Mike Rowe Speaks To Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee [05-11-11]

Mike Rowe of Mike Rowe Works and Discovery Channel speaks to the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on May 5th, 2011. He discusses the need for change in the work force of USA's citizens to promote skilled trades as a desired job, rather than that being exclusive to jobs that requires a 4 year degree or more.

• Category

  News & Politics

[Alexander Rivera]

Ideally, everyone physically capable would be required to work a physical labor job upon graduating high school for a couple of years before starting college. It teaches good work ethic, attention to detail, takes advantage of the most physically capable (see: energy and enthusiasm) years of one's life, and opens doors to physical labor jobs that many Americans today don't even think to pursue.

[Beau Young]

Doesn't this seem a little too hands-on, though? What about those that are on a career path to success in academia? Wouldn't such a job take some wind out of their sails, so to speak? Perhaps some incentive for high school graduates to work these jobs before attending college, or even while going to college, but a requirement is too heavy handed.

[SteveOIF25]

I've been saying "Mike Rowe is my hero" after watching dozens of Dirty Jobs episodes for a long time now. After seeing this, I say: MIKE ROWE FOR FREAKING PRESIDENT!!! To quote a friend of mine "I didn't fight for Iraqi Freedom, only to have mine taken from me at home." Literally millions of young veterans like myself are starting to get really serious about the nation we've sworn to protect, and the direction it's headed. I pray to god this attitude continues to spread! God Bless!

[sodapop554]

Because they're the 13 morons that listened to the rest of the trendies whom convinced them that the only REAL work is something that requires 0 effort, scams others yet yields a large profit. They now hate their life & envy those of us who still are & will remain awake, skilled & strong.

[John Doe]

Trades have, for the most part, become dead end jobs because wages have fallen dramatically. The show 60 minutes did a piece about the shortage of workers in the trades. Turns out that a lot of the businesses did not want to pay people much, hence the short fall. Why break your back for shit wages when there are easier jobs that now pay the same.

[Lynn P]

I love that mike's mom is in the background smiling and knotting 

[BicolBandit]

Yes! Amen.

[Samumighty]

thank you Mr. Rowe. as a 42 year old, 20 years in the construction industry, i can confirm that there are many jobs that i do for a living that teachers in grade school, belittle the position, "do you want to dig ditches for the rest of your life?" turns out, one can make a very good living "digging ditches". my GF sons have no idea how to work a saw or a hammer and i see this with most young males today and, that frightens me. 

[Will Seitz]

Our job preferences are based on the wealth distribution of our country. People in the upper percentiles of income are doing much better than those below them. CEOs make hundreds of times what their employees make. If doing a "trade" was viewed as a way to get ahead economically maybe it would be more appealing. It isn't people looking down on these trades, but are economic system doing so. The Walmart family earns more than 40,000 plumbers from owning stuff.

[RvLeshrac]

The goal *is* to take some wind out of those sails. Too often, people shoot up just to look down on everyone who performs "skilled" or "unskilled" (which is a horrible term) labour.

[ih1206]

well like i always say, what I lack in book work, I make up for with hands on work. I can do the formulas, but I prefer to have my hands dirty tearing something down and rebuilding it.

[aerbourne117]

How about you don't tell people how to live their lives?

[gnomeenthusiast225]

From a millwright, thumbs up to a mechanical engineer who can appreciate what happens beyond formulas and drawings.

[MadMaxGamer]

Oh the irony... the chairman`s name is Rockefeller.. if you know what i mean...