“I have to be hands-on in what I do…. Welding helps me express my creativity. I like to draw on the side, so that kind of fits right in,” Tallon McClure recently told the Paducah Sun regional newspaper. The Mayfield/Graves County Area Technology Center and Graves High senior was named the Associated General Contractors of Western Kentucky “Technical Center Student of the Week.”
As community relations director of the Graves County Schools, I’m happy to see our students’ achievements highlighted in the media. However, I bring up this topic because of its fit into the bigger picture.
For the sake of transparency, I am the polar opposite of a “Technical Center Student of the Week,” far more traditionally academic. Having said that, I’ve always thought that hands-on learning has been treated like the Rodney Dangerfield of education. As the late, great comedian might say, “It don’t get no respect… no respect at all.” And, frankly… that’s ridiculous!
The knowledge and skills required for vocational or technical education are unique and necessary in our society, Traditional academics and technical education are not competitors, but rather partners!
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator reveals four primary types of people through its four-letter identifications of tendencies and mindsets. One of those four, -S-P’s, especially thrive on working with their hands!
Chris Nelson, executive director of the Associated General Contractors of Western Kentucky, sees that the construction trades needs replacements for the large number of Baby Boomers retiring. He also sees current and future growth in construction. So, he’s doing something about it! Just this school year, he initiated the newspaper feature mentioned here.
For seven years, Nelson’s AGC has partnered with Danny Claiborne, chairman of the Institute of Engineering at Murray State University, MSU, and others to present “Construction Career Day,” drawing high school ATC students from throughout the region as well as a number of trade unions, contractors, and businesses seeking young workers to inspire and hire.
I applaud Chris Nelson’s leadership in highlighting hands-on learning and work! I hope it increases understanding because it’s crucial to Kentucky’s growth in the 21st century!
To learn more, phone him at 270-744-6261 or email cnelson@agcwky.org.