Tim Winkeler: College is not for absolutely everyone. Vocational careers transform life, also.

With August on us, Maine high university and faculty students are making ready for the fall semester.

For lots of of them, college will in fact be the stepping stone to a prosperous profession just after graduation. But some substantial schoolers aren’t bought on faculty, and that is good, way too.

There are diverse paths to achievement, and employers aren’t just hiring English and sociology majors. Maine is a welcoming residence for work creators and all forms of work seekers.

For some, the very best route is school. Sadly, for many years, the alluring notion of college has driven quite a few individuals absent from the vocational college route that might have been a greater match.

Each and every large schooler does not necessarily have to have to attend a liberal arts university. Some people today are greater off pursuing a trade — starting to be an electrician, plumber, chef or auto mechanic.

And there should not be a stigma associated with these professions. The point out of Maine requirements far more tradespeople, not less.

There is a labor scarcity in Maine, and there is advantage in producing a dwelling doing the job with one’s hands. In today’s economy, businesses are desperate to uncover employees. The condition of Maine is now shelling out extra than $12 million on apprenticeship courses, partnering with businesses, nonprofits and schools to advertise the trades. All those occupations are worthwhile in much more methods than one particular — from the expertise of assisting other folks to the fiscal compensation and profession paths available.

Glance at it this way: VIP at this time operates just about 70 shops across New England, employing about 600 persons. We present these staff with not only an income and an pleasant get the job done atmosphere, but also unique alternatives to climb the job ladder. Every dollar counts, and upward profession mobility allows folks to commit, preserve and invest even far more — not to mention the pride linked with earning promotions at operate.

Our car technicians practical experience upward mobility on a frequent foundation. Starting up off at $16 to $19 for every hour, VIP experts can rapidly raise their earnings to $50,000 or $60,000 per yr. It’s attainable to crystal clear the $100,000 threshold, as well, specially through classroom and fingers-on instruction, moreover marketplace certifications that reveal major-line expertise.

The trades alter people and area communities for the greater.

Believe about how several lives will be impacted positively, and we’re only a single business. Throughout Maine, plenty of enterprises are contributing to their communities in optimistic techniques, although guaranteeing workforce and their family members a constant profits stream.

I urge persons to not ignore the trades. We can in no way search down on electricians, plumbers or mechanics. To the contrary, our culture relies upon on individuals really hard-operating persons who make every day lifetime less complicated. Specially with persons driving much more usually, heading on more time street outings, and seeking for larger gasoline mileage, vehicle mechanics and other industry experts in their respective fields become really indispensable.

As the slide semester approaches, we can celebrate Maine’s significant schoolers, college or university pupils, and the recent graduates entering the workforce. At the very same time, let’s celebrate the Mainers attending vocational educational institutions and turning out to be the up coming technology of gurus in the trades.

Our financial system requires every single and each and every just one of them.

Tim Winkeler serves as president and CEO of VIP Tires & Assistance, which is based mostly in Auburn.