The Lost Art of Shop Classes

Written By: Chris Carmanica

Once upon a time, in a land of bright minds, 

Where schools were castles, and knowledge entwined, 

There lived young lad and lasses, with tools in their hand, 

Dreaming of fixing, and building the land.

But alas, in this kingdom, a change did unfold, 

The shop classes vanished, their stories untold. 

No more did the hammers and saws sing their song, 

The clang of the metal, the wood’s fragrant throng.

The students were guided to books and to tests, 

Their hands left idle, their skills put to rest.

The kingdom’s wise rulers, with good hearts but blind, 

Forgot the importance of crafts of all kinds.

Years passed, and the kingdom, once sturdy and grand, 

Found cracks in its walls, and leaks in its land. 

The maintenance wizards, now fewer and old, 

Struggled to keep up with tasks manifold.

The pipes they did burst, the lights they did flicker, 

The calls for repairs grew thicker and thicker. 

But where were the young ones, the eager apprentices? 

Lost to the pages of academic defenses.

The kingdom soon realized, with a sorrowful sigh, 

That shop classes’ absence had left them awry. 

For in the heart of each young girl and boy, 

Was a spark for creation, a hands-on joy.

So they called back the classes, the tools, and the trades, 

To teach the young dreamers, the builders, the aides. 

And the kingdom once more, with hammers and nails, 

Built a future of strength, with hands that prevailed.

And thus, dear reader, the moral is clear, 

In every young heart, a craftsman is near. 

Nurture their talents, their skills, and their art, 

For a kingdom’s true strength lies in each beating heart.

There are many valuable trades that could be taught in schools to prepare students for a variety of careers. Here are some examples:

1. Carpentry: Teaching students how to work with wood, build structures, and create furniture.

2. Electrical Work: Covering the basics of electrical systems, wiring, and safety; troubleshooting electrical, especially in appliances, is a lost art.

3. Plumbing: Focusing on installing and repairing water systems, pipes, and fixtures.

4. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): Training students to install and maintain heating and cooling systems.

5. Automotive Technology: Teaching the skills needed to repair and maintain vehicles.

6. Computer-Aided Drafting and Manufacturing: Training students in the use of software to design and manufacture products.

These trades not only provide practical skills but also open up numerous career opportunities for students who may not be interested in traditional academic paths.

Which trade do you think would be most beneficial for students to learn? What as an industry can we do to help school age children learn these dying arts? Can we teach what is not being taught in our schools right where these children live, in their very own apartment communites? Maybe we can help train the next wizards of maintenance using the wise wages at our sites and bring the trades back to the lands.

Drop me a message. beyondtheworktales@gmail.com