Opinion: Workforce Development - Transitioning athletes to techletes
It disappoints me to see all of those dreamers on American Idol say I sing because it's my passion and they will never make what they could make in advanced manufacturing careers nor the social impact. Pop culture doesn't celebrate these critical manufacturing job our society depends on. Passion is not what you get out but what you put in. Younger generations need to realize they have not been properly trained or exposed to what they can become while in school.
We have to start mentoring more about the real prosperous options than what they see on TV or celebrated on the news. For your own benefit, take classes that teach skills that are in high demand with high earning potential, like machining, welding, electrical, plumbing, and programmable logic controllers. Please don't be intimidated by them because you don't understand or don’t have friends taking these courses now.
Employers are so desperate to hire talent that they are raiding these classes and hiring students before they even finish. More athletes need to become techletes. This concept was inspired from a conversation I had with former Lexington Senior High School Athletic Director, Ronnie Beverly. He was frustrated at seeing cycles of poverty perpetuated by generations of star athlete who are so singularly focused on athletics they never developed other skills that would enable them to take on lucrative jobs in the future. They get stuck in menial work and later teach their children about athletics; omitting job skills.
After that deep conversation with Beverly, I suggested coaches need to not only prepare students to compete in athletics but also build bridges to other viable career options. Teach in practice if they can read a playbook, they can also read electrical schematics, blueprints and encourage them to work in area manufacturers. Set up tours of area businesses. Host employers to speak at practice and to discuss the skills they are building in athletics directly translate to their success in advanced manufacturing.
Sadly, most athletes will never be compensated for all of the sweat and effort they put into high school athletics and most feel lost after their playing days are over. We need to make sure better pathways are created to turn athletes into techletes so more rise out of poverty.
For even those out of school, enroll in Davidson-Davie Community College, Guilford Technical Community College, Forsyth Tech, Randolph Community College or any of the other commutable community colleges. Being in the class not only gives you the credentials needed to get hired in upwardly mobile jobs but can connect you to decision makers and influencers that can get you into life changing careers.
