ƈƈĞƬ ƬƈƆƇƉƬľƬƬ AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET TO USA TODAY Craft professions Made in the USA The skills gap Know the skills How you can What it really means that pay the bills make an impact for Americans EMPLOYING AMERICA

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ABA , tackles his dirtiest job of all — closing the skilled labor gap and getting America back to work. PHOTO: GO BUILDAL GO PHOTO: ƈƈĞƬ ĞƬƈƆƇƉƬľƬƬ 2 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET TO USA TODAY CHALLENGES There appears to be a surplus of jobs waiting to be filled and not enough people trained to fill them. Yet our employment rate continues to hover around 7.7 percent, and America’s jobless are becoming increasingly frustrated and scared. WE RECOMMEND President Meet what has become known as “the skills gap.” Bill Clinton on getting America back to work Reinvigorating the trades PAGE 4

irty Jobs is not tion on Dirty Jobs was seeing first- vigorate the trades. We need to con- EMPLOYING AMERICA, really a show hand the degree to which our coun- front the stigmas and stereotypes 1ST EDITION, MARCH 2013 about dirt. It’s a try has become disconnected from associated with skilled labor, and let Publisher: Laura Davis show about peo- skilled labor. Again and again, in all go of this absurd belief that a four- [email protected] ple, and over the 50 states, I’ve heard the same thing year degree is the only viable way to Business Developer: Janel Gallucci [email protected] years I’ve learned from hundreds of workers. They acquire useful knowledge. Lead Designer: Alana Giordano a lot from people all talk of a “disconnect” between Twelve million unemployed [email protected] that wake up clean and go home the work they do, and the society Americans is a scary thing. But Designer: Jonathan Zajdman D [email protected] dirty. I have learned for instance, that benefits from it. I think maybe three million available jobs that Managing Director: Luciana Culapinto [email protected] that a single fire ant can bite you they’re on to something. can’t be filled…well, that’s really Editorial Manager: Sara Quigley multiple times, especially in places Consider what we reward in our scary. Because that means we’re not [email protected]

where a man does not wish to be culture today. Dancing with the dealing with a lack of opportunity. Contributors: Ashley Baker, Megan bitten. I’ve learned that widths Stars is still the number one show We’re dealing with a lack of desire. Battista, Bill Clinton, Stephen L. Hitch, Avery Hurt, Mike Rowe, Jill Smits, Curt are more hazardous than heights, on television. The Four Hour Work Weber, Donald E. Whyte and that short cuts lead to long Week is still a national bestseller. Share my concern Distributed within: delays. I’ve also learned that a good Vocational training classes have Skilled labor needs a PR campaign. USA Today, March 2013 plumber is now more expensive evaporated from our high schools, A big one. Because closing The This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today or its than a good shrink, and a lot harder and careers that don’t require a Skills Gap is not about creating Editorial Departments. to find. 4-year degree are now considered jobs. The jobs are already there. It’s FOLLOW US ON & TWITTER! This whole Skills Gap thing is real, “alternative.” We have actively dis- about us preserving our infrastruc- facebook.com/MediaplanetUSA twitter.com/MediaplanetUSA and it’s getting bigger every day. In couraged an entire generation of ture, expanding our manufactur- Mediaplanet’s business is to create new Alabama, half the skilled workforce students from working with their ing base, enhancing our ability to customers for our advertisers by providing is north of fifty, and retiring fast. For hands, and turned a whole category compete globally, and bolstering readers with high-quality editorial content every four workers that leave, only of viable careers into “vocational our national security. If you share that motivates them to act. one enters to replace them. And consolation prizes.” I hate to sound my addiction to paved roads, afford- Enter for your chance to win according to a 60 Minutes story last like a scold, but really, is it any won- able energy, cheap food, and indoor a K’nex 50 Model building set, month, there are now three million der that our kids aren’t lining up to plumbing, you should also share my valued at $34.99! Upload an skilled jobs that American compa- learn a useful skill? concern. image of your favorite nies simply cannot fill. Three mil- Because this whole Skills Gap MADE IN AMERICA lion. What’s up with that? Closing the gap thing is real. And the first step is a product on our Facebook page: The Skills Gap is not a mystery; it’s doozy. www.facebook.com/ Finding solutions a reflection of what we value. And if MediaplanetUSA Mike Rowe Ten lucky winners will receive I’m not qualified to offer a solution. we’re serious about closing the gap, Creator/Host, Dirty Jobs; their own K’nex 50 Model I’m just a TV Host. On cable. But I we need to reconnect with that part CEO, mikeroweWORKS MIKE ROWE Building Set! can tell you that my biggest revela- of our workforce. We need to rein- [email protected]

