their homes and lives. And yet, she serves as one of many poor examples of which some of the next generation is following. When school aged children were asked, according to a CNN poll, what they wanted to be when they grew up, the majority of responses were “to be famous”, not to be famous for anything in particular, just simply to be famous. I think this poll speaks volumes to the prevailing attitude of the next generation. Why work hard when you can be featured on TV with absolutely no talent and nothing to say? All you have to do is create some on-screen drama (Big Brother and other such reality-based programs are perfect examples) for an audience of couch voyeurs in order to create ratings which, in turn, perpetuates more of the same useless yet profitable TV. This approach to achieving quick fame and snubbing hard work may be the nucleus of your “Work is the enemy” theory.

Having said that, let’s take a few steps backwards and examine how the US has arrived at today’s economic location. I agree with you that outsourcing is arguably the biggest cause for much of America’s decline. Companies that used to rely on skilled workers and quality products are seeking cheaper labor and merchandise outside of the US and that trend is growing. Let’s take for instance Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart reported third quarter profit that ended Oct 31 of $3.23 billion dollars. How are they so profitable? They infiltrate small and large towns, eliminate the smaller business competition with the sheer volume of merchandise and low prices. How are their prices so cheap? The majority of products Americans are buying at Wal-Mart (and many other chain stores) are made by people (and children in some cases) from places like China where there are no unions, worker’s rights or minimum wage standards. As a result Wal-Mart can buy products that cost a tiny fraction of what it would cost to produce such goods in the US because in the US there are (or were) unions, worker’s rights and minimum wage standards that would interfere with their profit margins. This is increasingly the Corporate American way of doing business. To further illustrate my point that Americans are not buying American goods, let’s examine the Cash for Clunkers Program that was born from a desire to kick-start the economy. The number-one selling new car in exchange for the clunkers, according to the new reports that I watched, was the Toyota. You want to be a good American Citizen? Buy American products, buy local produce and support America instead of China or Japan or Korea. Then Americans can get their jobs back, a decent wage, have money to learn new skills qualifying them to meet the demand for skilled workers and possess disposable income that will kick-start the economy.

Add to this approach by insisting that your American Government legislate that all American companies/corporations that are selling goods in the US must keep a portion of manufacturing inside America. There also has to be an end to the tax loopholes that these same companies/corporations have to be taking advantage of. Offer greater tax incentives for people who buy American-made goods. Employees must demand the right to form unions and demand profit-sharing and/or health benefits when working for companies that make X amount of dollars in profit. Sure, detractors will say “We can’t compete with other international companies unless we outsource.” My reply is to simply look at company profits and ask “What’s more important, selling out and exploiting workers for grotesque profits for a few people to enjoy or reclaiming the American way of life that can be enjoyed by all?” Another solution would be to build better quality products that last longer and would be preferred to imported goods. Maybe an embargo on imported goods from countries known to violate and exploit workers of all ages would help even the playing field? Sure, there would be growing pains, but these pains could possibly be endured with an injection of taxpayer’s cash (like… oh, I dunno a Government bailout) directly back into the hands of taxpayers to aid in the resuscitation of the economy until things are back on track. A bailout that could help people pay down their debts, free up some spending money and really stabilize the economy instead of propping up a failed and dubious economic banking model that is doomed to repeat itself.

The population had better open their eyes soon, or get used to the rising unemployment rates and rising prices from the monopolization of consumer goods and services. Soon all that will be left is a country that can’t afford to buy anything, no matter where it’s made.

And, on the topic of recent bailouts – the concept here is that if the banks get the cash the “trickle down” theory will get Americans back on their feet. This economical model was feed to Americans before in the form of tax cuts for the wealthiest American taxpayers and it didn’t work. For crying out loud, Alan Greenspan (former Chairman of the Federal Reserve) even admits that the trickle down economics do not work, especially when there is virtually zero regulations to keep the banks from robbing the country blind.

If people really want to turn American around, promote these tenets:

- stop buying on credit and instead buy what you can afford
- stop buying grocery store rags like The Enquirer and instead pick up a book
- stop watching empty-headed TV (i.e. American Idol, Deal Or No Deal, etc) that encourages the increase in production of the same sort of TV and instead view a documentary about what is really going on in the US
- buy local produce at farmer’s markets where the food is better quality instead of large grocery chains
- shop at locally owned, small stores and companies to keep competition alive
- try your best to buy American made goods or at least fair trade goods
- boycott stores selling sweat shop merchandise and ask where the merchandise was made
- start an e-mail dialogue with your Government representatives and tell them what you want to see happen in the future, if you don’t the lobbyists who pay for their campaigns sure will
- take back the American Government’s right to produce it’s own money instead of allowing a private consortium of banker called the Federal Reserve to keep racking up this never-ending interest scam that is paid by the American taxpayers.
- most importantly, protect the freedom of information that exists on the internet. Research motifs behind the movements to restrict content by your service providers
- support Mike’s efforts to establish the network that he suggests that will create skilled workers.

Anyway, sorry to rant, but I think the topics I address are related to your assessment of current working conditions. Best of luck with your project, I’ll keep checking in to monitor your progress and thanks for providing this forum.

Andrew

Andrew Y | 11/30/09 | 5:24 pm
Bravo Mr. Rowe
My feeling is that we have to change the perception of what being “successful” means. It no longer means working at a job supporting your family and trying to be part of the community. It has taken on the meaning of being “the boss” or “the manager”. My son is 27 and works as a cook in a restaurant chain but I notice that when he tells someone what he does he always has to add “but there thinking of making me assistant manager”. I tell him be proud that your holding down a job and supporting yourself.
We as a society have created this over achieving spoon fed crap that we serve up everyday on the media and thats one place we need to start.
“If no bees were workers bees the hive dies”

Mark Swint
Clearwater, FL

Mark Swint | 11/30/09 | 6:45 pm
AMEN Mike I work as a civilian on a Air Force Base and do have pride about the job i do to keep or war fighters flying safe and efficent fighter aircraft. I see people out there that only do it for money and the less they have to do for the money the better. I have two teenage sons 17 and 18 and i cannot get them off their @#*$% and get a job. They think that they should start of working at the top and who cares about starting at the bottom. Great job on the show and the web site. Love ya man your the greatest keep up the good Jobs….. Again thanks for saying what we all need to !!!

Bart | 12/01/09 | 9:07 am
Mike, I absolutely agree with you about your observations! You know, you mention in your show about your father being in the hog business. Well, I always wondered if he had a farm on the Eastern Shore? I ask because my summer job in between semesters at Loyola I was selling catalytic heaters that my father and his partners (read me – I assembled them)manufactured in Elkton. I would spend weeks and weeks calling on the hog and poultry growers; and I visited about every growing operation on the Eastern Shore from Chesapeake City south to Pocomoke City. I learned a lot about the work ethic from those folks! I came to really respect their knowledge; and I came away with a deep love for their work and life style. As I progressed in school, and later for my MBA, I found few colleges were turning out production managers. The focus was always on finance or telemarketing. Heck, I learned more from the General Manager of a Poultry operation than I did from some PHD instructor. This country has lost it’s appreciation for manufacturing – just plain making things! People confuse working clean with prestige. I’m going to tell my friends on Facebook about your site. I hope that I can help in other ways as well!

John | 12/01/09 | 8:13 pm
Hi Mike,
This is about the best idea I have every heard of in my 60 + years. Since graduating from a rural high school I have had a lot of JOBS and one career. The military taught me a lot about discipline, teamwork, leadership and pride in a job well done. I have carried those lessons over in retail sales, machinist trades, shop maintenance supervisor and disaster preparedness professional. In every field I have met really skilled co-workers that took pride in their ackomplishments and set a standard not only for me and their peers but for all Americans. As I look forward to retirement I am considering my options and find that opportunities for guys (and gals) of my experience are deminishing as our economy (and workforce)is going global. There is a lot of work to do if we are going to get our nation back on track. A lot of people are ready to show up and pitch in to make it happen. Thanks again Mike. Tom B.

Tom Barnhizer | 12/02/09 | 11:45 am
Mike I think we can do this by bringing work and education together. You may ask how. Well I feel by using coorperate america against themselves Mike. In every major city in America hold a forum, to where people in small towns around can help others learn the trades. Such as at a stadium or at a arena have plumbers, sheetrockers, roofers, etc, publicly speak mike. People who are small business owners to big business owners. And thats a small stepping stone to where we can go as americans. We can prevail. I have confidence in my country and I have confidence in you cause you educate students at this time with your show. Thank you. For your committment.

Jackson Anderson | 12/03/09 | 9:44 pm
Hey Mike, I’m glad somebody with a voice actually is speaking up for us!! I am a heavy equipment operator and have been one for 15 years now. This reccession is killing my trade, I haven’t had steady work in over 2 1/2 years, as a matter of fact, the slopes that you were spraying with the erosion control substances in Chula Vista Ca. were my slopes. I built them along with the help of my dirt spread team. I run an 834 rubber tire compactor. I sure wish you would of been able to do a segment on how the dirt was moved and placed, it would’ve given you a whole new perspective on how to really make a piece of heavy equipment produce. Our work days were from 10 to 12 hours a day 5 to 6 days a week. We need to be put back to work in a bad way, if we go back…we meaning the construction trades, then I believe the rest will take care of itself. Would you please try and itterate the pride that goes along with a feeling of accomplishment, when you build something of use to better society as a whole. Just think how far would we be if we didn’t have concrete buildings, or paved roads, just sit back and ponder where we use asphult for example, what is related to it in our society and what would be affected by, the removal of it from society. I sure would like to talk to ya a little more about this mess that we are all in right now. I come from a long line of tradesmen, and my dad is actually a plumber!! LOL!!! Thanks for your time Mike, and please feel free to e-mail me anytime, I would love to sit down pop a few cold ones and have a nice chat. I love dirty jobs by the way keep up the good work….Tammy Ortega, & yes I’m a chick!

Tammy S Ortega | 12/04/09 | 2:57 am
AMEN Mike Rowe. Amen.

I have known of your show for some time now, but never had the pleasure of sitting and watching it…until this week. Ya see – I recently signed up for Netflix completely because they just penned a deal with Sony where you can watch TV shows and movies through the PlayStation3 on your TV – and are no longer relegated to watching streaming TV shows and movies from Netflix’s catalog on your computer.

So – I went to digging to see what offerings Netflix had from Discovery (one of my favorite networks) – and lo and behold…they have Collections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Dirty Jobs! I figured I’d give it a shot…started with collection one…and am now halfway through collection 3. And I must say, being that Netflix offers collections 2-4 in HD…and they stream in HD from my PS3 to my TV – HD is simply the way Dirty Job MUST be enjoyed. Especially being that my HD tele is 61″ – I tell you what! Seeing some of the things I’ve seen in Dirty Jobs on at 61″ screen in FULL HD – I had to stop eating and swallow hard…and drink some water…and try not to gag. It was almost like being there beside ya Mike I mean…on that big ol’ monster…you’re pretty much life-sized in my apartment – which…isn’t weird…yeah. ANYwho.

Thank you for championing this cause! Every word you said rang true to my core. I have many uncles and cousins working in jobs you would define as “dirty” – one is a ride engineer for Six Flags…one is a metal working in Fort Worth…one is a professional bull rider and farrier – and as such – they all and we all thank you sir.

I would love to help you with this cause in any manner that I can. Please feel free to email me and let me know if there’s anything I can do to assist you…and as always…keep it dirty, Mike.

God bless,
– mdm

mark daniel miller | 12/05/09 | 1:34 pm
Great video and Right On!!!

My grandfather supported his family doing whatever he could, even traveling hours a day to his job. He was a carpenter by trade. He died several years ago at the age of 86.

My Dad was a machinist with the same company for 37 years before dying of a massive heart attack a few months ago at the age of 57. He would work 16 hour days and come home and do repair and carpentry work on our house – rebuilding it twice. Both my husband and my 2 brothers were devastated at the knowledge and experience that died with him before he could teach them what he knew.

I am concerned the good, hard, red-blooded working american is a dying breed and being replaced with lazy, ignorant people who think all chicken grows inside styrofoam packaging in nugget form and that the government is resposible for ‘bailing them out’ when times get tough.

Thanks for doing such a great job!

K. Salber | 12/09/09 | 11:32 am
Mike,
I have read a ton of stuff on this website of yours and this is fantastic. There isn’t much I can say to you about how important I feel the things that you are bringing attention to, need addressed. In my mind you are right on target.

