Guest View: The hidden gem of learning a trade

I am in favor of the recent passage of bills by Congress aimed at improving our rapidly disintegrating infrastructure. The failure of so many previous administrations — both Democrat and Republican — to address this growing problem has only compounded the need.

Having worked in various areas of the construction industry, I understand most of the process that will take place to get these infrastructure dollars into projects and finished structures.

There is one problem that needs to be addressed before the first nail is driven or wrench turned and that is finding the trained workforce to do it.

This is not a new problem.

Thirty years ago, a subcontractor association I was affiliated with had developed a video to recruit graduating high school kids and interest them in becoming skilled construction craftsmen. This was carried out in an area where many graduating high school kids were applying for jobs at fast food restaurants and landscaping companies. Others were joining the armed services as a way of getting out of the dead end they found themselves in.

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Few realized today’s construction workers have real possibilities to get some valuable training, make a decent wage and raise a family without depending on food stamps. The key to all this is providing the training to make this happen, not just looking at ribbon cutting as the ultimate goal.

In a world where there is no shortage of work, how is it so many are unemployed and feel they have no future and riot against society? Countries with relatively high employment rates don’t have many riots. Seems like a no brainer.

Many jobs in “the trades” pay very good wages after a fairly short period of training and experience. Think about what you paid to have your last water heater or air conditioner installed. The crane operator working at the University of Oregon erecting new buildings is trained, certified and takes home a nice paycheck. A wide variety of opportunities exist.

Federal, state, county and city administrators need to work with trade organizations, like the American General Contractors Association, National Women in Construction Association, as well as various subcontractor associations representing the needed skills. Also, many unions need to spend some of this recently approved funding.

Thirty-five years ago, North Carolina created educational programs all over the state and involved potential employers. Workers in areas with no jobs took advantage of these opportunities, got off of welfare and eventually paid taxes. The programs were successful.

Here in Lane County, our community college seems to be prepared with a wide variety of technical courses. Infrastructure funding should be available to help pay for the necessary tuition and course fees for some of this.

Along with the ongoing efforts to get re-elected in coming elections, our legislators need to create an atmosphere of cooperation between these various groups and get the educational ball rolling. These things don’t happen overnight and they will take coordination. In Oregon we have Rep. Peter DeFazio, and Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden to thank for voting for these funds. With a little urging from their constituents, I believe they and our state and local legislators can determine where this money is spent. It’s up to us to help them make the right choices and not waste it.

It will also take effort from our schools and parents. Not every kid is cut out for college. Not every family is ready to take on student loans of $50,000 to $100,000 to get a college degree that may not provide a job that can help pay that down over 15-25 years. My sister-in-law is struggling to pay off her $70,000 loan to get a degree as a special needs teacher.

So, thank you, Congress for its overdue approval to fix our roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, etc. Make sure our labor force is available and ready when the plans are drawn and approved.

Let's build something.

Ted Ledgard was involved in the civil construction and engineering fields for more than 35 years. He lives in Eugene.

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This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Guest View: The hidden gem of learning a trade