Curt Weber Donald E. Whyte Stephen L. Hitch Ashley Baker VP of Marketing, President, Global Manager, Chairman, Board IRWIN Tools NCCER ThinkBIG American Workforce Caterpillar Inc Development Initiative, Go Build Question 1: Tradesmen are the backbone of Being a skilled craft professional Skilled Trades is where “it” all Put simply, skilled trade careers our great nation; they keep America provides limitless opportunity to comes together. A skilled trades offer big opportunity and big salaries. Why should running strong. They put a roof over build a rewarding future in one of person brings to life what Science, If you want to be in a field that is in someone consider our heads, make sure our lights stay the largest industries in the world. Technology, Engineering and demand, where the starting pay is bet- on, keep our water flowing, and so This industry allows an individual Math shows us is possible. Using ter than most post-college salaries and a career in the much more. Stable, well-paying to begin as a craft professional and critical hands-on experience and the prospect for growth is great, learn jobs are plentiful for skilled trades- advance to supervision, manage- knowledge, skilled trades literally a skill. That said, most of us are looking skilled trades? men as the nation’s recovery boosts ment and even company owner. The builds the world around us. From for more than a paycheck. We want a construction starts, remodeling opportunities are bound only by an our homes to highly advanced career that’s rewarding and meaning- and repair. individual’s ambition and motiva- construction equipment. Building, ful. What could be more meaningful tion. Troubleshooting, Repairing, and than building the cities of the future Maintaining for the future. or constructing the infrastructure that keeps America running?

Frankly, our industry is not doing As the shortage of skilled workers In direct response to customer Go Build America was created Question 2: enough. So, IRWIN Tools initiated becomes more pronounced, owners needs, Caterpillar and our dealers specifically to address America’s What is your National Tradesmen Day on the 3rd and contractors continue to elevate created a network of educational growing skilled labor gap with a Friday of every September to cel- their commitment to supporting and partnerships at local training pro- focus on industrial and commer- industry doing ebrate America’s real working hands. implementing sustainable workforce grams granting Associates Degrees cial construction. Endorsed by the to help close the We hope that National Tradesmen development programs. Industry in Applied Science at 21 locations Construction Users Roundtable, Day will help our country develop a and education engagement is on in 10 countries. This global pro- Go Build partners with states for skilled labor gap? better appreciation for skilled trades- the rise delivering successful train- gram, known as ThinkBIG, focuses localized, integrated recruiting pro- men, leading to more people consid- ing programs at both the secondary on developing advanced dealer grams aimed at inspiring the next ering promising careers in skilled and post-secondary levels that offer technician graduates by utilizing generation of tradesmen to step up trades. industry-recognized and portable highly integrated learning and and build America. credentials. work internship rotations.

Question 3: As tradesmen retire, jobs in Obtaining skills through edu- As a global company, we need It’s tough for young people to the skilled trades will be plentiful cation and training, especially skills that stretch across many think about the long-term impact of What is one since there’s only one qualified when tied to industry needs, is disciplines. Jobs in technical and their career choice. My advice would person available for every three essential in preparing for the skilled trade fields offer a reward- be to think about your earning and message you who retire. There are tremen- many career opportunities avail- ing career in terms of salary and growth potential over the span of would like to get dous entrepreneurial and busi- able. Career and Technical Educa- job satisfaction. Whether you your career. As a skilled tradesmen, ness ownership opportunities for tion offers a pathway to a reward- spend your career as a skilled you’ll start earning money faster across for those aspiring tradesmen. IRWIN hopes ing future with the same opportu- trade person or use it as a step- and be eligible for promotion earlier looking to choose people —especially young people nities for success and achievement ping-stone to other opportuni- than in most careers. That means — will consider career opportu- as pursuing a university degree. ties, the choice is yours. more earnings over the span of your the right career nities in the skilled trades, and Unfortunately, not enough young career and ultimately more finan- path? explore education through local people or their parents are aware cial security for your family. community colleges. of these opportunities.