Thanks Mike,
Si Hugo

Si Hugo | 12/13/09 | 10:10 pm
Mike’ I’m an hvac contractor in Santa Rosa Ca.Please get this message out it is the only way we can save the trades in this country.

Jim crawford | 12/14/09 | 10:54 am
100% AGREED–Awareness and Education is a good place to start. So many young people are stuck with the age old questions—“what to be when I grow up?” We need to start early—“career day—7th grade”. Many do not realize the potential and opportunities that are available for “Skilled Labor”–not everyone is meant to work behind a desk or spend a lifetime with their noses in books–talking about theory. Once upon a time, being rewarded financially for advancing through certified training programs and working in a trade with the same company for 35 or 40 years was ommon place. An honorable living that provided so much more than a gold watch. “Blue Collar” was not a put down or implied that you were less than. You could buy a house, raise your family and go on vacation. In the days that seniority meant something other than higher health insurance premiums and higher benefit cost. To be a mentor, was viewed as a privilege not a burden. This “movement” is making the “Made in America” labels, a collector’s prize. This is a worthy issue and complex issue. Are we really a nation that makes a profit from producing nothing and “out sourcing” everything to stay ahead—makes you wonder if we’re ahead or just gone around the block again?

Kristina Harris | 12/15/09 | 4:47 pm
Outstanding Mike

My young son Jack and I have been watching Dirty Jobs for a couple years now, in large part because of how closely your lot in life resembles my own. I work for a hydraulic component manufacturer and spend my life working in plants where they make all sorts of equipment with nothing in common except they keep churning out equipment that rolls through the lower levels of society and makes it possible for the rest of the world to just drive down a road or set their garbage on the curb. Your take on the loss of integrity regarding hard work strikes home… Once upon a time, at one of the smaller outposts in the University of Wisconsin system, I obvserved a few 20 year olds watching construction workers install underground piping outside one of the campus buildings. One commented about what “An incredible incentive to continue your education” he was witnessing. He’s probably trying to sell something useless right now, while the men he was watching spent their careers contributing to society. Not that everyone needs to be a ditchdigger… but when you decide you don’t need anyone to be one, well, then you’re just done.

Keep up the good work.

Jon Liddicoat | 12/15/09 | 9:45 pm
DEAR MIKE
I HAVE AN IDEA FOR YOU. SHOW A TRADE SCHOOL.I WHEN WENT THROUGH ONE AND THEY SHOWED HOW TO DO AUTO TO ELECTRICAL.NOW 31 YEARS LATER THERE IS NOT 1 THING I CAN NOT DO.YOUR SHOW HAS HIT HOME DEEP. THERE IS ONE LIKE YOU THAT LIKES TO DIG IN AND GET IT DONE DIRTY. CLEM

GUY R CLEMENTS | 12/16/09 | 4:36 pm
A country that puts a sports “hero” on the cover of newspapers while burying the story of 4 working police officers getting killed somewhere around page 18, depending what paper you read, is a country in very sad shape! Mike’s right about the wrong people being worshipped.

Vinny Reiner | 12/17/09 | 1:51 am
Mike Rowe For President!
Wow, so nice to hear what I think a lot of Americans are thinking! Not sure what I can do, but if there is every a place in your Presidential Campaign team, I would love to apply!

Anson | 12/17/09 | 2:46 pm
Mike,
Been a fan for some time and am especially pleased that you have taken on the challenge of telling the story of the hard-working people that labor for us each day. Some of the people that are most needed are taken for granted and we think they must not have formal educations because of their trade. For me I most appreciate the plumber, carpenter, painter, electrician, firemen, etc., because without them the world would be much different and much of our time would be trying to do these things for ourselves and for most of us not nearly as well as these unrecognized and under appreciated professionals. So I really appreciate you speaking about and for the hard-working people that have been forgotten. Thanks.

Gene | 12/18/09 | 6:17 am
Thanks Mike.I am a Poultryman of 31 years, egg laying, not me personally, my birds. I have been a Manager, an owner, and now a manager again. Feeding and caring for 250,000 organic brown egg layers, raising and rearing our replacement birds and employing 40-45 employees. I couldn’t agree with you more.Keep up the good work, as you know you are speaking on behalf of a lot of hard working folks, were backing you in this . Thanks, Ron Christensen

Ron Christensen | 12/19/09 | 8:18 am
Mr. Rowe,
I truly appreciate your drive toward good hard work as well as products made in America. Your show has been a genuine tribute to the hard working American. After watching your episode covering “original dirt shirts” out of Hawaii I randomly googled you and “work” and found your website. I have “walked around” and checked things out, and wanted to show my support; if only by writing you and saying that yes, hard work should not be the enemy. Additionally, it would be awesome for you to perhaps do a dirty jobs special on all the American made products you’ve seen in your travels. Thank you for what you do and know that there is still American pride in America.

Shawn Iltis | 12/19/09 | 11:23 pm
Mike, You are absolutely right on. I am a retired Navy CB the construction arm of the U S Navy (30yrs) My life has been spent in construction world wide. We as a country have drifted far away from the hard work ethic this country was found on. We would rather contract it out instead of doing the work. As a young man I entered into a Carpentry apprentice program that and classroom is where I learned alot about my trade and then off to the military where I learned the rest.
I have seen our infrastructure close up and personnel it is old wore out and in most cases seldom works, it has been eaten by termites, concrete is falling from our bridges and buildings. We have lost our pride in doing a good job an honest job and being proud of the end result.
I would ask to anyone that reads this, when you finish your job for the day would your sign it and say this was done by (your name).
Mike, I support your mission and love your show.

Van Bricker | 12/20/09 | 6:53 am
I have been preaching this message to my friends and family for years, I am so happy to see you, Mike Rowe, a famous person, telling this message for all to hear. I am a surveyor by trade, construction manager by chance, and work for the single most excellent excavating company that Michigan has to offer. Please keep this message going, I just found this site literally 15 minutes ago so I have much clicking around to see what is new, but this is a very important message. Mike, I will do whatever I can to help this cause and please don’t give up on this.

Gabriel Breese | 12/20/09 | 9:26 am
Thanks for helping give a current and popular voice to work. I do not believe I disagree with much you say at all. I know you have a vested interest with the show and the advertising contracts, but I believe you sincere in your convictions and applaud that you actually voice your opinions. Most in your position would be dancing around the bush trying not to loose lucrative contracts.

Heroes can be laborers, astronauts, or architects. However, they are definitely not that latest slacker on whatever reality show is on at the moment.

Both collars are needed, white and blue. Both need to be shown in the proper perspective and treated as equals in society.

Dirt under your fingernails is a good thing. Even if you have a desk job it is rewarding to build something for yourself.

You can learn a lot from that old man whittling away in his garage.

Hardship and work extend your life. A sedentary life shortens it…..significantly. It is also less rewarding.

Rewards come from more than a paycheck. Seeing the product you made being used, that building you helped erect, or the water you piped pouring from your faucet can be rewards too.

Stout Josh | 12/20/09 | 3:15 pm
Hi Mike,

I couldn’t agree more with your video and the mission of this website. We are seeing the effects of the “war” on work every day as hardworking Americans lose jobs that may never come back. America’s exceptionalism was built by the hard work of our parents and grandparents. I am very concerned that my children will be the first generation that will see that exceptionalism diminish.

I am in the process of buying a business that will depend on the trades to deliver services to our customers. I’ve seen firsthand what hard work and dedication can do for a business and a community.

Thank you for using your celebrity status to be the spokesman for millions of Americans that need help and encouragement right now.

Craig Rozelle | 12/20/09 | 3:52 pm
I got my first real job at age 17 in a mom and pop hardware store that was affliated with a major company. I had no knowledge of hardware or DIY. My boss used it as a “finishing school” for teens and we got our hands dirty with service repairs and actually engaging customers to ask what they needed when they walked in the store. We didn’t just point, we took them to the item. And I learned. Asked questions. And before I knew it, I learned how to cut glass, rescreen screens, repair windows, fix household plumbing, treat surfaces for painting and refinishing, and in general how to solve problems. Some days were manual labor, like hauling 80 pound concrete bags out of storage, but everyday was a new task.

The more I talked to our regular contractors, the more I saw that, wow, these guys make great money, are their own boss, and have more work offers than they can take. It’s the American Dream.

Conceptions about work starts early in life. It will take time to get Americans to rethink work but the best thing is to get to kids/teens early and get their feet wet. It can be as simple as just showing them a list of incomes and telling them to match the job to the dollars, but we also need school guidance counselors to really match up kids with what they WANT to do. A friend of mine was dissuaded by a high school counselor from being a recording engineer, so he went to college for a degree he didn’t want and now he has a home studio and a computer job that is related to going BACK to technical school.

Start ‘em young. Hit ‘em hard.

Mike | 12/22/09 | 7:01 am
We must reinstitute strong industrial arts programs in public education. It might cost in the front end but it would reduce government’s long term costs in how it funds “higher education” with Pell grants and the such. There would be less need for such funding. I’m 60 and in Jr. and Sr. high school I took: metals shop, electric shop, wood shop, print shop, auto mechanics, you name it and I took it. Did I end up in the trades? No. I went to college and earned a BS in business and started my own greenhouse business. My prior high school industrial arts classes proved invaluable in the operation of my business. In addition, it has made me a much more intelligent consumer and negotiater when the tasks that I can’t do myself have to be farmed-out to others. Beleive me, no auto dealer has ever sold me a repair I didn’t need! I know many people that don’t know the difference between a phillips screw driver and slot head and well a hammer is beyond their comprehension. My wife, on several occasions, have given tool boxes filled with tools as wedding gifts. Beleive me, you won’t be duplicating anyone else’s gift if you do this. Love your shows and so does my daughter.
Dan in Minnesota

Dan S. | 12/23/09 | 8:07 am
i am big fan of your show you 100/ right. i love to work with animals. some time i love hard work when it is fun.

Christopher M wulf | 12/27/09 | 3:55 pm
thank you mike you may seem all jokey on tv but you are sooooooo true now

amber | 12/29/09 | 10:46 am
Mike, I first have to say that my family, my boyfriend, and I LOVE your show and we all watch it whenever we get the chance (even if we have seen it already!) My grandfather owned his own plumbing and heating business for many many years, and my father and uncles worked with him while he was in business. He of course retired, and then my father attempted to start his own business. This didn’t work out due to, as you were saying, the lack of respect for “the working man”. He now works for a large propane company and has said for as long as I can remember exactly what you are saying. Less and less people want to get into the trade business. My boyfriend, has been a carpenter with 7 plus years experience and says the same thing. Mainly, I wanted to say thank you for putting out this website. Everything you are saying is true and I really hope that America gets back to the “We can do it” motto, and that there will be more Rosie the Riveters. Once again, thank you, I’m going to check out more of your website now!

Kimberly | 12/29/09 | 6:40 pm
Mike,
I am an italian man of 48 who never got dirty while working: I’m an electronic engineer and I work for a big computer firm as a financial business analyst. I have a wife and two sons, and we never miss your show since the first season, you are my boys’ hero! And about me, I have to tell that your show has had the merit of arousing in me a great respect and appreciation for all those people who do jobs I always defined as “humble” (but I don’t do anymore), but that are so important in making everyday’s life confortable for everyone. And my respect and appreciation still grow more and more with each episode!
And last but not least, I appreciate the educational side of your show: my sons, age 12, always ask me questions about what they see, and why those jobs are so useful. This, in my opinion, is a very good point.

So, Mike, thanks for all and keep on going with your great job !!

Andrea Gentilini
Pavia, Italy

Andrea Gentilini | 12/30/09 | 11:27 am
As a high school teacher, I see us trying to prepare kids for college who are not ready and probably will never be. Four year college isn’t for everyone – there’s nothing wrong with that. We’ve just made it such a focus in our society that kids feel pressured to go even when a learning environment such as that simply isn’t for them. We’ve demonized vocational schools and trade schools to the point that they’re seen as havens for “troubled kids” or “druggies”, and we’re shooting ourselves and our society in the foot in the process. Best of luck in this endeavor, Mr. Rowe! Hard work made America great, and there are still people out there willing to work for a living!

Jaypea | 12/30/09 | 9:33 pm
Mike,
I like your show and your thinking. I am no expert but what I think is that we need to motivate all young people to seek some sort of training beyond high school. Some would go to the traditional college, but that can’t be the only path, some should go to a trade schools, others to specific training with an employer. I think that the trade schools don’t get the attention they should.
I think the trade schools may have hurt themselves because some of them have not delivered the quality they should. If there was some way to improve the perception of the trade school and the quality of the students they turn out and then that might help what you are trying to accomplish.

