High demand for skilled trade workers around the country
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: July 12, 2012
Despite the nation's current weak job market, one area manufacturer says
there are plenty of jobs if you're looking in the right place.
Off the top tonight, Eyewitness News reporter Rachel Polansky finds out where the jobs are. She joins us live in the newsroom, Rachel it's the question on many people's minds - where are those jobs?
Joe and Elsa, for some people, the secret is right in their own 2 hands. There is high demand for skilled workers around the country. And area manufacturers say trade jobs can pay and provide a sustaining career - if you're willing to learn the skills.
"I love it. I wake up every morning happy to go to work, instead of going to school and getting homework. I like making money, I know I have a good job here," says Peter Plumley, employee at CTM.
Despite the worst job market in decades, Plumley had a job offer right out of high school - He works at CTM, a precision machining manufacturer in Frankfort. And the manager says they're always looking for new employees.
"Past year we hired 2, probably would've like about 5 with the way business has been and we're always looking for people who want to work," says John Piseck, employee at CTM.
Piseck says there's no shortage of trade jobs in the Mohawk Valley, and as you can see by this sign, he says there's actually a high demand for skilled workers.
"It's been very difficult to hire people that have any kind of skills or want to learn a trade today," says Piseck.
Some attribute the shortage due to lack of apprenticeship programs that once existed in many trades to teach young workers. But career and technical schools do exist. In fact, herkimer boces offers classes.
"They become excited about school again- because we're not just doing math science english- we're actually teaching them a trade," says Robert McGough, instructor Herkimer BOCES.
And the success rate..
"Most are all employed, very few leave here without employment," says McGough.
Pesick says the industry offers many opportunities for someone to develop their career
"I'd like to become toolmaker and really expand my horizons," says Plumley.
"Someone could come in and start not knowing much about our industry and in a few short years, grow in to be an excellent tool maker, which is really a dying art now in the state," says Piseck.
As of June 2012, the unemployment rate in the U.S. was higher than 8%. But for those willing to use there hands, there's still hope.
Off the top tonight, Eyewitness News reporter Rachel Polansky finds out where the jobs are. She joins us live in the newsroom, Rachel it's the question on many people's minds - where are those jobs?
Joe and Elsa, for some people, the secret is right in their own 2 hands. There is high demand for skilled workers around the country. And area manufacturers say trade jobs can pay and provide a sustaining career - if you're willing to learn the skills.
"I love it. I wake up every morning happy to go to work, instead of going to school and getting homework. I like making money, I know I have a good job here," says Peter Plumley, employee at CTM.
Despite the worst job market in decades, Plumley had a job offer right out of high school - He works at CTM, a precision machining manufacturer in Frankfort. And the manager says they're always looking for new employees.
"Past year we hired 2, probably would've like about 5 with the way business has been and we're always looking for people who want to work," says John Piseck, employee at CTM.
Piseck says there's no shortage of trade jobs in the Mohawk Valley, and as you can see by this sign, he says there's actually a high demand for skilled workers.
"It's been very difficult to hire people that have any kind of skills or want to learn a trade today," says Piseck.
Some attribute the shortage due to lack of apprenticeship programs that once existed in many trades to teach young workers. But career and technical schools do exist. In fact, herkimer boces offers classes.
"They become excited about school again- because we're not just doing math science english- we're actually teaching them a trade," says Robert McGough, instructor Herkimer BOCES.
And the success rate..
"Most are all employed, very few leave here without employment," says McGough.
Pesick says the industry offers many opportunities for someone to develop their career
"I'd like to become toolmaker and really expand my horizons," says Plumley.
"Someone could come in and start not knowing much about our industry and in a few short years, grow in to be an excellent tool maker, which is really a dying art now in the state," says Piseck.
As of June 2012, the unemployment rate in the U.S. was higher than 8%. But for those willing to use there hands, there's still hope.
