Mike Rowe testifies before US Senate about the skilled trades

[InDeAskY1]

I'm grateful Mike puts a spotlight on these hard working people. It's really a sad state when people forget that without these dirty workers, we would, literally, be up to our elbows in poo and refuse.

[InDeAskY1]

@InDeAskY1 Why is Mike Rowe not president? I think he would've done a whole lot better with our country compared to you-know-who.

[Animetechnofreak4724]

I am always amazed as a teenager that there is not more focus on career and technical education in schools now. I am a 4.0 student and I take 2 career tech classes and they are the most difficult for me to pass and get an A in. They challenge you to think about what you are doing rather than memorize something you are going to eventually forget because it is unimportant. Vocational education is the key to a more skilled workforce. It teaches you a strong work ethic that if I don't get this proj

[TheJoeLorenzo]

Mike Rowe for President!!!!!!!!!!!

[MrGotanyjunk]

I'm 30. I operate a power plant making electricity. I am thankful that I "grew up" just before the time when cell phones were commonplace and not a "necessity of life" for young people. I watch teens now who can't be bothered to pick up a tool and try to fix something and have no interest in finding out how things work and getting dirty. I watched a 15 year old boy try and take a hose clamp off with a flat screw driver. It was pathetic. This is why there will always be skilled worker shortage.

[MrGotanyjunk]

@MrGotanyjunk Put down the cell phones, pick up your eyes and take a look around (especially teens). You will find that learning to fix or build something yourself is an extremely satisfying feeling....not to mention a bonus to the bank account.

[ericonline73]

While I'm going to school to be a lawyer, I'm most impressed by Mike Rowe and this dialog. He really hits the nail on the head. Why isn't he running for congress or president?

[stickman875]

Mike is one the of the greatest person i have ever had the pleasure to meet

[Master7086]

I would like to know who the 6 people are that disliked this... seriously???

[tphipps2009]

I have spent 2 years trying to hire Tool Maker trainees.

I run classifieds and get almost no reposnse.

[pietervegas]

18,000 a year isn't much



[tuffk]

 Well said, Good Job Mike , Thank You

[union103tinner]

Mike nailed it. I am a union sheet metal worker and could not agree with him more. As a PROUD journeyman I take many classes for new skills or training. He is correct that people don't think it is as "valid" as a degree. I haven't figured out why history,social studies,and "electives" are required since you have spent the last 10 years of school on them. 2 yrs ago welding was removed locally from H.S. Now due to demand they are bringing it back. Skilled labor SAVES money and keeps U.S. Jobs.

[vulcanrich]

When you have a never ending stream of unskilled labor pouring into the country from all sides, and willing to work under the system for half the money. Skilled labor like myself will die a slow and painfull death. Simple econimics really, two idiots for less than one professional, work gets done twice as "fast" making the boss more money. RIGHT!!!

[CSXRockford]

@vulcanrich That is A problem, but its not THE problem, As mike said , everyone nowadays thinks their little johnny who can't tie his own shoe at 15 needs to go to college, Not everyone needs a college education, manual labor to the majority of folks today is a dirty word. We has a male population nowadays who can't even change their own oil or even the flat tire on their car. Its a sad day.

[kenpyland]

Joined the Army in HS;served 8 years. Got home, went to the workforce commission; said I wanted to learn a trade. Had a job that afternoon @$7.50/hour as a helper. Now a master plumber teaching MANY plumbers; but that's just on the side. I manage multi-million $ projects for a major US city. The "Artsy" stuff. It's me, 3 architects, & an industrial engineer on team. I make GOOD money. Cruise when I want. I got that helper job 19 years ago. Mike's right and my kids are starting to see the light.

[susancrazee]

I am going to college, I plan on being a secondary level teacher, and I do feel that blue-collar workers are very underappreciated and devalued in our society. I feel everyone can succeed in life, and that success may not include college.

[SnarkyGirly]

Mike Rowe for President? Sounds like a good idea to me.

[vegasfordguy]

Mike Rowe is great! I agree with him and think he's trying to do a great thing.