If you want a good example of a high school program that helps students explore the trades, check out the Walker Career Center at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis. Their body shop class for one is worth checking out.

Good Luck

Garth Johnson | 01/02/10 | 12:25 pm
Mike,

Great website. I’ve long been a fan of yours, but just now found this website – and this is exactly what I have been saying for a long time now. I am a college student, but absolutely agree with what you are saying. The drive by nearly everybody to send everyone to college has two effects that come to mind (for the moment). One is that colleges are dumbed down. the US used to be a leader in education – now my college and my courses are forced to cater to individuals not suited for college. Not everyone learns the same way, and not everyone should be sitting in a classroom. Additionally, like you said, this leaves trade schools with declining admissions every year. One example of the problem – which really (really) is an example of the points you make is in Syracuse, New York (I live nearby and go to school in Syracuse). Syracuse City Schools have a new policy, I’m sure like many others around the country, its called something to the effect of “say yes to education.” What it’s goal is to send EVERY student that goes through the city schools to college. It’s great to encourage students, but to direct them solely to colleges and marginalize trades is just bad. So keep up the good work – let me know what I can do to help.

JC | 01/02/10 | 10:06 pm
Hi Mike,
I was a machinist for 22 years and now I am a stationary engineer. I have 3 sons and I constantly talk to them that in my opinion the trades are the way to go. They also have 2 uncles that are pipe fitters. We tell them that these jobs can never be sent overseas and that these jobs provide good pay, benefits, ect. Also due to the baby boomers that will retire soon there will be great oppritunities for them.
(ex. the railroads). I think that you and all of us that have worked with our hands all of our lives need to let the young people know what good lives they can make for themselves with all of the trades. Keep up the good work and know that all us working stiffs are behind you.
Thanks,
Paul

Paul McGraw | 01/03/10 | 9:24 pm
Mr. Rowe, in addition to dirty jobs, you have a big job before you. After listening to your speech, I immediately thought of a professor at Alfred State-SUNY College of Technology, Leon Buckwalter who teaches the construction trades. Buckwalter is a tenured professor and never attended or has a colllege degree. This is what is needed to increase the respect of the trades.

I’m an architect and one of my favorite parts of any project is the construction and interacting with the trades people. I do respect them and would trade my fat ass from sitting at a desk for their good health any day.

Thanks, Mr. Rowe, for what you are doing –I admire you for it.

Clint Good | 01/04/10 | 6:45 am
I agree with you mike rowe and i am joining your army on the unsafe work and i will try to be safe in my electrical job in 3-5 years i am going to do. By the way i have a ford focus 2006 and i like ford. Thats my first car i bought in my life, anyways i support your video.

James Pickett | 01/04/10 | 6:35 pm
Dear Mike;
I agree with you 100%. This country has gotten lazy. All you have to do is look at the size of people at the mall.
I am 59 years old and doing maint. at a animal hospital.
I have cleaned bilge’s, cleaned out pizza ovens, (dirter than you might think.) Was a welder for 14 years, and a powder coater 9 years before that. (Came home in different colors). The last few years I have felt like the lost son of a coal worker. I want to tell anybody listening that DIRTY WORK IS NOT SHAMEFULL! It is a honorable and NECCESARY part of life! Keep up the good work! (And keep it dirty.)

Brad Drury | 01/05/10 | 9:44 pm
You have hit the nail on the head. My father worked repairing farm equipment and was a maintenance man in a factory; he worked hard, long hours to provide for us. My father said that he did not want his kids to have to do manual labor; I was the one who wanted to work with my hands. I wanted to be a mechanic but ended joining the Air Guard and became an electronics technician. I went to tech school and after tech school took a job for a company that made foundry equipment. I loved that job. Unfortunately in the late 70’s and early 80’s foundries started to disappear. I moved on and did many other jobs in my field. In the past few years I have been back in a profession I love and that is designing, building and installing automation equipment for the mining industry. This is what I would call a great job. I work designing the equipment, program the equipment and then go to the job site and install the equipment. I troubleshoot the equipment and make it work. The fruits of this is seeing the equipment do it’s job, making the customer happy and make the people who will run the equipment happy. You are doing the right thing, you cause is true and should be heard by every kid who thinks that the only way to work is sitting at a desk staring at a computer!
Thank you for this web site!

Mark McElhaney | 01/06/10 | 10:12 am
Right on. It’s so sad to see our disfunctional youth avoid all labor, in favor of becoming another attorney to feed off our litigious society of idiots. Honest labor is good for all of us.

Rick Brewer | 01/06/10 | 4:18 pm
Right on! There is alot of work to be done, though, if we are going to address this crucial issue where it really matters…the school system. Schools are almost required to expect ALL students to prepare for a college education -”no child left behind”. Left behind for what? To receive a college degree. “No child left behind” leaves more children behind than ever before if you count the students that are not college bound! If you don’t meet the required, college bound, educational standards then you won’t be successful in life, so we teach, and the educational system will not properly prepare you for any other options in which to succeed! Because all students will learn our required curriculum that is only meant for students that will be going to college.

Who benefits??? Certainly not the students, or the parents, or the state, or the country. No, the ones that really get rewarded, monitarily, is those institutions of higher learning and politicians that can be bought to support such a notion. Yes, because you see, if we can’t get more and more students to feel like they are unsuccessful if they don’t get a higher degree, then more students won’t come to our colleges and universities. Then, those institutions won’t prosper… What happens to the students that simply can’t or won’t get their high school diploma? Should we punish them? That’s what we are currently doing. They get out into the real world after being in school for 12+ years and have NOTHING to show for…Nothing!

There needs to be a systemic change in the, seemingly required, mind set that we have in our public schools – that we will prepare all students for college only. Congress men and women of each state need to rethink the importance of offering career paths in the public school system and not force everyone into the same “collegiate” mold. We all have our different strengths and weaknesses and we should be able to discover what they are and we should be able to develop those skills that others may not have so that our state and nation can benefit from it. We should be allowed, through public education, to develop our gifts and reach our maximum potential. Everyone benefits…

Nevermind our country. What do I mean? Think about it. If we had programs/vocational career paths for those not college bound, like there used to be, in high schools that prepared students for much needed respectable trades and valuable work skills then we would have our own natural and legal citizens working those highly skilled/dirty and much needed and RESPECTABLE jobs in this country. That would certainly reduce the unemployment rate… It would actually solve some major problems that our highly intellectual, sci. fi. types, and politicians have created. But I’m convinced that it is truly all about the money…and nothing else. What does the bible say about greed?

Keep up the good work. You are on the right path!

Sincerely,
Dan M.
Dean of student services-WHS

Dan M. | 01/08/10 | 12:30 pm
Keep up the good work Mike. You do inspire. Hopefully if you keep chipping away, you will reach todays youth.

I am a big fan and I appreciate your work. I will post this link on my Facebook page.

Thanks, Jerry

Jerry Bee | 01/08/10 | 7:16 pm
You have some good points. I’ve worked since graduationing from High School (Class of 68). I’ve never had a dirty job.
but some tasks have been not as much fun as others.

Rick Fowler | 01/10/10 | 1:08 pm
Mike,
I am a new fan of yours, bringing your total fan base to 13! I just found your website today and I think you are sending a great message to the youth. Everything in today’s society is geared towards encouraging our youth go to college to become office workers, lawyers or doctors, which is fine, but seem to leave out the most important trade jobs such as roofers, plumbers, welders, mechanices, etc. that really make America great. When kids do well in high school, they often are able to go to college on scholarship and don’t have to pay their way. I think it would be good if they had the option to have either their college tuition paid or a trade school tuition covered. The important “dirty” jobs are not being portrayed as glamorous or indicative of a successful career in our society and that is a problem. Best wishes and keep uo posted on your progress with this! Hyatt

Hyatt | 01/13/10 | 7:55 pm
WAY TO GO MIKE! I am going to be listening to you at Cape Girardeau, MO later this month. I was so pleased to see what this website and your mission is. I am an educator in an Alternative setting. We do have some college bound students, which is wonderful, but many of our students are the future laborers of our nation. I educate the brightest young men and women daily that I have ever worked with and am proud to promote and advocate for them through the support and mentoring of them and their goals of attaining educations in technical schoos, internship training, etc. I am often frustrated when these hard working students get “slack” from others regarding their choices not to get a college education. I feel with all of my heart that they deserve recognition and applause to choose to do those jobs that others consider “non-educated”. I will support your cause and definitely spread the information from mikeroweworks with other educators in my area. I am thrilled to see that you thought of us in the upper left hand side of your site. Keep up the great work. i wish you and the team the best this upcoming year. I never miss an episode… you are DVR’ed weekly and my 7 and 5 year old won’t miss it!

Lori Vines | 01/13/10 | 9:45 pm
mike,
I respect what you do on dirty jobs because people need to know that these jobs need to be done and someone out there has to do it. I liked the sincerity presented in this video. I am a big fan and i hope that your website is just as you wanted it as. I think you need to keep doing what you are going!

Christopher | 01/14/10 | 8:12 pm
Hi Mike,

I am a psychology professor at a community college in IA and a private research consultant. I came across your personal website, while searching for clips to show my class this semester when we study social psychology.
This statement is powerful, thought-provoking, and sincere. With the right action plan in place, your thoughts have the potential to effect widespread change. I am passionate about offering the skills and resources I have when it comes to issues I feel strongly about; this is one of them!

Brenda | 01/19/10 | 2:37 pm
Hey Mike, I’am a big fan of Dirty Jobs! I have seen every show and all the deadlest catch shows. I agree totally with your video. I think we should focus on educating the young people in America. I’am a retired builder/carpenter and have made a very good living over the past 35 years. My biggest regret is I did not train more young people in the building industry. For the most part, young people don’t seem to be interested in learning a good skill or trade! If someone reads this and are considering a building related profession, by all means persue it!!! You will not regret it!! Good pay and tons of fullfilment!! Good Job, Dirty Jobs and Mike Rowe..

Rick Gilbert | 01/22/10 | 8:21 am
Hi Mike…my sister and I just watched your video and love it…we agree with your thoughts and ideas on needing more people to be interested in labor jobs and so on. We are also born and raised in Baltimore…Love You!!!!

Diana | 01/23/10 | 7:14 pm
You have the best website on the entire internet! You are doing the right things! It should be required that all government officials visit and explore your site. Also school administrations, school counselors, parents, students, etc. The more who know about your vision the better! Thank you for becoming involved with SkillsUSA, they have been fighting for the same things you believe in for decades. Maybe with your help the battle won’t be as much of an uphill battle in the future. Keep up the good work! THANK YOU!

Dennis Mack | 01/25/10 | 12:38 pm
Hi Mike
Great concept, i am a life long trades person, inventor and radio talk show host for “The American innovator” I will spread the word on my show. http://www.theamericaninnovator.com
Thanks For the great work!
Paul Akers

Paul Akers | 01/25/10 | 10:57 pm
Hey Mike. I just watch your video from labor day from 2008 and i hope after two years have not gave up on your goal. What i think your doing is amazing. What i wish to do is to show you is that you have someone ready to fight with you. I got a link to this website in an e-mail from my teacher from the trade school I go to. I’ve taken 3 class there, all in the electronic/ computer field. My goal is to become an I.T. guy.

You actually have a huge friend here that i think can help you. See i belong to a group called SkillsUSA.You’ve most likely not heared of us. Thats alright. We are the youth of this nation that are in trade schools. SkillsUSA allows us kids in trade schools to compete against one another, in our technical field. Last year i won my regional and place fourth in Indiana SkillsUSA state finals. Yes there is a nationals. I hope you would contact us here. We could help each other.

http://www.skillsusa.org/

Edward | 01/26/10 | 1:25 pm
Mike as a gal from a small town in North Carolina,I can totally relate to your discussion about “work.” My town, Eden, was based around textiles. Hard working people who did manual labor all their life only to have the years of diligency stripped away when all the textile mills closed. I too have noticed auto shop, hvac and other things stripped from high school and community colleges. I would love to see you explore what this generation of parents have decided would make their child “successful.” By the way, 47 year olds rock!

Ella McBride | 01/26/10 | 1:29 pm
Firstly I appologize for any possible language mistakes I might make in the following comment. I’m writing from Poland and English’s not my mother tongue but I hope this won’t prevent anybody from getting my point.

