Apprenticeship Career Paths Are Critical for Young People | Matt Poischbeg | TEDxSnoIsleLibraries

Summary

The speaker shares a personal story of learning humility and the value of apprenticeships during his early career as a farmer. He advocates for transforming the K-12 education system to include apprenticeships as a viable alternative to college, emphasizing their role in preparing skilled workers for industry needs. The speaker's company in Washington has successfully integrated apprentices, highlighting the benefits of on-the-job learning and the importance of capturing the knowledge of retiring workers to pass on to the next generation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker began an apprenticeship as a farmer at 16, which taught him valuable life and work skills despite not continuing in that profession.
• 💸 The boss offered $1,000 to quit due to slacking off, which was a pivotal moment of realization and motivation for the speaker.
• 🏫 The speaker chose the apprenticeship route over academic education in Germany, which was a positive choice that prevented him from dropping out.
• 🎓 He later attended college at 29, showing that there is value in different educational paths and timing.
• 🔨 Apprenticeships are undervalued in America but are crucial for the middle class in many countries, according to the speaker.
• 👨‍🏫 The speaker advocates for a transformation in the K-12 education system to include more vocational training and less academic pressure.
• 👷 High school and college dropout rates are high, often due to boredom, indicating a need for varied educational approaches.
• 🛠️ There is a critical lack of skilled workers in many industries, and apprenticeships can help fill this gap.
• 🏢 The speaker's company hires based on potential to learn on the job rather than formal education, emphasizing practical skills over degrees.
• 🔍 The company struggled to find qualified employees, leading to the creation of an in-house training program and apprenticeship opportunities.
• 🤝 AJAC (Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee) is highlighted as a successful model for developing apprenticeship programs in various industries.
• 📚 Apprenticeships provide a combination of on-the-job training, wages, and classroom education, leading to professional certification without debt.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial experience as a farmer at the age of 16?

The speaker began an apprenticeship to become a farmer at 16 but faced a challenging moment three months into the job when his boss offered him $1,000 to quit due to his slacking off, which left him shocked, stunned, and ashamed.

How did the speaker's attitude towards work change after the confrontation with his boss?

After the confrontation, the speaker decided to shape up and stay on the job, which led to a life-changing experience and a solid foundation for his future careers.

Why did the speaker choose the apprenticeship route instead of continuing academic education immediately after high school?

The speaker chose the apprenticeship route because he hated school and grew up in Germany where he had the choice between academic and apprenticeship paths. This choice prevented him from dropping out.

At what age did the speaker eventually go to college and what did he study?

The speaker went to college at the age of 29 and earned a degree in business administration.

What is the speaker's opinion on the value of apprenticeships in America?

The speaker believes that apprenticeships are the backbone of the middle class in many countries but are undervalued in America, which he considers a shame.

What problem does the speaker identify with the current K-12 education system in relation to apprenticeships?

The speaker identifies that the K-12 education system is heavily geared towards higher education and does not prepare students for success in industry, which is a problem for developing skilled workers.

How did the speaker's company address the issue of finding a qualified mold maker?

The company addressed the issue by starting an in-house training program and finding an apprentice through AJAC (Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee), a statewide nonprofit organization.

What is AJAC and what role does it play in apprenticeships?

AJAC stands for Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee. It is a statewide nonprofit organization that brings together employees, employers, educators, and the Department of Labor and Industry to develop apprenticeship programs and help skilled workers pass on their knowledge to the next generation.

What are the benefits of the apprenticeship program for apprentices according to the speaker?

Apprentices earn a good living wage, receive classroom training, get raises based on performance, have their tuition paid in full for AJAC apprenticeships, and graduate with professional certification, college credit, skills for life, and no educational debt.

What is the Core Plus program and how does it connect to apprenticeships?

The Core Plus program is an intensive curriculum inspired by researchers from Harvard and MIT, created in collaboration with Boeing and other businesses. It ties directly into CTE and STEM, connecting K-12 with post-secondary learning like apprenticeship programs and exposing students to in-depth, work-based learning.

How does the speaker propose to transform the education system to better prepare students for apprenticeships?

The speaker suggests that school districts should provide coherent CTE in middle and high schools, use the Core Plus curriculum to prepare kids for apprenticeships, enroll students in youth apprenticeship programs at the age of 16, and earn credit equivalencies towards high school graduation, apprenticeship credit, and college credit.