It’s a complaint heard often from the skilled trades that not enough young people want to work in traditional jobs.
Anyone who has tried to find at short notice a reputable plumber who doesn’t charge the earth will certainly relate to that.
Students seem more taken with arts and humanities courses, and while these are obviously highly valuable in teaching certain skills, it should not be the case that careers in construction, building, carpentry or plumbing should be seen as in any way inferior to jobs that demand more academic qualifications.
Which is why it is most welcome to see a Bradford school putting resources into creating a dedicated faculty for the teaching of construction-related subjects.
Tong High School is to be commended for offering a clear and direct path encouraging students to ready themselves for careers in these industries.
By, in a way, adding an academic sheen to these courses the school is putting the subjects on a level playing field with the more academic types of education.
It would be good to see more schools and colleges turn some of their buildings and resources over to teaching practical courses such as this.
Not every child is suitable for university, but that does not mean they are any lesser able than those who follow more studious routes, and such jobs should be held in as high esteem as any other career.
After all, while the world will always need artists, computer programmers, media folk and scientists, the skilled professions have always and will always be the ones that keep Britain moving.
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