That is really inspiring. From my side I can say I feel that the big problem around the world and in my place is that what discourages people from the mentioned kinds of jobs is that people who do them don’t get the respect from the environment. People around them think that if they don’t smell or look nice or they didn’t make a degree gives a right to treat them as if they were inferior. But if it hadn’t been for those hard working men and women we would all be sinking in our own, forget my language, stuff and litter. That’s what a person recalls of when, for instant, his toilet’s clogged, but amazingly forgets it right away after it’s fixed.
I used to be thoughtless like that before I started watching “Dirty Jobs” and it totally changed my way of thinking. More people should watch it, especially children – to grow in respect towards all honest hard working people out there. It’s really good this show has been made and Mike’s doing a really great work.

Kasia, Warsaw | 01/28/10 | 1:22 pm
Mike, Sounds like what I’ve been hearing in so many words for a long time. Essentially this: 1) not everyone needs, should have or is interested in a college degree. 2) Too many college degree’s are meaningless – ie money spent elsewhere would have been wiser 3) The right of the American child to learn the satisfaction of a chore well performed has been taken away and given to a child in another country where work is still respected for what it is – necessary 4) A well put together thing is part of our country’s history and its what the USA is made of. A fine example of a well put together American thing is the Constitution of the United States & the Bill of Rights attached to it 5) Without the previous we couldn’t be shipping our lively hoods away – we wouldn’t have any to under appreciate.

I could go on. I’ve made the point I agree and I’m glad I’ve found your site. Both my grandfather’s would have liked your show. They were icons. Still are to me.

Don’t give up. The economy, democracy and the USA that was and still is in many areas, needs a spokesperson for work, not just work, but honest work, well done.

When you step out on the plank its nice to here thank you for those your stepping out for, so thank you and get back to work

Ed | 01/29/10 | 8:56 am
This is something that is sooooooo needed. I have been a long time fan of Dirty Jobs because it does show people living their lives and doing jobs that so many of us scorn and these people are HAPPY. They seem to be doing things that they, for whatever reason, take pride in and many go to work every day knowing that they are doing something important to the well being and comfort of the rest of us, or of the other non-human creatures in their care.

I hope this site makes work a good thing again in this country. We need this,

Jane Spaulding | 01/29/10 | 12:09 pm
Mike you are doing a GREAT service to our Country!!!!

You have said what I have believed ever since I can remember. I was born with a screwdriver in my hand. Dirty work needs a degree. A Tradesmen Degree that equals a Phd in prestige. We are all equal,just doing different things. I enjoy working with my hands. I also can work with my brains.

From: An ex- Groundskeeper, Janitor, Handyman, Water Treatment Specialist, Waste Water Technian , Air Control Specialist, Janitor, Asbestos Removal Specialist, Maintenance Person, Maintenance Director.

Now: Office Furniture Systems Head Installer and part-time Motivational Show Promotor & Planner and Great Fan of Yours.

Mike Murphy sfC | 01/31/10 | 8:31 am
I will skip all the stuff about me and just tell you that your message is inspiring and relevant. I will dig into the website and learn more.

If you are ever in Dallas or Austin, Texas, I offer an open invitation to buy you a beer. I sell beer and would be honored to share my “craft” haha with you! There is nothing better than a cold one after a hard day’s work, my friend.

Cheers,
Mel

Mel | 02/05/10 | 2:58 pm
Mike, this site needs to be advertised more.

I agree with you 110%. I live in New Zealand grew up in Australia and both these countries have the exact same issues as America.

I am an electrician by trade and been working in this trade for 25 years.

You are the perfect spokesman for this issue, regardless of qualifications. Your humor and quick wit helps cut through issues.

Keep up the good work for us blue collar workers.

Take care,

Geoff

Geoff Keen | 02/05/10 | 6:43 pm
Wow! Awesome website. Adam Bradley mentioned it on facebook which brought me here. Everyone needs to spread the word. Your sincerity shows Mike…thanks for supporting and promoting the backbone of America. Adams Auntie Char.

Char Siegler | 02/06/10 | 3:50 pm
Mike,
I agree 100% ! When I was in high school we had metal shop, wood shop, automotive & graphic arts but they took away our shops and built a new gym which never made sense to me because I don’t know anyone that has looked through the yellow pages for a basketball player or gymnast ! People have taken the pride out of hands on jobs and it’s pathetic. I blame it on the “velcro sneaker generation” (another sore subject for me ! People ! Teach your kids to tie their friggin shoes ! Anyway, back to the subject… I am proud to have several trades and I will add a banner to my website to help promote your’s so keep up the good WORK and THANK YOU for giving the hard working people that make this country run a voice. -Hank Bagrowski / http://www.TwinMountainMetalArt.com

Hank | 02/09/10 | 7:30 pm
I have seen ALL of Dirty Jobs programs. I admire your stamina, will power, and fortitude to do some of the jobs you have done. The one job you was involved in just recently was at a black bone plant and the “hosts” were just short of being really rude to you. They did not give you any slack at all. I was rather annoyed with them.
I am very supportive of your website about the “common laborer”. We are the backbone of the American financial structure.

Jean | 02/09/10 | 7:49 pm
from michigan ,yep…and try to watch the show all I can…you make me laugh mike…always have to turn my head though with the bugs running across/title of show…HATE THAT…years ago I jumped straight up from my chair. well here it is 2010 and wanted to participate in the survey 5 dirtiest jobs …and pulled up everything mike.com…where here I listened to your video. I can’t believe the insight you had back then and think of all this country is going through..Michigan,,well we got hit and hit again,
I guess the solution is out there. I know people just want to work and prefer a job to gov. checks. My family has always said..in the world there are two kinds of people, those who make messes and those who clean it up.Also want to say that women fall in Love with hard working Men with tough jobs way more than they do white colar guys with tasels on there shoes…and they stay in love. Maybe Main stream media can do something with that.
thats all I got… royaloakmary

mary | 02/09/10 | 8:12 pm
Dear Mike,
Thank you for finally saying what I have felt for many years! I was raised in a house of blue collar workers, doing the jobs it took to raise 4 girls. My dad was always proud to say only one of us aspired to be in college (the term book-smart comes to mind)and the rest of us would work hard. I was also raised with the belief there are no crutches to lean on( I am a 5x cancer survivor, currently battling my 6th round), and have always done what was needed to survive.
I have worked in retail, restaurant kitchens, a hairdresser, bartender/waitress, cleaning houses(hense my nickname “Alice”), and finally a certified medical assistant. My sister had once asked me when I was going to obtain a “real job”…and when asked to define her meaning of a real job, her line of thinking was to sit behind a desk from 9 to 5 with a degree on the wall behind me. Not my cup of tea! I made more money as a bartender/waitress than in all the other professions combined. 16 hr shifts…I have never had a job where you could just leave at scheduled times…can’t remember the last time I was working and ate something when it was still hot! Take a bite and run! I think it is wonderful to see someone such as yourself stand up for all of us “blue collar” people who are NOT afraid to get dirty! I have always felt every person should have to work for one week as a waitress for $3.35/hr and figure out how their $2 tip on an $80 check was going to pay for their kid(s) food, clothes, shoes, medical, etc. They might think twice the next time they are out to dinner looking down at the wait staff like gum on their shoe!!!
Best of luck with this web site, Mike! Yu have my vote!!!

Karen Morgan | 02/10/10 | 9:38 am
I watch your show as often as I can and I try to get others to watch it as well. I have to say you are doing a good job and as for what you said in the video I can say I agree with you all the way. What’s happening with the job market has effected people my Dad who has had just about every job under the sun and yet he is having trouble finding a job. I don’t understand how so many people can complain about a desk job when there are people like my Dad who would be all to happy to clean up other people’s poo and he can’t find a job. I wish more people thought like you, I hope your web sit does well and I look forward to seeing you on Dirty Jobs.

Kaylen Fauls | 02/12/10 | 9:55 pm
Hay Mike, Love to invite you to speak at our Rotary Club in Seattle. Maybe do a little fishn as well. I am a past President of our Club. We are very concerned about the lack of direction for the labor trades in our community. Love your show.

Rick Jones | 02/14/10 | 7:05 pm
Proverbs 22:29
Observe people who are good at their work— skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a backseat to anyone.

Jill | 02/15/10 | 8:30 am
So truly refreshing listening to you! I live amongst many corn, horse, and cow farms. My neighbors consists of the septic/well installer up the street, the road paver and his wife the electrician, next to them is our FedEx delivery woman and her husband who installs HVAC systems. I am was laid off from my job in Dec ‘09 as a dispatcher/office mgr from a plumbing & HVAC company that went out of business after 15yrs of business. I love where I live and my hardworking neighbors. They all promise to “keep an ear out” for me for a job, but they also have the worry of job security. Being s single mom, I applaud you for making the statement for the importance of our blue collar workers. I never understood the idea that going to work in the morning in a suit and heels is a more important job than leaving in levi’s and sneakers. I had a job with benefits that paid me decently…and am now finding it difficult to find employment in a field that I always thought was needed. Good for you for starting this site! From your mouth to God’s ears! Thanks Mike!

Ellen | 02/15/10 | 3:57 pm
BRAVO !! Mike.. Someone finally stopped and took notice. My father raised 10 children until he passed away unexpectedly and right before retirement.. but he did manual Labor his entire life and WORKED)hard and I must tell you. He had 10 children 9 girls 1 boy(youngest)and our life was the most wonderful and fulfilling and happiest childhood anyone could ever ask for and he did “Dirty Jobs” he worked for the city of cleveland waste disposal for almost 30 years!! I want to sound off here in San Diego and start to talk about the people who’s jobs without them this entire country would come to a grinding hault!! I have respect and love and deep appreciation for all of us in this country that may not sit in front of a shiney computer with a clean shirt or dress on and type all day. So much more going on and yes we need to encourage our children to look into all types of work and it’s ok to be a plumbmer, or pipe fitter or a brick layer…ok.. I work for a large bank but I must be honest I only logged onto your site because I think you are adorable and have a huge crush on you!!! But lo and behold I was duely inspired and forgot all about my crush and was so happy to hear about your new mission. Thank you Mike.. you are still a cutie but just as I suspected…so much more.
Evelyn
San Diego, Ca

Evelyn Gates | 02/16/10 | 9:28 pm
I grew up on a farm from a family that came from several generations of farmers and my father’s generation is the first to find work outside of the farm to make a living to support his family. Only one of the six children of my dad’s family is a fulltime farmer (and he’s struggling). It is near impossible these days to find a family of farmers that aren’t on the industrial business, that can support themselves financially without looking for an outside income. It’s sad but true that one of the very jobs that helped build this country is going extinct and soon will be replaced by the big agribusinesses. I look at my father and uncles, and have a great sense of pride not only in their incredible character but also in their work ethic. I’m proud to come where I come from and sadden that men like them might only soon exist in story books. My father and uncles are most likely the last generation to carry on the tradition of farming in my family. I am currently a college student getting my education in Literature but I do have the hope one day to carry on just the slightest tradition that my family has held for many decades, with a little piece of land and some hard work. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your words of support.

Jennifer | 02/17/10 | 6:49 am
Hi Mike,
I just found your site because I noticed that you had included a link to MyWaterPlantJobs.com, our job board specializing in jobs for employees of water & wastewater treatment facilities. To be linked to your MikeRoweWorks.com is an honor! Thank you.

As a recruiting pro with more years of experience than I care to talk about, I noticed this group was under served back in 2007. Since then, with a lot of work and not a large promotional budget, MyWaterPlantJobs.com has become the leader (IMHO) in job postings for these fine professionals and workers.

We welcome comments, suggestions and interaction. Note; we also own & manage SolidWasteJobs.com – http://www.solidwastejobs.com

Best regards,
Phil Collins
Claremont-Branan Group, LLC – A Veteran Owned Small Business
Strategically-Focused Employment Solutions since 1983

Phil Collins – MyWaterPlantJobs.com | 02/18/10 | 10:21 am
What about alienation? Who controls capital? Commodification of labor value? The mythos of production?

Is a commercially funded project even able to approach some of the goals you mentioned?

Sounds like you have a cool idea, but maybe the subject for interrogation and the end objective of this project need some finer scrutiny?

In no way do I have the “right” answers, but perhaps there is more than one way to look at this issue?

Let me know what you think, and maybe we can discuss the issue further.

