Black Tags

[kathy2trips]

I found out yesterday that my cousin in Colorado quit high school. Everyone is very upset. One big rule in our family was that everybody gets their diploma. He has an aptitude for building crafts and trades, but they don't even teach shop in high school anymore. He couldn't get an apprenticeship because you have to have a diploma. He's now selling RVs in Wheatridge. That's one more tradesman we don't have.

Since we seem to have specialized schools for everything from performing arts to criminal justice to health sciences, why not a junior and senior high school for building crafts and trades? I say junior high because we have to catch kids that young, or it gets more and more difficult. To hold their attention, teach them the basics using things they are already interested in: teach them subjects in school with an approach that reflects their interests. Math classes should have an emphasis on pertinent things, like geometric principles, how to figure mark-ups, percentages, square footage, sales principles etc. English classes would be more interesting if kids could learn how to write a proposal or a thank you letter to a vendor. You get the idea.

Detroit would be an ideal place for such a high school. The trade unions would probably love to be involved in such an endeavor. Wouldn't it be great for the Packard Plant to be restored and renovated into such a place? There'd be plenty of space for workshops, classrooms and warehousing for materials. And being an Albert Kahn masterpiece would be the cherry on top.

PS: Regarding the "Black Tags" reference in the original post. Me and my family are one of those families who moved from Detroit to Houston in the 1980s. My bricklayer father retired in disgust after a few years. The trade unions insured excellent work; in Texas trade unions sill do but they are not nearly as prevalent as up north.

Unfortunately, the illegal population has nearly taken over the building crafts and trades down here. Electrical and plumbing are the only exceptions. They will do the work for a fraction of what a union member requires and the work is usually substandard and shoddy. There is nothing "racist" about this remark. It is just a statement of fact.

Good luck finding an English speaking tradesman [[though their bosses can often communicate with you), and better luck finding one that won't cheat you if you're not Hispanic. Always, always get a referral. Don't come south to work in the building crafts and trades unless e-verify becomes a requirement. You'll be sadly disappointed.

I live in a house built in 1979 by a major builder that doesn't have a square corner in the whole house. The drywall taping and mudding is splotchy and bumpy. When we took the builder-grade wallpaper off, a nightmare was underneath. The brick veneer on the outside is cheap; I can chip it away with my fingernail. Every bit of wood in this house is fake, including the railings and cupboards [[originally put on crooked). Not much has changed with building today.

I would love to have the foursquare ranch house my father built in Detroit down here with me in Texas. Unique. Solid. Beautiful.

[Detroit Stylin]

Unfortunately, the illegal population has nearly taken over the building crafts and trades down here. Electrical and plumbing are the only exceptions. They will do the work for a fraction of what a union member requires and the work is usually substandard and shoddy. There is nothing "racist" about this remark. It is just a statement of fact.

Good luck finding an English speaking tradesman [[though their bosses can often communicate with you), and better luck finding one that won't cheat you if you're not Hispanic. Always, always get a referral. Don't come south to work in the building crafts and trades unless e-verify becomes a requirement. You'll be sadly disappointed.

so why focus on the workers instead of the EMPLOYERS that continue to hire them?!

[kathy2trips]

so why focus on the workers instead of the EMPLOYERS that continue to hire them?!

Just saying that the market is cornered and undercut. Unless you are an electrician or a plumber...then you need a state license and those are only available for citizens or green card holders.

[archfan]

Since we seem to have specialized schools for everything from performing arts to criminal justice to health sciences, why not a junior and senior high school for building crafts and trades?

Detroit has the A. Philip Randolph Career And Technical Center, for both high school and adult students.

[Dumpling]

Kathy2trips, did you ever consider moving the house that
your father built in Detroit down to Texas, say, via a barge?

[kathy2trips]

Kathy2trips, did you ever consider moving the house that
your father built in Detroit down to Texas, say, via a barge?

That's a joke? Right? Besides, how would I move the knotty pine paneled basement? LOL