Old school

[harold]

I started working on cars when i was 16,in a small town in texas.It was one of those high school things that allowed you to work and still graduate.The old dude that owned the repair shop,was very good to me and taught me a lot. Here are some of the things i learned. (#1 Hey harold go over to the tool box and bring me a BFH. Which means a Big F.....G Hammer) (#2 Hey harold,this exhaust bolt is striped out and we are going to need a blue tip wrench,so i go looking for a wrench with a blue tip.There is no blue tip wrench in the tool box, He says now bring the cutting torch over here and we will fix it! ( #3 Red rags are used for ever thing,he would have a heart attack,with this paper towel thing.) (#4 Every thing gets washed in gas or naptha ,including parts, tools,and your hands.) (#4 There is only one way to remove clutch and brake dust,-compressed air and make sure that every body in the shop gets a good taste of it.) (#5 The arc welding experience.He showed me how to weld and i thought i was laying down a pretty good weld,until he came over and said " that looks like gorilla welding- STRONG but UGLY." Things have changed over the years,but we need to help the young people with there chosen trades as much as possible,it makes a big difference in there life. Harold

[BARNEY O]

Amen,

Harold, here in cornfield America we cannot find young people that want to use their minds and hands. It is truely sad


Barney O. "Barnes Mchine Shop"

[Smart Bob]

I first started working in a gas station when I was 15 years old and was mentored by an old guy named Whitey. He taught me a lot and I went on to work in independant repair shops and in dealer service departments. I continued my education and became an Automotive Technology Professor at a community college. We had lots of students and there were jobs available to anyone who wanted to join the automotive repair industry. Yes, I can relate to blowing brake and clutch dust and arc-grinding brakes shoes and improperly disposing of waste oil, brake fluid, hot-tank liquids, carburetor cleaner, etc. I would never think of doing this now and always dispose of all hazardous waste in an approved manner. Now, it is difficult to find dedicated and interested students who want to join this profession. Most just want to play with their cars and more are interested in chatting on-line and playing on their computer. I am retired now and I am seeing all of these programs being downsized or closing. Most high schools no longer offer an autoshop. High school auto was one of my favorite classes and I owe a lot to Mr Browne from Evanston Twp. High School for what he taught me. It is just too bad that we cannot attract more young people into this field. I guess it is too costly to buy the needed hand tools and too much training and re-training for most of them. I sure hope that the Federal and State Dept. of Education will change course and realize that there are jobs in this field and incentives should be offered to re-open these programs with qualified instructors and a standardized curriculum with a strong marketing program to attract students both male and female into this industry.

[Terry Stibal]

Most of the "vocational" programs have been killed off by one thing and one thing alone: the over-emphasis on a college degree as a mark of the "useful" member of society.

In the meantime, hundreds of jobs went wanting for the lack of people willing to work with their hands. Being a carpenter may not have the cache of a job like a "software developer", but it paid (and pays) damn'd well. Plus, as mentioned above, it's a skill that's usable outside of making a living.

And, having that degree is a nice thing, but it doesn't mean that you have the skills needed to fit into a profession once you graduate. Many of the lawyers that I have used over the years freely admit that all of their time in law school was nothing more than preparation for the real learning that occurred once they were practicing with a firm.

I think that the German method of "tracking" people into appropriate professions at the secondary level is the best one to follow. True, it doesn't put everyone through college. But, it is less of a waste of money for society overall, and it fills jobs that need to be filled.

It's my opinion that draft exemption caused a vast "overbuilding" of universities and colleges, and once that source of income for them dried up, they started pushing 'college for everyone', causing the current glut of liberal arts majors with limited employment potential. Not so good for society as a whole, but very good for higher education.

[Kermit]

Great post Harold and everyone else!

I grew up in a dealership until I was about 8 years old, my dad was the service manager as well as president of the Servicemen's Guild. Once I was 9 he opened up a Paint & Body shop then a few years later he branched out to opening an auto parts store, then a large machine shop, then a gas station/repair shop. Once I hit 16 years old he sold off everything as it got too big and successful and was just too much for him to handle. I know...how many people sell their businesses because they are too busy?

Once I was in high school I enrolled in Vocational school. We had a bunch of crusty old military retirees in class along with the high school kids. There were two instructors and they were busy with the adult students. The main instructor who know my dad and knew who I was from seeing me grow up in the shops decided to put me on teaching the other high school kids - building engines etc. Finished out that class and it was just that, a class. Never left there with any sort of certification.

Fast forward a bit over 20+ years but less than 30. Last week I decided I want to go to a vocational school and take two classes to hone my skills. My very generous Uncle Sam has volunteered to pay for my classes AND also even give me a small monthly allowance so I can help pay the bills. Thursday I contacted the instructor of the local vocational college and asked if I can view the facilities, he agreed and Monday I will see it. Ironically enough I ran into him today at a small car show. The auto mechanics class will be one class I take, 1800 hours. My next class will be welding, 1200 hours. I was surprised when they informed me I would have to be "accepted" into the program. I thought the color of money was green for everyone.

Once again, great posts!

[stevet47]

I agree with everyone on here.
My shop teachers in high school were some of the most influential/best teachers I had. So much so that I followed in their footsteps and now I am lucky enough to be a Tech Ed (woodshop/drafting/etc) teacher in a school district that still realizes it is an important part of education.