Thanks,
Seb

Sebastian | 02/18/10 | 3:08 pm
A comment heard in every work place “That’s not MY job”…as if doing extra or alternate additional elements requiring effort were unacceptable. It’s been 11 years now of teaching teenagers what I hope to be an introductory version of a trade. Perhaps darkrooms, enlargers, processing their own film (yes I did say film) is not what most people would consider being a valuable trade. However, with the growing complacency and cell phone text infected youth thinking – in fact almost pushed toward the notion – that a college degree will GET them somewhere…
I hope its no surprise & offers some hope that doing something so simple as taking photographs, processing them, and printing them from start to finish ALL ON THEIR OWN seems to get their interest. The hands-on education has dwindled to art classes, and what’s left of music classes.
The courses that remain are classes with one clear objective “get the students to pass the tests”….& improve our national standings so we may compete as a Nation.

Between the PPST, NTE, SAT, GRE, ACT, and other bubble exams that we have been programmed to pass….its depressing to consider the loss of pride gained from WORK ITSELF -
Rather than scoring well with a number 2 pencil and equating that with career success and a well paying job that requires as little effort as possible.

They have been fed the oddest lie (which continues with the college programs on line/chalkboard lectures – nothing in person) that they can ‘email it in’. Their hard “WORK” given a gold star for wording something well, rather than KNOWING and BEING something.
I don’t mean to sound like hypocrite, after years of college learning myself, but I bring up workshops and internships weekly. Suggesting to them that a certification in a trade will be far more valuable to them than any B.A. in under water basket weaving. My family were all graphic designers and I began as one also. My father teaching me the stat camera…and how to make half tones. It started a life long passion for design, photography and teaching.
Perhaps rather than just complaining about the ‘trend’ in non-trade education…a suggestion.

If other teachers (perhaps even one reading now) would approach one or two guidance counselors in the next month and mention to them this thought = that maybe suggesting to the those students who have been described as “good with their hands” to perhaps try an internship with a local tradesman during their soph & jr years – rather than just taking the summer to pay Halo? A small start, but a mild suggestion.

Also the lecture circuit for high school would be a wonderful place to ‘infuse’ & inspire – esp. since the violence in schools has escalated, the visiting lectures focus on student behavior and treatment of others. Drunk driving videos, you get the idea. What NOT to do, so don’t DO it kind of stuff.

But I have to say after witnessing it in the classroom, there is NO better growth of a students true confidence and pride than seeing them succeed all on their own – with a camera that seemed so confusing when they first walked in the classroom with it. Pride in their WORK is something I hope my students leave with – it doesn’t matter if they pick up the camera every day after they leave – it matters that they were intimidated to learn something in the beginning (other than facts & equations) but then did it.

Here’s to Rosy the Riveter, and all the students who dare to do something OTHER THAN “email it in”.

- Zia

Zia Field | 02/18/10 | 9:18 pm
I was out of the Marines, early 20’s, blew off one marriage already and sponging off my grandmother. woke up one morning and realized I was a 20+ year old drone – worthless.
I packed my seabag and moved off the family property. A guy gave me a chance at hanging glass doors for $70./week, I started the next morning. it was under the table, no insurance, no guarantee but his word. I smashed every finger, wore bandaids as part of my clothes, made it through the first week beat to death…didn’t quit. After the first month, I was bumped to $150. week, and got the best piece of advice I could get: “you’re going to work the rest of your life, you might as well wake up every morning eager to hit it, and enjoy yourself working, or you’re headed for a lifetime of misery.”

I have been injured – back, knees, ear, shoulder… oh yeah, fingers; but have found that if I keep on working through the hurt, it eventually gets better. I can’t tell you how many fellas younger than me have sidelined themselves with, ‘disabling’ injuries that they could have worked through, but chose to ‘harvest.’ They are hiders, whiners, lousy to talk to and they are leading a life of misery.

You appear articulate enough and plain enough to perhaps bring some redemption to work, but in my 61 year old mind, the great need isn’t trade schools, it is heart, breathed into young people one on one by men and women who would rather drink swamp water than beg off because of getting hurt or lamed or bloody at work. What is needed is the sense that your boss is doing you the greatest favor anyone could do for someone else, and treating him/her like you know it and are honored to give them your all. What is needed is a return to being thankful for the God that made you and to enjoying every day as the gift it is; and if you’re not to petrified about it, maybe considering the even bigger gift of redemption He’s given you in His Son.

I started a new job a year ago, outside, fairly clean work…some crawling under or in attics of houses, some tower climbing, ladder work, lifting. The owner, 30 years younger, has blessed me by offering payroll with W.C.
I’m a little slower, but i have a ball every day i get up and ‘hit it.’

All done, good luck.

Chuck Evans | 02/19/10 | 1:33 am
Mike Mike Mike…..just love your show. Its great the way people can see what other s do to keep us going and know the job they have just might be the better job.
Keep up the good work

Judy Burki | 02/19/10 | 10:27 am
$150,000 Thousand a year for being a Plumber, I love you Mike but I’m a plumber myself and there is now way I’ll ever make over $40,000

Jake | 02/20/10 | 5:53 am
Mike- Love the intro. Best of luck with this site and your ideas. We DO need to make people PROUD of the work they do. No matter what it is.

Matt Olesen | 02/20/10 | 3:18 pm
Oh amen , preach it brother. I recently read a book called why doesn’t America work and it says pretty much what you just said. And I am glad some people are waking up and saying it. I love your show. I love it because It makes me feel good it is actual reality television. So many people agree that a job is to put food on the table and a roof over your head but so few people are actually mentally, knowledgeably or technologically equipped to do either of those things they go to jobs that involve tapping keyboards and moving piles of paper around and have no idea what is involved in the actual growing of food and building of houses. I am a nurse so I have both a profession and a trade but the computer has done all it can to make what I do so much bits of data. Now My husband is one of those people you show on your show he is the maintainance guy at a feed mill and if you had not already done a feed mill I would submit him for a show as he comes home every day floured and looking like he’s ready for the fry pan. He fixes our cars and he built our house and grows acres of our food in our Garden we have raised and butchered our own animals for as long as we’ve been married. and if civilization as we knew came to an end tomorrow I would put money on us but the rest of this country I don’t think they would make it. Thanks for keeping us in touch with reality Mike.

Lori MIller | 02/20/10 | 8:39 pm
holy crap Mike did you ever hit the freakin nail on the head man. you described it perfectly in the sentence “We don’t have American icons anymore we have American idols”!!! WOW man for real that was pretty profound. anyway i’ll be hitting this site up often. great idea and awesome job man. by the way love the show and you crack me the hell up. sometime i giggle like a little girl at your sarcasm. LOL

Ryan Fell | 02/21/10 | 12:28 am
Hi Mike you are right on the money I am a born and bred Aussie, and we are exactly the same, if not a little worse here. Kids these days are pushed into University and all of a sudden OMG we have a skills shortage. I am a father of 4 with ages ranging from 28 to 8 years old. Australian schools are tailored to the Uni outcome and not the tradie. We have produced a bunch of educated people with no common sence and no practical skills. Anyway enough waffle from me, great site Mike you are spot on with your comments maintain the rage. Cheers Mike from Aus.

Michael | 02/21/10 | 2:14 am
Hey Mike,
I like your message about our attitudes in general toward hard work.

But I challenge the idea that society arbitrarily determines what a good job is. And that it’s just a matter of swaying the collective opinion.

Good or bad, in today’s society, a “good job” is dictated by the salary that is commanded.

Blue collar job enrollment continues to decline because, comparatively they pay less than their white collar counterparts.

Through economics, the marketplace has told us that they value these jobs less. Hence they are perceived to be less valuable.

Chris P | 02/21/10 | 4:00 am
Dear Mike,
I am so happy to see you addressing this issue. I think that if we want to go deeper into the root of the problem, we need to look at the way that parents are raising their children these days. Father’s no longer make their sons mow the lawn. They hire a lawn service to do it. Kids aren’t forced to get out in the yard and do manual labor. They sit in front of the television. I grew up on a farm, where my summers were spent hoeing weeds out of the bean fields and bailing hay (as a 10 year old girl) for $0.50/hour. (This was in 1987) Kids now days have no idea what it means to really go out and work. Maybe if parents would teach their chilren the value of hard work, we could tackle childhood obesity at the same time. Keep up the good work.

Jessica Schwarz

Jessica | 02/21/10 | 7:46 pm
Mike,
Just found your site and I am in total agreement with you. I have spent most of my life in production agriculture, up until a few years ago when I went into sales full time.
We are on the verge of a colapse of our society in this country as we become more and more dependent on the rest of the world to supply our needs, when we live in the country that can be totally self sufficient! Each succeeding generation is farther and farther removed from the acutal production of the food, fiber, and hard goods that we consume every day.
I believe that your show does tremendous good in showing the dignity, and pride of accomplishment that comes from doing these jobs, and you do it in an entertaining, fun way that everyone can enjoy.
Keep up the good work, and hopefully I’ll run into you on the road again someday (I was staying at the same hotel as you a couple of years ago outside Baltimore, but didn’t want to bother you at breakfast, but have regretted not stopping to compliment you on a job well done ever since).
Thanks again,
Dan Doyle

Dan Doyle | 02/22/10 | 9:31 am
Well said Mike. So many parents/caretakers want their children to get some high dollar education and become doctors and lawyers. These are good careers, however they tend to forget that with out the garbage collectors and truck drivers this country of ours will come to a standstill.

Alison Wolbeck | 02/22/10 | 4:48 pm
I know that I’m getting to this a little late, but here I am nuntheless. I have to say that I agree with what you’ve said. Had to laugh to myself a little as I was listening because this is basicly what my husband says, minus the bigger words. No suggestions or the like at this moment, just wanted to tell you to keep up the good work and we enjoy watching you.

Angel Walden

Angel | 02/22/10 | 11:12 pm
Mike, I own and manage a restaraunt here in southern Kentucky. My parents started the business 38 years ago and I took it over 5 years ago due to their failing health. I watch the news daily and hear about the climbing unemployment rate. I agree the failing economy and the overseas outsourcing of our jobs has been detrimental to our American workforce. However, nobody on CNN, FOX, or MSNBC ever bothers to mention the legions of people who are not willing to do the jobs that are needed. My older employees, and by old I am referring to 40 plus years in age, are my best workers. Any younger than that and they are usually just in the way. I only employ on average around 15 people. About half of those are original employees, a couple even baby-sitted me there about 25 years ago. The other half are floater positions. Meaning they float in for a few days or and then float on out. The biggest complaint is its just too hard a job. Give me a break! I hire teenagers and twenty-somethings that my 50 year-old waitresses and cooks can run circles around. And thats just the ones that can pass the pre-employment drug test. These youngsters are taught not to work with their hands, not to get dirty. They are making every attempt to pull the ROTC programs out of our high schools because the mindset of wanting to serve your country is no longer acceptable. Anyway, I’ve started ranting so I will shut up now. I agree with you 100% in what you are doing. I wish you luck and I hope we can find some way to help you. -Thanks again

Gerald | 02/23/10 | 8:21 pm
Mike, I am so glad a public figure like yourself is taking the time and energy to help change this situation. I can tell you truly care and if anyone can make an impact it’s more likely to be you than some politician. Some of the best reasons to promote these kinds of jobs are too politically incorrect to be spoke of, and they are going to destroy all that made the good ol US of A a place to take pride in, if not addressed. This is a great way to confront it without directly mentioning those things that would offend or “alienate” some people. How can I spread this video via email? I know so many people that would love to see you doing this, and this video would be a great way to promote the sight.
Thanks, Aaron

Aaron Donahue | 02/23/10 | 10:20 pm
Mike – what a GREAT site! I totally agree with everything you have said. My husband is a tradesman – a welder and a fitter for oil drilling companies. His pay is about $35k a year – and he works harder, longer and gets dirtier than anyone I know, and could make so much more with a “desk job” – but he just loves what he does. I commend you for your site, your mission, and your voice for those like my husband – who are proud of what they do, and do it for the love of doing it. They should be more recognized and championed, and I can’t think of a better spokesperson for that than you.

GREAT job, Mike!

Amy | 02/25/10 | 1:46 pm
I’m a Presbyterian minister and I promise my congregation will be hearing this message from the pulpit. I worked many dirty jobs to pay for school (hauling hay, splitting logs, cleaning bathrooms and waxing floors, reverse type printing, airport lineman) and I have a great deal of respect for the tradesmen and farmers who taught me how to do the jobs right. We need to reclaim a respect for labor and appreciation for jobs done well.

Thanks for using your national fame to highlight this.