ƈƈĞƬ ĞƬƈƆƇƉƬľƬƬ ƈƈĞƬ ĞƬƈƆƇƉƬľƬƬ 4 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET TO USA TODAY AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET TO USA TODAY 5 INSPIRATION MANUFACTURING IN AMERICA DON’T MISS! QUESTION & ANSWER sense of self-worth as useful, inde- CHANGING THE COURSE OF OUR COUNTRY What’s the biggest miscon- pendent, free people. I earned my ception around today’s under- first money mowing lawns when standing of blue collar work? I was twelve. At thirteen I worked First, we’ve got to get passed the in a small grocery store and set up If every American were to spend More than 80% of U.S. con- Manufacturing supports an color of collars. Blue and white col- a used comic book stand on the sumers stated that they are estimated 17.2 million jobs lar work are not opposites – they’re side. By the time I finished high willing to pay more for prod- 9 in the U.S.—about one in six Mike Rowe two sides of the same coin. The gap school, I’d made a little money just $64 a year $5.33/month ucts labeled “Made in USA” private sector jobs. Nearly 12 Creator/Host, Dirty Jobs; between blue and white collar is doing seven other things. By the than for those labeled “Made million Americans (or 9 percent CEO, mikeroweWORKS the same gap into which three mil- end of law school, seven more. Over in China.” of the workforce) are employed PHOTO: MICHAEL SEGAL lion good jobs have fallen. That’s President Bill Clinton $ the last four decades, nine more, $1.33/week directly in manufacturing. really what the skills gab is – a giant Founder of the William J. on products not counting my foundation and You’ve said we need to look at hole that we dug with our percep- Clinton Foundation other philanthropic work. Most of unemployment numbers differ- tions of what it means to have a PHOTO: ROBERT ALSWAG $0.18/day ( ) Source: BCG Perspectives National Association of Manufacturers these early jobs didn’t last long. I made in the USA... ently. What do you mean? “good job.” didn’t like them all. But I learned I mean that 12 million unemployed Back to work something in every job—about the A majority of Americans people doesn’t necessarily mean 12 You’ve bristled at the sugges- work, dealing with people, and giv- 85% of U.S. and 82% of believe that American- million too few jobs. It could just tion that you are a spokesman wrote this book because I love ing employers and customers their Chinese said that they Made goods are better as easily mean 12 million too many for “blue collar workers?” Why? my country and I’m concerned money’s worth. 200,000 new jobs “agree” or “strongly quality than products employees. Not too many people- Because no one asked me to speak I made in... about our future. As I often said agree” with the state- too many people trained to think on their behalf. I support the trades “…no matter who you when I first ran for President in 1992, ment that they “feel better like employees. Fostering entrepre- because my life has been made America at its core is an idea—the are or where you’re from, about” the quality of items Mexico (83%), neurship is no less important than immeasurably better by trades- idea that no matter who you are or if you work hard and play would be created. labeled “Made in USA.” India (82%) and “Creating Jobs.” men. Truth is, blue collar workers China (78%) where you’re from, if you work hard by the rules, you’ll have don’t need spokesmen, they need and play by the rules, you’ll have the the freedom and oppor- SOURCE: ABC WORLD NEWS BCG Perspectives Harris Poll What’s next? Is there a Dirty fans. They need a few hundred freedom and opportunity to pursue tunity to pursue your Jobs follow up? million Americans to see them for your own dreams and leave your Dirty Jobs mattered because it what they are – a critical part of our own dreams...” kids a country where they can chase offered up a new set of role models workforce that makes civilized life theirs. I came of age believing that, no osh Miller can tell you it’s no easy feat to live a abroad, 78 percent of Americans would prefer to buy the American-made goods. In January, Walmart announced den costs in the supply chain like shipping, double man- in the age of So You Think You Can possible for the rest of us. That idea no long seems achiev- matter what happened, I would life built solely on American-made products, American product. it would increase sourcing of U.S.-made products by $50 agement and time.” Dance. I’d like to do that again by able to the more than 15 million peo- always be able to support myself. It because the documentary filmmaker recently It’s a phenomenon Margarita Mendoza has seen first- billion over the next decade. It’s an amount Mendoza And, like Nickol, he says being American-made has profiling more people who com- What can we do to empower ple who are unemployed or working became a crucial part of my iden- Jspent a month traveling the country doing just hand as founder of Made in America Movement, a non- says is a “drop in the bucket” for the retail giant, but also become a key differentiator for their products, in part bine passion and entrepreneurship the next generation of trades- part-time who need full-time jobs to tity and drove me to spend a good that. Not surprisingly, he soon discovered that profit advocating for American-made manufacturers, “a step that is good for the country.” because, “people are realizing that choosing to buy Ameri- with a willingness to work their men? support themselves and their fami- portion of my adult life trying to phoning home on an American-made gadget was impos- and she’s hopeful the statistics do not amount to a pass- can helps their community.” butts off. I call them Yankee Rebels- We need to address the stigma lies. And it must seem downright give other people the chance to do sible, but “Made in the USA: The 30 Day Journey“ devel- ing fad. Committed companies the industriousness of the North that has developed over time unreal to the growing number of the same thing. It’s heartbreaking oped into something more than a frustrating quest to buy “Consumers should be concerned about buying Amer- While American-made is a small component of some Future success combined with the independence and get kids and their parents men and women who’ve been out to see so many people trapped in local. ican-made, not just because the products are safer and of businesses, it’s a fundamental tenet for others. B.J. Nickol, While acknowledging that global trade is absolutely of the South. Sound like a show? reacquainted with the value and of work for more than six months a web of enforced idleness, deep “We initially focused on what I could and couldn’t higher quality, but because doing so creates jobs and min- co-founder of All American Clothing Company, says it’s necessary, Miller says his “Made in the USA” experience importance of skilled trades. We and can’t even get interviews for job debt, and gnawing self-doubt. We do, but the film evolved into a story about the American imizes our carbon footprint,” says Mendoza. “We need to the principle his company was founded upon, because suggests the American dream may rely on ensuring the Is a college education worth it? started mikeroweWORKS to give openings, as if they’re somehow to have to change that. And we can. dream and what we can do to change the course of this educate ourselves and children about this so it becomes a manufacturing and buying American-made products nation “is strong enough to take care of our own.” In his Great topic. Bad question. Edu- hard work a PR campaign and the blame for becoming casualties of the country,” says Miller. cultural lifestyle, and not a trend.” “keeps the skills, jobs and tax base necessary to support opinion, that means bringing business back inside U.S. cation is like fitness. Both are MRW Foundation to provide schol- worst recession since the Depres- This excerpt from Back To Work by Michael Araten, CEO of American-made toy manufac- our communities.” borders. important. However, an expen- arships to people that need help to sion. Bill Clinton is reprinted with permis- Consumer preferences and power turer K’Nex, says his primary customer began showing Nickol says it’s proven to be a successful strategy, as “Manufacturing has been our country’s lifeblood. The sive gym membership is not the explore a career in the trades. Work is about more than making sion by Knopf. There is certainly consumer demand for American-made increased interest in locally produced products around well. “We’ve seen double digit growth in three years, and decisions we make today will determine our future; we only way to get fit and an expen- a living, as vital as that is. It’s fun- products, as evidenced by a new Consumer Reports 2006 when safety scares prompted “moms to care more we’ll probably double up on jobs this year.” need to reenergize and put Americans back to work.” sive four-year degree is not the damental to human dignity, to our [email protected] National Research Center survey that found, given a about standards the U.S. has in place.” It can be cost-effective, too, and Araten says when they JILL SMITS only way to get smart. [email protected] choice between identical products made in the U.S. or Even big box stores have noticed consumer demand for moved manufacturing to America, they eliminated “hid- [email protected] ƈƈĞƬ ĞƬƈƆƇƉƬľƬƬ 6 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET TO USA TODAY NEWS Question: If college is not for you, do you still have options for success? Answer: Yes. Good ones, too.

