Have You Hugged a Shop Rat Recently?
A TD&A subscriber contacted me recently regarding my column "The Future Tooling-Talent Pool: Misperceptions Demand Attention" . He suggested I check out Shop Rats a Michigan non-profit and fellow advocacy group for preserving our manufacturing base.
The name alone was enough to convince me but after learning more about their organization I wanted to make sure all of you were aware of them too.
One of the leading causes of Shop Rats establishment was to tackle the waning support and attention the American school system is giving to future careers traditionally associated with "Co-Op" or technical schools. It's no secret that a widening gap in skilled trades threatens our future stability from an economic and national security standpoint.
From their website, "We are the skilled men and woman that build the world around us. We are the creators of everything man made. Because of our great contributions, our society enjoys many comforts. Without the skills of our talented group, life as we know it would not exist."
Perhaps a T&D interview with a Shop Rat could be in store.
I fell in love with tool making as a youth. It has taken me all over the world, afforded me a decent income before the corporate take over of the government. In my forced retirement my toolmaking skills enhance the quality of my life and those around me because I can make anything I want. Many of those wants revolve around my hobbies I endevor to pass these skills along to my sons as they have many of the same interest and they can enhance their lives as well.