[cartoondude69]

My son went to welding school and then became an apprentice worker in the water department where we live,I went to trade school and became a truck macanic and then learned how to make artificial limbs and custom body braces,a job that I did for over 30 years in a VA hospital.As my mom always said we will ALWAYS skilled laborers.

[atckaveman]

Well said Mike Rowe.

[JMFitter]

Eloquent and down to earth; Mike Rowe has put in a nutshell what it means to be a craftsman. Unfortunately the average person literally has no idea of the commitment to hard work and training that's required to achieve Journeyman level in a trade; or what that means when it comes to the safety, health and welfare of the average American family. Thanks again Mike.

Thank you Mike, Mr. Rowe. Though I've only been in the trades for 23yrs

[evny07]

Thank you, Mike, for acknowledging us trades people. Not only are we highly skilled and educated, but we are essential. We are not the ones that watch or dream about it, we are the ones that get things done.

[dircksenc]

Once again, Mike did the dirty work and addressed an issue that most people wouldn't do. Not to mention that it was in desperate need of addressing. Keep up the dirty work mike, we're all rooting for your initiative!

[TheeMikeStellato]

This is fantastic. As a technology education instructor I am sort of a jack of all trades, master of none. I love dabbling in different types of work and respect hard workers so much. Unfortunately, lots of students feel that the 4 year degree is the way to go. They do not realize that they can get paid to do an apprenticeship and come out making a lot of money or be their own boss. It's sad that we have a shortage of skilled workers because this country will not improve without skilled workers.

[johntindale]

I took a job in heating and air conditioning over 20 years ago, and I've tried other stuff- administration, college, non-profit work, among other things- but HVAC has always paid the bills. At this point in my life, I'm grateful for my skill, and wouldn't trade it for anything.

[urwildbabe1974]

It took me twenty years and two associates degrees to figure out that i needed to learn a real skill. Our students should be introduced to a variety of vocational training so they can discover which one suits them.

[dbarless]

@donchardin For an apprentice or a journeyman? I live in Cincinnati and I know a few welders who make as much as me, and I am a pharmacist. My brother lives in MI and makes over $30/hr as a journeyman millwright. 

[garand]

skilled trades has been hijacked by unions. I'm all for paying these guys well, they have a talent and ability that's worth it. Anyone that has tried to do a "menial skilled trades job" with no training will be humbled by some of the true craftsmen out there. Never discount tradeschools. The longer I deal with professors the more I realize a higher education is not worth the cost.

[66ick]

@garand Most of the really skilled tradesmen come out of the unions. Hijacked? Not hardly. There isn't a tradeschool in existence that can compare to a union's apprenticeship program, many of which require a 4 1/2 to 5 year training period as well as on the job experience. I am a SMWIA Local #206 card carrying journeyman and former apprentice instructor so I have some knowledge on this subject.

[garyrowewhogaf]

How true Mike, America need's to get down and dirty again. No one seem's to want to get dirty for a living. To take pride in a job well done. To build, create, by using skilled and creative hand's. not by pushing the enter key. John F. Kennedy said it best. "We choose to go to the moon and do the other thing's, not because they are easy but because they are hard". Thank's Mike for making this Rowe proud of his last name.

[turndown234]

thank you mike rowe.

[rzatielk]

I hope people will realize what skilled trade is in this country and how important it is! We are keeping positive and working hard to get back what is so rewarding and what we love so much! Keep pushing this issue mike, you're my hero hopefully I'll be able to show you what we do and let ya make a beautiful kitchen with us someday!

[rzatielk]

Some weren't that way which I discovered and just hated life and tried to bring us down, but our philosophy is kill them with kindness and it works everytime! Unfortunately the economy hit our business hit us hard and we haven't recovered yet and lost everything.

[rzatielk]

Fully agree as well! I went straight out of high school to learn the skill of cabinet refacing which is a wonderful trade. My father has been doing it for 30 years and taught me so much which took around a year before I was comfortable doing a kitchen on my own. He taught me many other things aside and it allowed me to discover so many wonderful customers which some even became more of friends.