DON’T MISS! 600,000 Unseen workforce, Current number of high- skilled manufacturing jobs that will remain unknown opportunities unfilled due to a lack of skilled labor. Education is essential. But for career opportunities with his Source: Go Build Alabama college is not the only place company. Many of the students he to get it. mentors are interested in careers Hiring for our Heroes in the trades because they want to Our culture has been steeped in the “be out doing something with their What could have been a blow to message that a four-year degree is hands, making something that will the U.S. manufacturing industry the best—maybe even the only— last,” he explains. Not all skilled jobs has turned into a perfect conflu- route to success. “This is simply not involve building and maintaining ence of events. With the impeding true,” says Don Whyte, president of the infrastructure, however. Rudy retirement of a large generation National Center for Construction Smith wanted to be a chef from the of workers and steady growth in Education and Research. There are time he was a five years old. After manufacturing, the large pool of plenty of opportunities for people high school, he attended the Culi- veterans transitioning from the who have the right skills and train- nary Arts Institute and is now a cor- armed forces to the workforce is ing. “Craft professionals require no porate chef for Unilever. just the solution. less education than engineers or These jobs also offer opportunity architects,” says Whyte. “The differ- for advancement. Worsham, for Looking for work ence is what kind of education and example, was recruited out of high The Manufacturing Institute where they get it. The words “Craft school, began work as a carpenter recently reported 600,000 high- professionals” are key here. The for Haskell, and is now Vice Presi- skilled manufacturing jobs are jobs Whyte is talking about are by dent of the company. currently open in the U.S. largely no means unskilled labor jobs, but due to a lack of skilled labor. And rather trades that require a particu- in the next four years one million lar skill set and dedication to a craft. veterans are expected to leave the OVER 50% armed forces and will be looking Paychecks for work. A college education may bring more Number of graduates prestige, but it does not always with a bachelor’s degree Employing patriotism bring more opportunity or money. under the age of 25 who “Veterans present a huge According to the U. S. Department of are unemployed or in a untapped resource for the U.S. Labor, over half of bachelor’s degree economy and for companies like holders under age 25 were either job that doesn’t require GE,” said Kris Urbauer, program unemployed or working at jobs a degree. Source: Go Build Alabama manager of Veterans Initiatives that did not require degrees. “This at GE. “Beyond technical train- is not totally due to the economy,” Image problems ing, veterans take initiative, have explains Curt Weber, Vice Presi- One reason for the gap between tal- the ability to focus on the mis- dent, IRWIN Tools. “People are not ent and opportunity in the trades is sion, show up on time, have faced graduating with the right skill that skilled professionals have an adversity and understand how to sets for good careers.” According image problem. Too many years of take instruction.” to recent surveys of hiring trends, telling students, teachers, and par- “Veterans have skills and expe- more than 33 percent of employers ents that college was the only route rience that can prove to be vital to have unfilled job openings because to success has skewed more than any business,” said Tricia Pride- they can’t find applicants with the our economy. “Somewhere along more, executive director of Geor- skills necessary for the jobs. These the way, we got away from apprecia- gia Governor Nathan Deal’s Office are good-paying jobs, too. A report by tion and respect for skilled profes- of Workforce Development. “They Harvard Business School found that sionals,” says Nick Pinchuk, CEO of know how to work in a structured 27 percent of trained skilled profes- Snap-on. “But”, he says, “without environment, have experience in sionals earn more than the average these people vehicles don’t roll, oil leadership roles, and tend to be bachelor’s degree recipient. doesn’t flow, planes don’t fly, cities very loyal to an organization.” Nor does a college degree guar- don’t grow, freedom doesn’t ring.” antee satisfaction. Boyd Worsham, MEGAN BATTISTA Vice President of Haskell Construc- AVERY HURT [email protected] tion, recruits high school students [email protected]

