Hamida Ghafour is project curator of the WorldSkills Museum.
Dancers perform during the opening ceremonies of the 2009 WorldSkills competition in Calgary in September, 2009. More than 900 competitors from 52 countries competed in 'the Olympics of skills and trades for young people.'The men and women I meet in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia are the unsung heroes who build and run our world, from the traditional – carpenters and welders – to the cutting edge – mobile robot engineers and network cabling technicians.
My high-school teacher’s kindly face came into my memory’s focus, encouraging me to take part and lending me a Pentax SLR and some rolls of Kodak film .They were nerve-racking days, being surrounded by hundreds of equally anxious teenagers. There was the acrid smell of the chemical bath and the red-tinged light of the dark room. Then elation as I walked to the podium to receive the medals.
Many may be surprised at the innovative nature of the skills on display. But it is critical that skills be recognized and valued in our current uncertain economic climate.Employees work on the SeaDoo assembly line at the BRP plant in June, 2014, in Valcourt, Que. Vast swathes of the economy are at risk of automation, including many manufacturing roles, heightening the need for young people to be educated and trained for the jobs of the future.
GlobeDebate I think far more kids are being encouraged into trades than when I was young. Trades make more and less time to get trained,
GlobeDebate Trades - make money, contribute to society University - go into debt, get indoctrinated to socialism, lash out at society. 🤔
GlobeDebate That's where the demand is so it should definitely be considered. Why would u get any degree if there is no demand for said degree?
GlobeDebate If young people don't change their attitude towards work, value of teamwork & learning to see beyond themselves, then having a university degree or a skilled trades diploma won't really make any difference other than the amount of student loan you have to pay back after.
GlobeDebate This is not new advice. I've been hearing this since I was in high school in 2003. I have a friend who is in the trades and he hates his life.
GlobeDebate Cannot like and RT this enough. Universities are fast becoming a propaganda machine for the far left socialist wing. Most faculties are a complete money scam ripe with ideological poison and little substance to contribute to a decent paying job in the real world.
GlobeDebate Strongly agree- skilled trade jobs cannot be off-shored.
GlobeDebate Get a Trade back it up with some business education who knows where it will take you.
mini_bubbly GlobeDebate How do you instill the aptitude toward the skilled trades into one contemplating a career in IT or the standard, the manager.
GlobeDebate When i tried to find my apprenticeship for tailoring there was none in canada. Only cooks, carpentry and electricians. That red seal should expand every year to other trades. I did find a master tailor as my teacher. I’m grateful.
GlobeDebate They don’t like dirty trucks, dirty pants, dirty unions, dirty associates, dirty hands. Those who do like making 💲💲💲💲
GlobeDebate Trades are not emphasized in schools. Still a mindset amongst many councillors and teachers is to send them to university yet many will find success in the trades
GlobeDebate Every skilled trades job in this country, requires a valid drivers license and clean drivers abstract. So, every young person is going to need to own a vehicle and insurance BEFORE they get a job. Good luck with that 'Young People' the liberals want you taking 'Public Transit'.
GlobeDebate Trades suffer tremendously under the liberal party of Canada. More young people need to vote conservative first to create these great opportunities.
GlobeDebate Want more people in trades? Start by giving tradespeople the same respect we give Wall Street types and pencil pushers
GlobeDebate Good idea! Yet Canada has no good programs for skilled trade combined with aprentisship, and colleges for skilled trades have relative stiff tuition fees. Learn from Germany for instance!
GlobeDebate Great idea because it's very hard to find good, reliable trades people these days. Show up to give a quote and you are better than 80% already.
GlobeDebate I wonder what skilled trades will be available in the near future when machines start replacing them? Or would employers pay them well enough to earn a decent living?
GlobeDebate yes..many people come out of university with no job but only debt.. some have PHDs and drive a taxi...university can be impractical.. go for trades.. tuition is cheaper and come out employable...
GlobeDebate I used think it is a better choice for some students, then I found out how corrupt and controlled the trade unions are be insiders.
GlobeDebate I like all the negative replying to this. Because no one ever needs a plumber, electrician, roofer. Only issue is to get High School administrators to realize this. Since I was young I've believed schools get paid off to coax kids into college even if they don't want to.
GlobeDebate If you like poor working conditions, fighting for a place to go to the bathroom and eat your lunch, breathing in dust and chemicals and welders smoke then sure go for it.
GlobeDebate Uh ya
GlobeDebate No..