[bosanovab]

Unfortunately there are many folks out there that think these Skilled tradespeople are undeserving of both respect for the work they do and in they pay they garner and deserve. This like Mike so eloquently put is going to comeback and bite us in the hinney sooner than we think.

Thank goodness I know how to do some of these things they may not look as good or get done in a expedient manner but at least I can say hey I built that.

[garand]

@bosanovab speaking as someone that has tried to "do it himself" on some skilled trades projects, I will say I was severely humbled by the skills that many of you guys have. It's funny to watch even a drywall guy and say "holy crap that looks easy" then try to finish drywall. I'm all for hire it done. The job ends up done better, and many times cheaper. Speaking as someone that has ripped out his own faulty pipework, I say "HIRE IT DONE!"

[rubyrose158]

Valuable testimony. Spoken well by someone who's word can be respected. I hope they listen. Michele Bachmann totally lost me when she discounted basic manufacturing and skilled labor jobs saying her plan would create better high paying jobs in the science area. So who fixes the toilet or builds the road or sews the clothes? We need more trade schools to keep our country running. Not everyone can be a computer geek or we would be running around naked, starving with broken toilets!

[JABBERWACKIN]

@rubyrose158 You hit the nail on the head. Without laborers we have chaos!!

[ownagerobot]

I can't wait till robots replace all these worthless peasant jobs.

[garand]

@ownagerobot give yourself a lesson. buy a fixer upper house. a real shit hole. replace the wiring, plumbing, walls, flooring, furnace ect. you'll have a new found respect for the "peasants"

[grdnoffate]

@garand Actually planning to do JUST this. Cost ways as well as a great educational tool to reconnect with our own lives. Good comment

[bozellandbuckley]

What Mike says about Vocational Training being second class is definitely true, but I don't think he realizes why this is. Even if workers in skilled trades happen to be rare and salaries happen to be high, it still doesn't make sense for parents to encourage their kids to pursue these careers if they can go to college. Why? First of all, the overall trend is for blue collar jobs to be automated and for wages to go down. Why go into a career if it is going downhill?

[garand]

@bozellandbuckley I think he's referring to skilled trades. Yes it's true a simple factory job of picking up a part and putting it in a box can be automated. The robot will need to be installed, wired, and maintained. there are many people with 4 year arts degrees working at coffee shops, delivering pizza, and asking if I want fries with that.

[motherhoodisterminal]

I always loved a man with a nice tool belt!



[sherpa285]

Class act all the way.

[arborvitian]

I have a university diploma on my wall next to a diploma from a trade school. It's nice having an education, but it's even nicer being able to earn more than $18,000 a year. Trade school was by far the better investment of the two.

[mrkevco11]

now that we have all talked about it,,,,Mike mentioned programs how can we help

[ngoniko]

NICE!!!

[mortsey]

I have a degree, but wish sometimes that I had teachers who didn't focus on College but instead encouraged me to go into skilled trades. Here I am with a 4 year degree working a dead end job as a security guard. I can't get another job because people see my resume and think rent-a-cop. Skill trades think I am over qualified and the other side thinks I am a societal drop out. (the usual impression of anyone working in security. most people think "Paul Blarth Mall Cop.)

[erikofthecrepes]

This video makes wonderful points. But it only says we need to even out the workforce. Higher education is still extremely important regardless of how important skilled trades are.

[olikat8]

I have a degree, worked on a CDC/NiOSH research study and I decided to become a plumber about 10 years ago. Now I work @ a large computer company as an on-staff plumber taking care of about 1/3 of their buildings. Have good benies, make close to 6 figures, and can't see myself ever leaving before I retire. Attitude, skill and character matter more than a degree

[Manokimo]

Go Mike! I'm one of the people on the other side of the widening gap. I think that a lot of our unemployment problems could be fixed by people knowing that there ARE jobs out there, you just need to get some training and your hands dirty. These jobs are necessary, important, and come with a sense of accomplishment that you won't get filing papers at the end of the day.

