Early today, on a program called America’s Newsroom, I was being interviewed about my foundations ongoing attempts to reinvigorate the skilled trades. At the end of the interview, which I’ve attached, the anchor played a short clip of you giving a speech, wherein you posed the same question I’ve been asking for the last seventeen years: “Why do we keep encouraging our kids to borrow whatever it takes to buy an expensive four-year degree, when so many other excellent options are at their disposal?” (Or something to that effect.)
When the anchor asked for my reaction, I said, “Amen,” and then, somewhat cheekily, I invited you to give me a call, so we might discuss a new campaign in Texas, which proves that college is not in fact, the best path for the most people. In the campaign, I introduce viewers to six-figure, AI-proof jobs currently available in Texas that don’t require a four-year degree, and a host of regular Americans who who are prospering by doing them. Last month, my foundation awarded over $5 million in work ethic scholarships, to help train the next generation of skilled workers. Next year, I’d like to double that. If the campaign in Texas works, (and it will,) I’d like to take it to every state.
Wanna help?
Obviously, I thought better of sharing my number on live television, but wanted to let you know that several people in your inner circle know how to reach me, should you be inclined to do so. Howard Lutnick and I have chatted about the need for a national effort to reinvigorate the trades. He has my number. So does Linda McMahon at Education, Kelly Leoffler at the SBA, and Pete Hegseth, over at The Department of War. All of them are familiar with our efforts at mikeroweWORKS, and all believe in the importance of making a more persuasive case for the opportunities at hand. Thus, all are hereby invited to share my digits with your office, should you like to connect.
To be clear, I don’t believe the government can close America’s skills gap. This will take more than an executive order, or a traditional flight of public service announcements. Frankly, I don’t believe the gap will ever close completely, but we can narrow it dramatically, and I think you guys have a critical role to play. Not a week goes by that my foundation doesn’t hear from the leader of an essential industry, desperate to find people willing to learn a useful skill and go to work. We need to reinvigorate the trades, and we need to do it quickly. If you and your team are on a similar path, we’d be honored to collaborate.
Here’s a look at what launched to today in Texas. It will grow a little more every day. http://mikeroweworks.org/texas/