Mark McDonough | 02/26/10 | 1:28 pm
I highly appreciate this nice and great topic you have provided for us
I am lovin your blog so much
My best regards.

mss | 02/28/10 | 11:27 am
Hi Mike. Along with the disapperance of meaningful jobs which require hard work are the attitudes it took to do those jobs. I see in many young people of today that “what’s in it for me” attitude. Most don’t even respect the work done to build this nation. What ever happened to the technical schools that in my day was an important part of the education process? My mothers home is still decorated with crafts her kids created in grammer school. It is said in these times there is a problem with childhood obesity. I blame that on the accessibility of home video games influencing the kids to stay indoors instead of getting outside and staying active. is modern times and technology to blame. Perhaps, but no matter how much technology is created I have never seen a robot Dig a ditch, lay a cable, or run a farm. Oh I could go on but the idea is that nothing can replace the spirit and pride of hard work and making a living out of being in the trenches. That’s why I like your show. It’s real hands on from the ground up.

Jack Rawlings | 02/28/10 | 4:24 pm
hey mike i am only 13 years old and i know the qualities of working hard,and i believe in this 110 percent!What is this world coming to?

wesley | 02/28/10 | 7:27 pm
Fantastic idea!! I was the Office Mgr in a Body Shop and my Boss would frequently go to Vocational Schools in an attempt to recruit new talent and it became increasingly difficult because,like you said,kids would rather work with computers than their hands. I just recently let go from my Refinery job because a person who would rather sleep than work was afraid that I was going to get him fired for being lazy went to HR and told them I had called him a nasty name(I didn’t) but they wanted to avoid a lawsuit,so they fired me! What a country,he is still down there sleeping for $33 an hour and the guy that used to bust his hump is out looking for work!? At any rate,Great Site,Mike. This could be a valuable to to get the country back to working for a living and I really hope that it takes off. God Bless you,Sir!!

Doug Bevan | 03/03/10 | 9:10 am
MIKE, I am a 22 year old southern by the grace of God good ole boy from Decatur, Alabama. I am writing this to say that as an american we have lost what this country was built on. My father was a fire fighter in Decatur. My paw was a crane opperator for 30 some odd years. My mom’s dad paw shankle retired from GM, all of my mom’s brothers 6 total retired from either GM or Ford. back in their day it was workin with your hands to get things done. Now days its all about going to collage. Look Mike I can do your math and science and all that jive but give me a hammer and a nail, or a socket and a wrench before a damn computer. Eveything serves a purpose but this country was founded on men breakin their backs every day to make a living and they retired and died with the battle scares of every day good ole fashoned labor. I feel like the Decatur City School system failed me in not offering more trade geared classes. They were more worried about high test scores, and not preparing us for the real work cause lets face it not all of us are cut out for Collage. I am going to stop ramblin on but Mike you are the man! I tip my hat and my Beer to you. You are a great American!

Joshua McCulloch | 03/04/10 | 1:35 am
As the daughter of an American hard working man I am totally in support of what you are doing. People have always said to me that my parents were the hardest working people thay have ever known. My dad could always take care of our “dirty jobs” If a pipe in our house froze and broke he got his welder out. And I remember him saying to me one time how he was thankful that he could weld because when it would rain he could still go to work. And I thought wouldn’t you rather have the day off? I am going to tell everybody I know about this web site. We have to get our trades back. I am teaching my kids that the people without a trade are going to be at the mercy of those who do!

Melissa Simpson | 03/04/10 | 12:48 pm
Hey Mike, I couldn’t agree with you more. I have felt and said many of same things for years. Like some of the other comments I feel that not only is work a lost skill, but so are the skills and abilities of the true craftsman of generations before us. Most of which can not be learned in colleage, I take every chance I get to listen to an old timer tell me how stuff used to be or should be done. In closing there isn’t a day I come home from work without getting dirty. Keep up the dirty work Mike.

Sincerly Tony

Tony Parker | 03/04/10 | 10:01 pm
Mike -

I’m glad I came across your website! I agree with you 100%.

My grandfather and father both work hard and are tradesmen (grandfather is retired). I went to college, because they wanted me to have “a better life” than they did, to not have to work as hard. They would have fully accepted me going to a trade school, but I had the “brains” to qualify to be accepted into a high ranking college for engineering. I’m glad I went that route, though I wish I had gone the route of a machinist or automotive tech at the same time.

I just wanted to point out the fact that I agree with you, and I’m on the “other side” of the fence in some respects. I’m an engineer, I’m, “white collar” – and I hate it. I’m one of the few engineers, who enjoy going out onto the work floor, and getting dirty, getting hands on. But my career (short, I’m only 25) has already shown me that America is lacking skill trades than never before.

I can’t even buy a CNC machine, that’s made in the U.S. hardly anymore – and if I can, it is total junk when it comes to anything extra that requires the manufacturer to add. The skill trades are almost gone in this country and it’s scary.

I could rant on about how we need to improve, and should you want to hear my side of the story, feel free to contact me.

I think I offer a different view, being a young, white collar, coming from a blue collar background.

Finally, whether you intended it or not, American Icons like you’ve meantioned are gone, but your becoming an American Icon yourself for the working force. A role you might not want, but a role you are starting to become, and should embrace.

Congrats on your success Mike, and I hope your work continues on!

Matt H | 03/06/10 | 6:30 pm
Great message, Mike!
I don’t understand this “eradication” of “the working class.” People are made to feel they are underachievers unless their hands and clothes are clean and their weekends are free. Politicians across the board keep referring to “the middle class” and by almost every definition (most based on $), most of us are not “middle class.” Only in my forties, I recall my Bronx neighborhood being like a village – buthcer, shoe maker, drug store, produce, etc. A mile or two down the main street, the rotation would start again. No more…long gone…incredibly sad. The working class were the structural and financial backbone of the economy and the country. We need to reclaim that. If not, what will we leave our children & grandchildren?

Rosanne | 03/09/10 | 11:46 am
Love the blog! Great articles make for an awesome read! keep it up!

Markus Holmes | 03/15/10 | 12:59 am
Good Luck Mike, and thank you for defining America’s most threatening problems: Crumbling Infrastructure and destruction of the Middle Class.
Unfortunately, I fear the problems are not reversable; lets hope I’m wrong.
Corporate and Wall Street have a strangle hold on America; and until or unless that death grip is loosened or released, things will not change. In a nutshell, “Bottom Line” is the governing principle driving the powers that be in our country. Corporate and Wall Street have even convinced those hurt most by their practices (consider the Tea Partiers), that those practices are in their (working people)best interests. Rebuilding our Infrastruture and bringing jobs back to America is our only hope. You are correct, absolutely and totally, America is falling apart. Corporate and Wall Street have hijacked the American Dream; the effort to regulate them is facing unrelenting opposition. I believe the loss of respect for “work” that you speak of, is the result of the assault on the working class, and the export of our jobs. I hope you are successful in helping re-energize the work ethic in America.
I’ve been watching Dirty Jobs and Deadliest Catch since the beginning of each. You are a national treasure.

Butch Whitmon | 03/16/10 | 6:11 am
Hey Mike,

Are you a Christian? You are a real likeable and good guy, and i was hoping that inside that great outside of a person was a true and sincere love of God, whose name is The Lord!-(the only true God!) Won’t you take a moment to let me know….i can pray for you and all you want to achieve! If God is in it, it will be successful! Your fan, in Christ, moses

Moses Tracy | 03/16/10 | 6:14 am
Well Done Mike. Having grown up in the trades and made a great life “Working for a living” I applaud this site and am proud to stand as a supporter of the working “Class”

Kudos to you and keep up the GREAT WORK.

Derek K | 03/16/10 | 8:17 am
Mike,
I just found this website today. I have what some might call a “Dirty Job”. I am the Director of Care of one of those “old folks homes” that you suspect Rosie the Riveter is living in. There are many like Rosie that worked through WWII and the Great Depression. My folks have dementing diseases, but the common memory among them is of what they “used to do”. The biggest loss for them is a lack of something to do, someplace to go….a JOB. They have amazing stories to tell, Mike, as I’m sure your grandfather did. I have learned so much from them. It would be a great piece for you to talk to some of these real American workers. The people that put the USA together…literally. They are so proud and have so much to say. And as for my staff and me…we love our hard, sometimes dirty and always fulfilling work. Thank you for honoring us and the folks that we care for…the heart of America…our elderly population.

Niki | 03/16/10 | 9:02 am
Mike, I’m just now getting the opportunity to log into your web site, based on the news flash on AOL this morning, sorry to be late to the party. First off I really enjoy your show ” Dirty Jobs ” you’er a brave man to do some of the jobs you do, it’s the confinded space shows that kind of creep me out…I guess I’m a little clostrophibic.
I like your format to bring out the conutry’s short coming and offer a sounding board for the working men and women of this great place we call home.

Your Truly

Glenn

Glenn Rees | 03/16/10 | 9:10 am
Hi Mike,

I have come to your website and this comment section as a result of the AOL story, so I feel a little like a “johnny-come-lately”. But your words really hit home.

My Mom and Dad were Depression babies and at the ages of 85 & 86 have definitely been part of the Greatest Generation as Tom Brokaw says. They raised me to take responsibility for myself, my life and my own actions. That has included some blue collor jobs.

Over the years I have had many jobs both in the office and on the papermill floor. My favorite and the one that taught me the most about self confidence was the mill job. I was one of the first females hired after WWII and that was in 1974. I was very lucky. My kids don’t have many opportunities to do hard labor to know what they are made of.

As a resident of Shaker Hts, Ohio, the schools are excellent and yet they do not prepare kids for real life unless that includes Princeton or Harvard. Something I have been saying for the past 17 years is that we are not getting our kids ready for anything meaningful or to be self sufficient.

I have a masters in Arts Administration and am a painter. The degree has never brought me any satisfaction other than the knowledge that I could sling the verbal “stuff” as well as anybody else. As an artist, I have considered myself the blue collar worker of the art world. Without the paint and canvas and all of the other materials we use, there would not be museums or galleries. I break it down even further, it’s just some oil and dirt on a rag.

At the age of 55 things bring tears to my eyes easily. Your video did. Thank you.

Jean Koznarek | 03/16/10 | 9:38 am
Mike,
Well, first I would like to say that it is refreshing to see that someone took notice of this issue. I agree that far too often, college is pushed as the only avenue of good employment. When, in essence, its not. I know many tradesman that make more money, have better benefits and are downright happier than many college grads. Not to say college isn’t important. But I think its simple math. If we all have MBA’s guess what the starting salary is going to be. I myself am a tradesman. One that gets the shaft more often then others. I am a professional Mechanic. One of the problems with my trade is everyone thinks they can do my job. Up until they call me, begging for me to “Stop by and take a look”.

As far as “Fixing” this issue, its actually quite easy to do. If you can somehow get 30 million people to do it. And that is force the idiots in our government to wake up and realize that they are giving away our country. Again, simple math states that if the country as a whole is importing 90% of its products and not selling very much to the rest of the world(GDP ratios of import/export) eventually, the country will run out of money. Which, by the way, is the reason we are in the pickle we are now. If enough of us stand up and demand that the government stop globalising the rest of the world and consentrate on us, then, problem solved. By the way, I live in the midwest. An area that has seen what is coming to the rest of the country if something isn’t done.(ever been to Flint MI?) So I wish you good luck Mike. Maybe you can help bring awareness to this cataclysmic problem.

Dan | 03/16/10 | 10:45 am
Hi Mike: I loved your comments about why the 4 year degree program is so coveted while the trades are looked upon as an “alternative”.

Approximately 12 years ago, my 35 year old daughter graduated (with an extra “specialized certificate) from York University, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

She worked as an upscale Office Manager for approximately 4 years and hated it. At age 27 she returned to school and is now a Red Seal Carpenter (the first female Red Seal Carpenter in Ontario).

The work is hard and she has had a tough time with male ostracism and rivalty but she has prevailed and loves the work.

Wishing you all the best. I love watching Dirty Jobs but you really should wear a mask when you are doing some of these jobs.

Trust me. I know how easily your lungs can be damaged for life. I’ve had cancer twice and had the lower lobe of my right lung removed in January 2007 but am doing well now.

Sincerely

Melodie Doud

Melodie Doud | 03/16/10 | 10:52 am
Wow! I think you hit the nail on the head. Thank you Mike I’m going to pass this around to everyone I know.

Scott | 03/16/10 | 9:48 pm
WOW!!! Now thats what we need to hear.Thank you Mike….Thank you.

