The Impact Societal Norms Have on Skilled Trades | Patricia Robinson | TEDxWest Park HS

TL;DR

Building trades face a deficit in skilled workers, and societal norms and perceptions must change to encourage young people to pursue trades for a successful future.

Transcript

[Applause] my last year teaching in the public school system was in 2017 I remember it so well because a eighth grade student came to me and said Miss Robinson I'm dropping out imagine how I felt hearing the words of a e grader say I'm dropping out and I'm not even going to go to high school I spent countless of hours talking to this student about ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 The building trades industry faces a significant deficit in skilled workers, posing a challenge in meeting the demand for infrastructure development.
• 🥺 Societal norms and perceptions regarding trade careers often discourage young people from pursuing them, leading to a shortage of skilled workers.
• 👻 Early exposure to trades and experiences can foster curiosity, creativity, and a sense of purpose, allowing individuals to make informed choices about their careers.
• 👯 Overcoming societal biases and perceptions is crucial to encourage young people to consider trade careers as a viable and successful option.
• ❓ Individuals should be encouraged to identify their own passions, purpose, and potential, rather than being confined to societal expectations and norms.
• 🤗 Skills are the currency of the future, and acquiring trade skills can open doors to success and career advancement.
• 🥡 Uncomfortable situations and taking risks are necessary for personal growth and achieving one's goals.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main challenges faced by the building trades industry?

The building trades industry is dealing with a shortage of skilled workers due to a deficit in the Next Generation filling vacant positions. Perception and societal norms contribute to the scarcity of young people pursuing trade careers.

Q: How can early exposure to the trades benefit young individuals?

Early exposure to trades allows young individuals to explore their interests and discover if it aligns with their passions and career goals. It provides them with the opportunity to develop a sense of identity and confidence in their chosen path.

Q: How can societal norms and perceptions be changed to encourage trade careers?

By challenging societal biases and perceptions, we can create a culture that values trade careers and recognizes them as equally valuable and lucrative. This can be done through education, awareness campaigns, and promoting successful stories of tradespeople.

Q: Why is curiosity important in shaping individuals' career paths?

Curiosity plays a crucial role in individuals' overall development as it allows them to explore new things and discover their interests. It helps in shaping their career paths by providing them with exposure to different opportunities and allowing them to make informed decisions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker recounts her experience as a teacher and the challenges faced by students, emphasizing the lack of skilled workers in the building trades industry.

• Perception and societal norms are identified as major obstacles in encouraging young people to pursue trade careers.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of early exposure, experiences, curiosity, and creativity in shaping individuals' career paths.