Question: When a generation of skilled workers retires, who will take over? Answer: No one—unless we rapidly teach and train a new generation. Who will take over for retiring baby boomers? The gap helps students prepare for careers in the includes transferable skills as well, The average skilled worker is 56 years old. trades or technical and skilled service such as using computers and wielding By 2030, 79 million people will have retired fields—jobs in fields from computer- complicated technical instruments.” while only 41 million new workers will assisted drafting, carpentry, or machining “We are not promoting anything enter the workforce. Most vacated jobs to medical technology or culinary arts. different [from other educational tracks],” will require training and expertise our “There are lots of really cool jobs out says Don Whyte, president of National young people are not getting. Few high there,” says Joseph Pietrantonio, vice Center for Construction Education and schools still teach industrial arts and few president at Air Products, “but they Research, a SkillsUSA partner. “Many students are aware of the many excellent require a core skill coupled with twenty- executives and business owners started job opportunities available to those with first century employability skills, such in the crafts.” With its national the proper skills and education. It’s a as the ability to work in teams, computer conference, championships, and little-known problem, but organizations literacy, and good communications mentoring programs, SkillsUSA like SkillsUSA are out to change that. skills.” gets students on the road to “What you learn in technical schools,” success—and hopefully to Not your father’s career says Nick Pinchuk, CEO of Snap-on, closing the job gap. SkillsUSA, a non-profit partnership of “focuses on particular aspects of the AVERY HURT students, teachers, and industry leaders, career you are preparing for, but also [email protected] SOURCE: iStockphoto.com