[zannjam]

When I was growing up, even though my mother was an educator, I never really wanted to go to college, instead of forcing me to get a higher education she would always tell me "The World Needs Ditch Diggers Too". I've spent the last 25+ years working in the oilfield and rarely ever regret my choice. I like being hands on. Too bad these days the educated ones, or the ones who want to work white collar jobs don't think about working a trade, they are encouraged to "Occupy" Great speech Mike.

[Miketheblacksmith]

I have spent all my life working in the trades. the biggest problem I have run into in the last couple of years has been that no one wants to pay for the work they need done. the people with the high educations, that charge $250 dollars an hour to assist you, get extremely offended if you want to charge $25 per hour to weld, or construct, or plumb something that they need repaired. Until this attitude changes, America is going to be sliding down a slippery slope toward the decay of our country!

[FeelinGipper]

@Miketheblacksmith So you are implying that the US should become communist? I am currently in college working to become an Officer in the Air Force. I worked in a machine shop for 3 years. I rebuilt motors ranging from single cylinder Briggs & Strattons to diesel inline 6's. I do all the maintenance on my vehicles including a full rebuild to replace a bent intake valve. Ive fixed toilets, helped build houses with no compensation and anything else you want to list. You sir are extremely offending

[TheMassiveLlama]

@FeelinGipper Did you actually read anything that he wrote? Nothing he stated in that even remotely described communism, let alone being anyhting offensive.

[TheMassiveLlama]

@FeelinGipper He was simply implying that the gap between what ppl are willing to pay for and what they are not, along with the cost is insane; and if it continues along this way then our economy will continue to go down. W/o tradesmen, daily tasks dont happen; without daily tasksbig things dont happen. If/when you become an officer in the Air Force; you'll realize that "your" Airmen are these skilled laborers, and you will come to value them much more so than u will other officers

[FeelinGipper]

@TheMassiveLlama As of right now I am an enlisted Airmen for the Air National Guard (which is required to become an Officer for the ANG besides ROTC) so I still know how it is to be a "tradesman" even though I work with jet engines instead of toilets. I was merely stating that even though I am in college I still know how to do the work of a tradesman because I took the time to learn instead of sitting on my ass all day playing video games like your average college student.

[Miketheblacksmith]

@FeelinGipper : I hope you have read the other responses to your response to mine. I am having a hard time understanding your comparison to communism, but I am glad to see that you are not afraid to get your hands dirty and help others. I will say one thing though about your upcoming Air Force commitment. You will learn very quickly that it is the Sergeants who get the work done, not the Officers.

[paulc206]

Mike never says people don't want these jobs. He says there is a SKILLS gap. You can have your opinion, of course, just don't pretend Mike is agreeing with it.

[roadrunner1257]

Mike Masterson Obviously big business interests do not understand the law of supply and demand. If there is a so called shortage of welders why are wages stagnant? If they were to raise wages they would get the welders they need for that power plant in Georgia.

[dbarless]

@roadrunner1257 The average welder makes about $20 an hour. How is that not a good wage??

[donchardin]

@dbarless Where is Average salary 20 an hour? Here in Ohio, your lucky to get 9. I have a few welder friends and family members that are moving out of state to try to find jobs that pay around 15.

[66ick]

@donchardin This is the reason you want to keep your state from being a "right to work" state and join a trade union.  That way your welder friends make a liveable wage.

[racingtrophies]

He's right. People today don't want, nor respect those kinds of jobs and that's why they don't pay worth a darn. Nobody wants to do them. Maybe before we're too old, we'll be paid what we're worth, to do the magic tricks we pull off every day. I'm one of the last remaining highly skilled Plumbers in the state of Ohio.

No younger person within 100 miles of here wants to do what we do.

[mrmgt11]

This is a good piece-- as a trade skiller- I have seen us Trimmers - their are not many of us left. With no replacements comming up the line...no one wants to learn.. no apprentences... It is a dirty job at times - I do go home dirty alot -- Some jobs just take skill and hard work- my nails break-alot-my hands get greasy, my nuckles sometimes bleed -- my hair gets a mess but i wouldn't trade it for the world. I am a skilled trades woman!

