Any other educators here?

[ckoster]

I'm a teacher and I'm always trying to promote trades at my schools. We do have a small career investigation that we do. We use "College In Colorado." (http://secure.collegeincolorado.org/.../_default.aspx.) It helps kids decide that they like and what they would be good at. It is a whole website dedicated to kids starting at 6th grade to help them after high school. It is adding more about trades all the time. "Discover Your Skills" is a fairly new website (http://discoveryourskills.com/) that is kind of a link between MRW and Discovery Education information.

I would also be talking to trades in your community. Most of them are more than willing to help out educators. Here we also have "Construction Career Days" (http://www.agccolorado.org/education/career-days.html).

Another great thing to do is to start a club. We are still in the process of doing that but I do know of another middle school that basically has a skilled trades club that decides on a project for the year and they build it. I think there is still tons of room to grow in these areas by creating a curriculum that is specifically targeted to these topics, especially geared toward middle schoolers!!

[RAM]

I think what you're doing is really great! There are still many kids interested in skilled trades, some are very passionate about it. Don't forget the parents when promoting skilled trade education. Many times the parents are the road block to their children's interest in the trades.

I'm interested to know how your school counselors are reacting to this? Usually, aside from the parents, these folks are another big obstacle in the road to a skilled trade career.

[ckoster]

I'm interested to know how your school counselors are reacting to this? Usually, aside from the parents, these folks are another big obstacle in the road to a skilled trade career.[/QUOTE]

If that question is directed to me, our school counselors and admin. are very supportive because they understand college is not for every kid. One of our counselors' husband is a general contractor so understands the bigger picture. Our school district is mostly focused on college-prep to a fault.