November 2025 Volume 7

INDUSTRY NEWS

well funded with state-of-the art equipment, highly qualified instructors, in new facilities. So why are classes cancelled due to lack of enrollment? The answer is clear. If funding continually goes to community colleges and not middle school and high school programs, there will be no pipeline to skilled trades. Students with hands-on experience working with tools, learning the nomenclature of tools and how to use them safely and effectively, they are most likely to seek CTE courses in community colleges. As for funding programs in “CTE deserts,” this is a perfect example of how to build the pipeline from the ideal starting point: middle school industrial arts. Once established, the program can expand to 9th -12th grade CTE programs with opportunities for merit-based skilled trades competitions and certifications. Steps You Can Take to Help Reconnect the Pipeline in Your Community Industry has a pivotal role to play in reconnecting the severed skilled trades education pipeline. It starts with getting to know your local CTE faculty. Creating an industry/education partnership takes time and commitment, but these professional relationships quickly make great things happen for students, CTE programs, and businesses. Getting to know your education partners requires reciprocal tours of facilities and good conversations about the future of manufacturing and the trades. It’s important to learn about new programs and support those that align with your company’s vision and culture. Starting an annual middle school workshop at your plant should involve several of your team members to teach hands-on work. Invest in middle school and high school programs by donating supplies and equipment. Join your local and state manufacturing associations to make connections that support the skilled trades education pipeline in your community. And, attend your FIA state lobby day, and federal lobby day to learn more about CTE funding and share your story of reconnecting the skilled trades education pipeline. References: i. Northeast Technical Institute. (2025, January 8). The Evolution of Trade and Tech Schools in America: Shaping the Nation’s Workforce. https://ntinow.edu/the-evolution-of-trade-and-tech-schools in-america-shaping-the-nations-workforce/ ii. Barlow, M. L. (1975, November 30). 200 years of Vocational Education, 1776-1976; the Vocational Education Age emerges, 1876 1926. American Vocational Journal. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ139040 iii. Manhattan Psychology Group. (2025, May 12). The Role of Executive Function Skills in Shaping Success. https:// manhattanpsychologygroup.com/MPG-blog/the-pivotal-role-of executive-function-skills-in-shaping-success/#:~:text=Strong%20 executive%20function%20skills%20are,Professional%20 Prowess:%20Unlocking%20Career%20Potential iv. Bonser, F. G., & Mossman, L. C. (1924). Industrial Arts for elementary schools, by Frederick G. Bonser and Lois Coffey Mossman. The Macmillan Co. v. History. SkillsUSA. (2025, September 12). https://www.skillsusa. org/who-we-are/history/ vi. Postman, N., & Riggenbach, J. (2014). Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology. Blackstone Audio, Inc. vii. Horowitz-Kraus, T. (2025, February 13). Does Screen Use Affect Early Cognitive Development?. Children and Screens. https://www. childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/does-screen-use-affect early-cognitive-development/ viii. Descourouez, M. G. (2024a, May 30). What excessive screen

time does to the adult brain | cognitive enhancement. Stanford Lifestyle | Medicine. https://longevity-stanford-edu.translate.goog/ lifestyle/2024/05/30/what-excessive-screen-time-does-to-the-adult brain/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=es&_x_tr_pto=tc ix. National Center for Education Statistics. (2024). Explore 2024 NAEP Results for Science at Grade 8 and Mathematics and Reading at Grade 12. The Nation’s Report Card | NAEP. https://nces.ed.gov/ nationsreportcard/ x. 2024-2025 Literacy Statistics. National Literacy Institute. (n.d.). https://www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com/2024-2025 literacy-statistics xi. Eberstadt, N. (2016). Men Without Work: America’s Invisible Crisis. Templeton Press. xii. Fox, M. (2018, June 19). Gaming disorder is listed by WHO. but will it make any difference in the US?. NBCNews.com. https:// www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/who-adds-gaming-disorder disease-classifications-n884291 xiii. Lauer, K. (2024, February 23). Woodshop has been disappearing from California schools for decades. here’s why One Bay Area teacher is bringing it back. East Bay Times. https://www.eastbaytimes. com/2024/02/23/woodshop-has-been-disappearing-from-california schools-for-decades-heres-why-one-bay-area-teacher-is-bringing-it back/ xiv. Chen, T.-P. (2025, March 1). The Schools Reviving Shop Class Offer a Hedge Against the AI Future - WSJ. Wall Street Journal. https://archive.is/4luZu xv. Jelniker, M. (2017, November 6). 7Everyday Hero Dave Franks Volunteers to Teach Shop Class in Brighton. Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH). https://www.denver7.com/news/7everyday-hero/7everyday hero-dave-franks-volunteers-to-teach-shop-class-in-brighton xvi. WIOA Youth Formula Program. U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/youth/wioa-formula xvii. Oregon acte. ACTE Online. (2025, October 21). https://www. acteonline.org/oregon-association-for-career-and-technical-education/

2025 Michigan Lobby Day: Ellen Campbell, Pete Campbell, Gen. Darren Werner, Adam Arb, Mike Gill, and Jeannine Kunz. Ellen Campbell is the associate for Marketing & Development at Campbell Press Repair, Lansing, Michigan.

FIA MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2025 45