[notoneiotaof]

This couldn't be MORE true. Skilled trades build this country not SELL IT OUT. AMEN

[KMANDAKILLA]

Absolutely correct, going through welding engineering right now, and we have been told you are practically guaranteed a job

[machinemanbaltimore]

He is 1000% correct. I own a small automotive related business and hiring people, especially the young ones, is an impossible task. We have given up trying.

This video gives some hope that I am not the only one that feels this way.

[quorndawg1]

The world needs ditch diggers too

[b00stinz]

Tradies/engineers, anyone with hands on skill make the world go round

[jdmwill]

@Galley415 amen

[jaybuhner0874]

This problem will continue as long as the gov't gives people money for simply being out of work or even worse NOT WANTING TO WORK! I'm completely against entitlements, but I would be all for providing support for those who are going to school to be trained in a skilled position to fill a void that already exists. It's the whole give a man a fish or teach a man to fish thing. Yes, I know this can't be applied univiersally and there are legitimate needs for welfare, but the majority don't needit

[desertraven]

@jaybuhner0874 That's not the point. It's not about people being lazy or not wanting to work... being a plumber is looked down on in our society. When someone tells you they're a plumber you immediately think 'oh, so you couldn't cut it in college?' The unemployed aren't going to take the time to learn to be a plumber, because ew, plumbers. They'd rather get a job at target, walmart, mcdonald's. Something easy, and without the stigma of having a plumber crack and smelling bad

[MiniRtist]

Beautiful. Thank you, Mike Rowe. I've always loved the show "Dirty Jobs" but this is eloquent and beautiful, and should be seen by many more people.

[karmacop911]

death to the american dream!!!

[awdoom]

Incredible message!

[aliseal]

So glad a friend posted this to her Facebook page. Excellent statement and suggestion. I wish we had a way people could trade education for some period of public service in the career field/trade of their choice. Thank you for your testimony and work!

[paulie9fingers]

There is no dishonor in being a skilled tradesman, if more people would realize that then maybe we wouldn't have so many unemployed college graduates walking around with $100k in debt. I have been doing electrical work for 32 years, make a comfortable living for my family and I'm happy and proud of what I produce. Go Mike

[TheManHere1]

The politicians are in bed with BIG EDUCATION.. BIG ED is the problem. Making every kid take the SAT 5 times and sending them off to college does wonders to keep the out of the work force and unskilled.

[Dflake68]

This is crap ! I remember the george bush ecconimic stimulus plan , where he allowed 100,000 unskilled workers into the skilled trades industry. my general liability went up because of warranty issues with masonry work, (concrete , foundation ,brick work. ) . This is just some hype to let the illegals come back again and screw things up.

[heisallbad]

@Dflake68 Did you listen? He is not talking about employing unskilled people in positions which require skills but making skilled labor respectable again. You may have had a bad experience but does that mean that the basic idea is wrong? No, but calling someone who is trying to bridge the gap between fantasy (everything can just go on like it is now) and reality (there need to be some fundamental changes in how we approach work!) hype and crap .... THAT is wrong!

[Jeanninecomeau]

This is true and if I can get silly for a minute. He's a babe.

[SBSLandscape]

I agree with Mike 100%, I was 1 of 4 or so out of 500 kids in my graduating class that didn't apply to a college, and I was looked down upon by all of my teachers and most of my peers. But yet I knew what I wanted to do and I couldn't learn it at any college. I learn things every day at work whether I'm hanging sheet rock, painting, doing carpentry ,landscaping, or wrenching on cars. I love to learn and understand how things work. The best part of it is finding some one who wants to teach you

[passionnwarfare]

@SBSLandscape

I prefer ' intelligent heavy lifters' to 'heavy thinkers' any day of the week. They get stuff DONE! :-) Good on YOU for going with your interest and having that open mind to learn and experience new things every day. Then, YOU will be the one teaching the next keen person to come along. :-) Keep up the good work!

[temporos]

Why would someone "dislike" this? O_o

[Kisame257]

@temporos because that person is one of those responsible for this gap and doesn't like being told they screwed up and screwed us over.

[embolalia]

@temporos One person is Amish, and doesn't like heating, plumbing, or... wait, no, that wouldn't work, would it? Yeah, I have no idea why someone disliked this.