Nate | 03/16/10 | 10:08 pm
Hey Mike! What you are talking about in this video, is exactly what we are planning to share with the school aged kids of our Child Development Center this summer. We traditionally have a summer rec program that is all about fun field trips, water play and such, but this year, we are taking it to a new level. Our concept is called “Dirty Hands” and is all about showing the kids the “Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe” episodes, then taking the kids to local places here in and around Wichita, KS that do the things that you do in the show. Our goal is to give the kids an awareness that these jobs are not only interesting and cool to watch but they are right in their own backyard. People all around them are doing these jobs everyday. We are hoping to broaden their horizons and look at their community in a whole new way. We’d love to involve you in this,in some way, shape or form, and I’m sure the impression on the kids would have the greatest impact. Would love to hear from you!

BonnieH | 03/19/10 | 11:07 am
RIGHT ON MIKE!!! I’ve worked a variety of jobs in my life from shoveling asphalt on a paving crew to computer tech support in a telephone call center. I’m also a journeyman carpenter and currently an Electro-mechanical technician working on automated manufacturing systems and robotics. I believe I am part of a dying generation that you so aptly described in the video.

I’ve run across all types of people in my career and I’ve found that the older I get, the less I run across people with “old-school” work ethics. It seems the up-and-coming generation wants the “easy”, high paying jobs right out of high school without going through the training and/or apprenticeships needed to acquire the skills needed to keep this country going.

I’ve lost two jobs in manufacturing to cheap overseas labor. I’ve come to the conclusion that the only thing we export from America is money and jobs. It’s time for Americans to roll up their sleeves, take our jobs back and get dirty again!

More power to you Mike! I’ll be watching your progress and spreading the word.

Dave Austin | 03/22/10 | 5:28 am
Mike Rowe you are my Hero!!! I have been watching dirty jobs since season 1. And i am ashamed that it took me this long to find this site. I currently work on a production line making batteries for pacemaker. It is my family history that made your video really hit home. My Great grandfather came to this country from Hungry. He was a violin maker, as was my Grandfather. They actually did all the repairs for Buffalo Orchastra. My father took the buisness in a different direction making plaques and awards. He is the most brilliant woodworker I have ever seen. He lifted a house that was sinking just “making it up as he went”. Well I have come in and out of the buisness not sure what I want to do. I ended up with a degree in electronics kinda still looking for what I enjoy. Last year my father was diagnosed with pancriatic cancer. I had to help him in the shop (which is still in the basement) to keep our family name. I love working with him and as soon as I can will be back doing it full time. My father and I are also trying to bring back the Litto name with violins. We have a lot a work ahead and your video gave me new strength to follow it through. We thank you for bringing light to this issue and think you are doing a great job…..now get back to work….hahaha

Jason Litto | 03/26/10 | 5:44 pm
Mike, first of all I have always loved your show. It’s entertaining and I can see that you really try to learn the job your doing on any given day while having fun along the way. I used to work as construction worker but left for a couple of reasons, one being that I found the soreness took longer to go away as I got older.

I have to applaud you for doing what no politician has done in the country for decades and that’s stand up for the American worker.

Thanks Mike. If your ever in Jersey again look me up so I can buy you a beer.

Bill Doyle | 03/29/10 | 3:14 pm
As a fellow SF, I am a loyal follower and appreciate your story from Kron and http://chroniclesofems.com is truly built after realizing how your shows have really made what we do as Paramedics a part of the healthcare discussion. Thanks again.

Thaddeus Setla

Thaddeus Setla | 04/02/10 | 11:23 pm
Get this on facebook!!!!

Suzie DiTommaso | 04/10/10 | 10:43 am
I love, love, love this site. I totally agree with you Mike. Keep up the good work. Love your TV shows and you are a “real” person looking out for other “real” people and the U.S. A real patriot! Thank you.

Rita (Rowe) Garshak | 04/13/10 | 1:20 pm
Hey Mike, Your show has just recently come to air here in Australia and i must say i love it. Over here we have trade schools teaching everything from mechanics to plumbers to electrictions to hairdressers, but recently with a change of goverments the Trade schools are becoming too expensive for the everyday Australian to attend. Which is a damn shame as over here (and im sure over its the same over there)that unemployment is becoming a generation thing.The children dont see their parents working so with government hand-outs, why should they? Our local High School has a Tech Wing and its amazing what some of these kids can achieve. It should mandatory in every secondary college. Anyway, i,ve my say,keep up the good work and keep on keeping it real. Cheers

Janda Free | 04/14/10 | 6:26 pm
Mike,
great idea! Im a plant manager in the ag business. I just contracted a large plant upgrade to a group of millwrights.
I gave this contractor four days to complete a job during a planned outage. They showed up on site after driving 12 hours to get here, with 3 guys. I was very upset that the contractor only sent three guys to complete a $500,000.00 job in four days. On top of that, two of these guys were only 22, and 23 years old. The lead guy was in his early fourties, but he looked a little tired.
What a shock! i have never seen a more up beat hard working, can-do little team in my life! after four 16 hour days, the job was complete and the start-up was right on schedule. One of the boys is my son. He had his 23rd birthday in the middle of the job. My son learned early on that he loves working with his hands. He barely made it through high school, and we were quite concerned. He has grown into a very respected millwright, that most companies would be lucky to have. I hope he can move on to some sort of tradeschool, but the cost is huge. You know the dilema, hard working, tax payer, honest family man is the last to get scholarships or grants. You see my point? if anyone desrves a break on education, it is someone that will do something productive with it….almost guaranteed.
Any ideas? MMMMMMMM a trade school for hard working, tax paying , naturally skilled people…what a concept.

Thanks

scott herron | 04/20/10 | 5:08 pm
thanks Mike i appreciate what your doing and understand why your doing it
not many people want to skip college and go into a trade
thank you for bringing this to light we need these jobs and we need people who can stand up and say i am a whatever and proud of it it used to be having a trade was honorable
again thank you

Mike | 04/25/10 | 10:54 pm
It was a pleasure meeting and working with you on the Motorola commercial in San Francisco. You made my decade.

Robin Gage | 04/26/10 | 5:01 pm
Thanks Mike!! We need an advocate for the trades. I manage an auto repair center in NJ and we have very highly skilled technicians here. The problems is that they are ages 65, 55, 54, 49, 48, 47, 44, 36, 29, and 24. Not much young blood in the building or coming to the front door if you know what I mean. Young kids in school are encouraged not to take up vocational training and that is a shame. I agree with you that it will come back to bite us at some point in time. Keep up the good work!!

Bob Laurino | 04/28/10 | 2:11 pm
I have 2 coments to start with. First let me say my mom was a Rosie the riviter. Next My dauther 38 year old tells me that this is her #1 favorit web site. I agree with what you have said and I am 60 years old and a welder by trade. There aren’t many young people taking up the trade. I am working at a job that earns between $60 and $110,000.00 a year. Talk to the kids and they say I want to get a job where I can work on the computer making games, movies and so on, WORK that is for dummies.I don’t know $35,000.00 a year in an office or if you are real lucky $75,000.00 in movies. I think real WORK seams good to me.In the welding trades where I am 80% of the welders are from some other country, all the guy’s are good guy’s and are just trying to make a living for there familes but they are on green cards tempory, visas illegal and so on. Our own kids are the ones that are loseing not only do they lose jobs but the money they are making does not stay in this country. In the next few years this country has a lot of welding jobs and other construction jobs comming up, lots of years of work and money for our kids and there kids have a chanse to make a gerat living. We need to keep these jobs for young americans and we need to teach them how to do these jobs. I am proud to say I am a welder I help keep this country running along with all of the other trades out there. I enjoy showing our young people that you can make a good living “WORKING”.

Matt Tinker (American) | 04/29/10 | 6:03 am
Mike,
My first thought upon finishing the video is that you’re probably too busy working to update the video. I hope that doesn’t always remain the case, because the case you make is one of the most important the country faces as the fat and happy continue to lead us down a path to ruin. If we don’t wake up and do something for ourselves, we have no one to blame BUT ourselves. But, I digress – you asked for ideas.

First and foremost, I would offer the observation that you are probably one of the most dynamic speakers I have seen. Part of that is personality, but the most important part is that you speak from experience after experience after experience. The fact that you work is indisputable – millions of people watch the obvious side of that on a weekly basis. What many fail to see is the work it took for you to secure a position where your efforts could be seen by those millions. There seems to be no lack of ambition on your part, which is an excellent example of the message of your video here on the site.

As for “the idea,” here it is: I believe you should tour the country’s school system and bring your message directly to the masses. I’m not a parent, but I know of the challenges they face in accessing their kids’ brains when it comes to helping to direct their futures in any kind of successful direction. The inspiration has to come from the kids themselves, and you would be unparalleled in reaching them in a direct, face-to-face forum. A Q & A with Mike Rowe? I can hear the after-school conversations as I write: “Mom, guess what? Mike Rowe was at school today and he told me I could be a “. . .!” Or, “Dad, I met Mike Rowe today and he explained what your job is and how important it is. Do you think I could be a “…” too?”

I realize the incredible schedule you must have, as well as the pressures it imposes; but having captured the world’s attention as I believe you have, I see this as an incredible opportunity to redirect the attention of America’s youth away from the empty promise of becoming an idol to becoming an icon of a new work ethic that ultimately saves this country from crumbling beneath us. If the rewards that come from that don’t foster personal pride, satisfaction, and wealth beyond money in the minds of the next generation, we’re already lost. As for folks my age (over 50, and the rest is none of your business), decoder rings worked pretty well. . . You could be another Captain Midnight!

In conclusion, you’re doing great work and I watch your endeavors with sincere interest.

Best regards and good luck!

Iain McLennon

iain mclennon | 04/30/10 | 4:27 pm
Hi Mike – Great message! Behind you 100%! Too bad that most people today think the only way to be successful is to go to college & land a corporate office job. My family loves “Dirty Jobs” & you’re a great spokesperson for the working men & women of this country!

Terra | 05/11/10 | 6:39 pm
Mike,

It was so refreshing to hear someone talk about the slow death of the “Work Ethic.” I have feared that we are raising a generation of people who feel entitled, rather than feeling a sense of indebtedness to the country/family/etc. that has offered them opportunity.

My husband and I have recently started an LED lighting company. We do everything from designing the lights to assembling them ourselves. My husband, a Desert Storm veteran, felt strongly that we have an American company as well as American products. We have seen so many products in our industry that come from China and know that American jobs did not benefit from that product. So we have combined two things we can be proud of: (1) a product that saves energy and (2) a product made in and by Americans.

All that to say, I was raised by parents who worked hard their whole lives and instilled in us the value of hard work and the self worth that is the result. So, “here, here!” to your campaign for hard work!

My husband (Buddy) and I enjoy your “Dirty Jobs” program. It’s obvious that despite the difficulties of the jobs, you have fun at what you do. And we appreciate your website and your “call to arms” — well, arms to pick up hammers, saws, shovels, or whatever it takes to get the job done.

Dana Stefanoff | 05/13/10 | 4:36 pm
I must say, you have taken the pulse of America and given gracious candor to our weakened nation.

I highly encourage a Mike Rowe Rebuilds America tour back-dropped with Farmers’ Markets and Trade Schools across the nation. Highlight the working man in his hometown doing what needs to be done.

At a PBR Event in Greensboro, NC a bull would not return to the chute. Instead, it circled towards the judges and rammed the steel fencing about three feet into the stands. The crowd’s otherwise stagnant emotion swelled into a universal gasp as the people rose to their feet.

A lone cowboy on a spindly-legged quarter horse responded with honed instinct and rapid efficiency. In successive motion the duo circled the bull, engaged him, established dominance, lassoed, anchored and yanked him. What happened next still brings chills to my neck. The quarter horse, pulled against the bull and humbled his tank-like stature. For a second there was a delay as the rope grew taught, and with no further hesitation the quarter horse and rider backed down the chute and dragged the bull out of the arena. Cheers from the crowd were deafening.

The young cowboys rode bull for sport all night long. The people gathered to watch the sport because it represented something real and gritty from our proud American heritage. One cowboy, an old-timer, sat quietly on his horse, watching, waiting and knowing… inside the arena of sport, without invitation or announcement, real life can steal the show.

Mike, I honestly hope you will consider a tour. Perhaps even demonstrations at Farmers Markets and Trade Schools.

If I can help, let me know.

