[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Platapus

I would like to see Trade Schools receive the respect they deserve.

I fear that too many people assume that only poor students or the less capable attend Trade Schools.... as a last resort. After all, if they were capable they would go to college right?

I don't know what the solution is. But we need to find one and implement it!

You may want to check out the system in some Euro countries:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_education_system - one of the few things in my country which work reasonable well. German craftsmen still have a quite good rep in other European countries.

Here, during the apprenticeship you already get paid by the employer, not very much, usually in the range between 600-800€. Which is fair, as you already provide work, but on the other hand the apprentice isn't 5days/week at the company, has less experience and ties resources.
Our trade schools (never heard an American use the word "vocational school") are paid by the taxpayer, so contrary to the US there are no additional costs for this. Private trade schools do exist, but are not very common - most private schools here focus on college education, more money to be made there.

Originally Posted by Platapus

So just to throw the contentious grenade: Are unions helping or hurting the recognition of Trade Schools as a valuable and necessary contribution to our society?

So what's the general stance of American unions towards trade schools - and if they are opposed to it, what alternatives do they propose?

Originally Posted by Platapus

In my job, I have to look at a lot of resumes. It is amazing how different people evaluate resumes.

Take a person who has been with the same company for 20 years and is looking to relocate.

To me, this is a good thing. It shows me that he sticks with a company for the long term. I admire that in an applicant

To others, in my company, they don't like this. It shows a lack of initiative and a desire for staying in a rut.

Pretty interesting to someone looking to switch careers who had been 15 years in the same company. *shameless wink* You wouldn't love to provide feedback to someone's resumee who hasn't written one for quite a while?