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Why is it that no one wants to work with their hands these days?
According to Sean McGarvey, President of North America’s Building Trade Union, in the Huffington Post he writes, People have been driven away from blue collar occupations over the past few decades because people have lost respect and made judgments about individuals who these jobs. Americans have been quick to develop a view about someone’s intelligence and worthiness as a human because of the profession they choose. The pay they receive can barely support many of these workers, additionally driving them away from the occupation.
In today's day and age, no body seems to grow up saying they want to become a plumber or a carpenter. A lot of it is because of the fault of recent generations giving a bad reputation to people who work with their hands. Construction and blue collar work is the reason our country is where it is today. Whether it was the building of homes or the innovations through electricity, we live the life we live today because of those who decided to work with their hands. It is important that we bring back respect to those who work in blue collar work.
Arguably the main reason why people don't want to work blue collar jobs is also because of pay. Today, a construction worker can’t just sign up for the job hoping or expecting to be skilled and ready to work. Individuals have to complete technical work(in the classroom and workforce) to become skilled in the profession they have chosen. After this, many of blue collar workers come to find jobs with salaries that hover near the poverty line. A laborer who works 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 52 weeks makes $27,000. The poverty line is $24,000 meaning these individuals are hovering right at the poverty line. In addition, they have no time to take off work, or add significant money back into the economy. This pay is what gives these very skilled individuals such a bad reputation.
It is no reason why companies are having to advertise open positions for plumbers. Something needs to be done to get people to fill these jobs. How do we create a true, richer sense of America which involves respect to the wide range of jobs and professions all around us?
It is no reason why companies are having to advertise open positions for plumbers. Something needs to be done to get people to fill these jobs. How do we create a true, richer sense of America which involves respect to the wide range of jobs and professions all around us?
