Because of the changing economy and American culture, many industries are experiencing a long-term shortage of skilled tradespeople: including the pipefitters, mechanics, machinists and electricians who have kept American facilities producing. This shortage has been perpetuated by three compounding situations. First, many in our culture believe that a four-year university degree is the only way to be successful. Many U.S. guidance counselors and parents' career planning message is to go to college. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that one in three Americans drops out of college, an increase from one in five in the 1960s. These young people may lose two or three years that they could have used to learn a skilled trade.
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