Sincerely,
Joshua Hendry

Joshua Hendry | 05/15/10 | 8:12 am
Two simple words….Right-on! Been saying this for years….now-a-days so many don’t want to do the Job…been doing it for 35+ years and still get a thrill from a challenge…

Dwight Jennings | 05/18/10 | 1:52 pm
I agree with you we need to keep jobs in America an I understand why you did dirty jobs but you are looking at the little picture. I am a Merchant Marine an we are trying to keep the Jones Act if you want to help keep American Jobs look into that that way we can keep coastwise shipping American an i don’t expect you to look at it but i like my job an i don’t want to loose it to some NON AMERICAN cause they can do it for 2.50 an hour an not have to required to keep the same safety standers that i have too.

East | 05/22/10 | 10:31 pm
Right on Mike. I have always been a fan of your show and was surprised when I went to Sarasota Architectural Salvage that you were there a few months earlier. I was a handy man since I was 12 and built a apt. under our stilt house with my father, but growing up in FL lead me to go to Sarasota Technical Institute and become a Marine Mechanic and I now make more money than anyone my age here. While I do work in the sun and heat I love to work on the water. It is great and I wished somebody pushed me sooner to go back to school or there was even a option in high school to do the same program.
The modern Ideals of Work have ruined this culture and the dream of a cushy AC job needs to be left for the elderly.

We are Men.
It’s time to Man Up.

Bill | 06/05/10 | 10:34 am
Consider partnering with Tom Silva from this Old House – he has a very similar concern. Also, there are some great organization throughout the US that are training at risk kids to take up trades. One that I am aware of is Youth Build. Maybe you could mention them on one of your shows.

Joe | 06/10/10 | 9:45 pm
AMAZING
We have HUGE problems just like these in Australia(suprise suprise) and we really need someone like you to be a voice. We own our own business and it is a labour intesity job…can we get help….NO!!!! People cannot or do not want to work or are encourage NOT to be tradies(as we call them) any more. We love our landscaping business and are always trying to get people to get involved…not happening! Encourage our kids to follow THEIR desires and to believe it is also OK to NOT go to University and for governments to inject more money into training people for these trades
You are fantastic Mike

Joanne | 06/19/10 | 5:16 am
Very well said mike, I’m very suprised to see this in this day and age.
I”m 20 yrs old, I have two assc degrees, one in business and one in diesel technology. Yes I work on diesel engines.

I’ve worked for Cat on coal mines in Wyoming working on there very large 793c-797 haul trucks. Lovely economy got laid off. At the end of the year I’d been making 112k a year, can you imagine that fresh out of college 18 yrs old making 24 an hour for 10 hours and 4 hours of 35 on my long shifts, which is how you get the 112k total.

I went from making 6.25 an hr at a tire shop in HS to 24 an hour. I was going crazy.

Ive worked on Gen-sets, and over the road trucks also.

My father is master carpenter, jack of all trades, i remember running around home developments when i was kid, being a go get it for pops.

His father, my grandpa was a mason, we all inherited farm land, My grandfather had many acres and ran a ranch on the side and later on in his life full time.

My father did the same until the last decade or so, became to costly.

When I was in HS, ya albeit not that long ago, but if you wanted to do trades, even in a small farm community, you viewed upon as a druggie or scum, or just plain wrong.

What I’m trying to say is hard work is so demonized now. I couldnt work in a office, just couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t feel worth of work clicking keys on a keyboard just isn’t work to me. As it may be for others.

I go to work early in the morning, or late at night depending on where I work, I work 8-16 hours if I want over time. Sweating prefusely, working hard getting greasy, but at the end of the day, I worked I feel good, in my industry, I work on someones big rig, thats there lively hood. I get it going, they make money, moving goods like the oil I put in there trucks or produce. While my service may seem small. If there wernt technicians out there this country would not be able to survive. Someone needs to drive those trucks, someone needs to keep those trucks going, farmers need to make produce to put on those trucks, to feed those people of this country.

Technicians are dwindling in this country, out of the few shops ive worked at, not many guys there where my age or even with 10 yrs of my age. We need more techs.

While I may be laid off, the economy is in a real crappy way, my profession its very hard to get a job being under 21 (DOT regulations) I still everyday, get up, take care of my farm like every other day, and go work on two older siblings farms, brother siter, one 10k acres another 35k acres. checking fences, feeding cattle, Keeping equipment going. Fixing stuff around the house, plumbing electrical, carpentry, welding.

Think kids today, should work and enjoy it, I’m not talking about burger hut, go out to a job site, put in a good days work, even if one day, take the bs the guys are gonna give you, everyone has there getting crap time but its all in good fun. You’ll make the big bucks. Trust me.

Anthony

Anthony L | 06/20/10 | 11:00 pm
Great job Mike. Keep up the good work – can you publish your inspirational sayings or sell the posters? I’m talking about the show you did in the empty cubicle/office building – loved it! I work with dairy farmers and taught at a 2-year tech college for several years so I support your effort.
I always wanted to do a PR campaign with my students – maybe you can do it. The thought is to start the ‘commercial’ by saying “We Are…” and let the students describe some of their personal attributes as they relate to their future jobs. Some examples would be – driven, intelligent, hard working, responsible, eco-friendly, animal lovers etc. And remind Americans that farmers are their neighbors, relatives and friends – not big business! I’d love to help any way I can – you’re an inspiration!

Sarah Daugherty | 06/28/10 | 2:25 pm
My husband is a broadcast engineer. As he says, “he fixes their broken junk.” He learned the skills at a technical high school – which has since been leveled and been replaced by an aquarium. Great, eh? Now he has trouble finding folks with the basic skills needed to help, you know, fix the….(By the way, I’m a “college” graduate that has a lot of knowledge and no real skills!)

Anyway here’s an idea you can take or leave as you choose…perhaps as you’re doing the dirty jobs you can have the folks you’re “helping” talk more about how they got there skills and what they need in folks they hire. Right now there are a lot of folks out of work. If enough folks start filling up the trade schools that are left, there may finally be a realization that more trade schools are truly needed (no disrespect to aquariums intended). I know you already do some of this, but maybe a little more will wake up the masses – and the folks needing these very important, dirty jobs will start demanding (of our government) more concentration on these types of schools being built while we still have a few good people left who can teach the trades.

Sorry for sounding off so loud and long, but I’ve waited for the right place to say this.

Susan | 06/30/10 | 2:47 pm
Mike,
You hit the bullseye. I couldn’t agree with you more. I would like to be in the front lines of change. I think you are sincere.

Raymond Scannapieco | 07/01/10 | 8:51 pm
Brother what are you doing on here? Oh, sorry, I have a brother named Mike Rowe. He works in the asphalt paving business, or you could say, blacktopping driveways eg. dirty job. Michael Lee Rowe, Brownsburg, In Some of his dirty job is calling on customers to give estimates from his advertising. This is the hard part of his dirty job, giving an estimate. He has been in business for over 20 years and a lot of people associate him. in Brownsburg, with you, of course.

You have a wonderful idea about the core of this country. Since this is my first visit to your site I will read on and see if there is anything I can do to help! Sincerely, Michelle Elizabeth Rowe Ooley, Indianapolis.

Michelle Ooley | 07/03/10 | 6:55 am
Keep up the good work Mike, I never miss a show

Joe – Middle Village | 07/11/10 | 5:55 am
Full speed ahead Mike, you have my working support!

Gary B of NC | 07/11/10 | 12:18 pm
Looking in simple places first always helps me. It seems simple that the trades are a very tangible means that can serve one’s desire to both connect with a lost sense of value and fullfillment or simply serve in discovering the joy in work that I believe you are discussing here.
An enchanting content placed in the appropriate context along with a compelling catalyst to engage the audience are a good start but the inward journey is where everyone has to go. Good mentors help too but maybe that can be constructed online.
Like others, I find myself interested in your mission while abiding in a simular place with my own pursuits and hope to have more to share as I move forward.

John Powers | 07/12/10 | 10:24 pm
Mike,
My son is a 4.0 student that is entering his senior year in high school. I am in the “employment industry” and hire people for other companies. Many people that I am sending out for work (even for temporary work) are college educated with degrees; however, they are unable to find anything. They are standing in line for minimum wage jobs that offer full-time employment. I am at a loss as to what to suggest my son pursue in education. Thankfully, we have taught him the value of work; although, he does not love it….he is a hard worker. Thanking you in advance, Lori

Lori | 07/13/10 | 7:48 am
Mike,
Thanks for the insight. I have been a tradesman for 27 years in the Acoustical specialty side and am constantly witnessing this on a regular basis. I look forward to getting regular updates on this site to see how we can attract future skilled labor.

Dave G | 07/16/10 | 7:56 am
Mike, I totally agree. We have to have a very serious conversation about the value and usefullness of the typical Bachelor’s degree in Business (or whatever) vs. the value of performing a skilled trade. We also need to have a LONG conversation about the typical happiness level of the unskilled or semi-skilled workers, who are expected to give their lives over to total boredom for thirty grand a year (or less). We live in a society that values money and status over people. That is what you describe as the “war on work” — we are destroying our people through exaggerated need for profit. We need to have a conversation about all of these issues.

Lisa Espada | 07/18/10 | 8:31 pm
You’re right on the money, I am a refrigeration contractor and my son is a Lineman. Both in the trades and can’t believe how hard it is to find people that want and know how to WORK. I like your show and I like what you stand for. Keep up the good work.
Steve Newbold

Steve Newbold | 07/19/10 | 10:56 am
Hey, Mike.

I love this idea. I live 2 trades jobs every day. I fix musical instruments all day, and sharpen tools and knives in the evenings and weekends. Thank you for letting people know that we are out there, and we need more of them.

Mark Madden | 07/22/10 | 8:10 pm
Mike,

Great site. Great mission. I have a desk job. I never thought I would. I can’t complain, though. It is a good job and I support my company’s mission of helping companies mange their workforce. I do often miss the hands-on work of skilled labor. In college, I worked for a few years with a construction company building custom homes. I strangely delighted in the symphony of hammers all day long as we laid a sub-floor or framed up one story of a house. It was therapeutic.

I know tools and hard labor are not for everyone, but it seems many of the people I know stray away from it. They are afraid to try or don’t think it is worth doing. I applaud your efforts and wish you luck.

-Mark

Mark | 07/23/10 | 1:12 pm
Thanks Mike,
I have been saying for a long time now that America cannot afford to lose our skilled trades. The problem is we as a nation give too much respect for a piece of paper (aka The Degree, education) then we do for actual knowledge (i.e. a skill or experience). We need to instill more respect for the mechanics, welders, plumbers, carpenters and other skilled trades in our children.

Paul German | 07/26/10 | 3:44 pm
Dear Mr. Mike Rowe (Works) Show- I thought your video was great. I love your show Dirty Jobs. Come work at anywhere. sometime & don’t think that’s a dirty job either. We all have committed to one time or another that “our job” is a dirty one. It’s true that the computer & college took over the manual labor jobs on this planet. Maybe we ought to be looking for “green jobs” too. It’s too sad when we all become anti-social; because of the computer. Oh well, you look like you’ve got the right answers. I tried a couple of years back to get one of those jobs you are talking about. Before the last economy crash. No one was hiring in 2007 & 2008 for those type of jobs, even then. Good luck trying to get America off their ass & into this type of job. See ya!

Chris White | 07/27/10 | 9:37 am
Mike: You are speaking the truth–the “dirty” trades have taken a hit, courtesy of the media and folks’ perceptions that anyone not white collar is surely a lesser person. As a Work Study educator in a school system you would recall first hand, I am fighting the good fight every day to get students to look at apprenticeship programs…or even consider joining with local employers who offer career paths in viable, worthy careers that won’t result in corner offices. My biggest challenge is getting the kids to look to the future and to commit to getting their hands dirty. That said, your website will be a positive influence to change mindsets. I would suggest that you develop video clips that show apprenticeship programs in action…and what the pay off will be in both job satisfaction and in career stability. Your voice will carry–mine too often falls on metaphorically deaf ears. Additionally, keep the local opportunities page updated….I’ve already accessed those program websites!

Thanks for caring and for your efforts!

Chris | 07/28/10 | 10:35 am
You go, Mike! I completely agree with you. I love “Dirty Jobs” and I’ve always loved your attitude! I am a complete fan! Thanks for your efforts to get this country moving BACK in the right direction. BTW–There have been three plumbers in my family, and NONE of them have had that plumbers pants so “cartoonized” by so many. I am PROUD to say that my father was a plumber, and two nephews are currently plumbers–and making a good living supporting their families. Can’t wait to see and hear more!

Susan | 07/30/10 | 11:26 am

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