@alsancle 100%.

@alsancle 
I was incredibly lucky to have some great metal shop and drafting teachers in high school.
We need to teach kids the basics of mechanics, machining and welding again. I even learned a bit of mold making and foundry work.

My friend who is my age and getting ready for retirement is a blacksmith and he's taken up teaching. He had a 17 year-old student in his shop the other day who had never swung a hammer before.

@ShawnG  We are in complete agreement.  In the US, at least where I am the have shut down the shop classes that were in every HS.  It is a shame.  You clearly had some great teachers.

@alsancle 
I wouldn't have graduated without metalwork, drafting and mechanics classes in school.
Not every student learns the same way and not everyone is suited for the same job.
All work is valid. We need plumbers, linesmen, mechanics and machinists as much as we need doctors, lawyers, programmers and accountants.

@ShawnG My thoughts exactly. I went to a regional technical high school which had 11 different trades that you tried out in freshman year and then made your final pick. I’m glad that I did. We still work with the instructors in the auto body shop to try to find any students with potential. Unfortunately, it’s getting more and more difficult. All of the schools are fighting over students to keep their numbers up and get funding. That has made the tech schools a bit of a dumping ground. It’s sad.