[firsttbone]

Vote Rowe 12', even if you have to right it in!!!!

[controllineman]

I agree 1000% but why is it that the asshole in the office who doesnt know SHIT about the job being done , make the money of 5 employees. Ive been in skilled labor as a machinist for 18 years and have never found a machine shop yet that ever wanted to pay a wage worth a shit. and only twice have i had a boss or supervisor that could do my job !!

[AshBradford]

People always look at this issue as being caused by a devaluing of skilled trades. That's partially true, but it's not the main reason. I can name at least 10 people I know who wanted to go into trades but couldn't because they didn't have the money. People tend to forget that back in the day, trades didn't require a college degree. They do now, and a lot of the people who might consider trades just can't afford the schooling. That's the biggest issue in my opinion.

[chopperboi89]

I would have liked to see the senate's response to what he had to say...

[JTheGuitarPlayer]

My name is Jason. I'm a recent graduate of a Skilled Trades school for Auto Mechanics. Thank you, Mike Rowe. And let's see you turn wrenches! Let's see Mike work in an Iron Foundry. Or as a Welder/Fabricator. I have done all of these jobs and I assure you, they can make you FILTHY dirty.

[ugleeamerican]

Damn he is so right! I have felt this for a long time. I want to say more, but he said it all. I admire the man.

[mickblock]

I got nothing more to say than... BAM!!!

[xMA12Ax]

mike rowe for president!

[drh1111]

Truest shit ever spoken

[Moosepiesandwich]

An eloquent and accurate commentary, humorous and insightful.

[satajet883]

Well said Mike! I wen't the trade rout when everybody told me not to. No regrets.

[KillAsrt13]

very very well said mike!..im a carpenter myself,and so is my father..back when he was young being a carpenter was appreciated..now a days people look down on people who do trades..and every company has mexicans doing the work for very low pay

[Liquidreams]

@alexcockerill Don't be a jackass. Go get your friggin' degree. Do what you want for a living, but this economy is killing the trades. If it keeps up no one will hire you outside of the trades if you don't have a degree and if the economy remains bad there won't be a skill trade for you to practice. Get it? Get your degree so you can do more than one thing for a living!

[Homebrew58]

@alexcockerill Alex, you need to leave that school and enroll somewhere that will train you in the area of your interest... right now. I went to college for three years before I finally dropped out and went to a vocational school much to my fathers dismay. But thirty years later I am still working in a field that I love and my Dad told me many years ago that he is glad I did what I did because it was obvious I was happy.

[Galley415]

Just showing that not everybody from hollywood are ignorant assholes!

[Sardog1]

@Galley415 1. No they're not. In fact, most of them aren't. That would explain all the movies made in Hollywood where the underdog wins and the ignorant asshole loses. Unfortunately that isn't how real life usually works out and somehow it's Hollywoods fault in some people's eyes. 2. Mike Rowe isn't from Hollywood.

[IommiFan70]

Mr. Rowe if i were there id shake your hand right now! WELL SAID MIKE!

[disnukka79]

Apprenticeships??? Good luck finding one... Good luck being a minority and getting into one...

[MobsterNine]

@disnukka79 Look harder, the opposite is true. No excuse.

[IommiFan70]

@MobsterNine I wanted to say something too but i didn't want to be that guy. Thanks.

[mustie1]

well said mike..

[BoredNotanymore]

Real life grandpa MAcGyver :)

[jcarey1983]

AMEN MIKE!!

[DemonoidCFH]

AMEN BROTHER! AMEN! They closed the Auto Shop in my high school...turned it into a computer lab. Computers were the answer, we all were going to have clean jobs and never get dirty. I never believed it...

[spelunkerd]

Mike struck a chord with me today, Stay dirty, ha ha.

[somercet1]

Shocking, simply shocking. We put govt in charge of education and they forgot we need skilled laborers. Who would have guessed?

[swonderfulsue]

This is a huge deal. I am grateful Mike Rowe is bring the problem to light. I live in a small town and most people are skilled workers. I didn't ever realize there was a gap.