HOT TOPICS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Erin Albrecht, J&R Tile, San Antonio, Texas – Nick’s right. If we don’t discuss different career path- ways and spark the interest, they don’t know it exists. I’m from a rural community, and my favorite class besides athletics was working on an arc welder in shop class. I was my daddy’s little bucket girl growing up, so learning different skills with my hands was something to be proud of where I’m from. But it is frowned upon and considered blue-collar and second class at schools that do not offer skilled trades. Phil Green, P.G.C. Construction, Gilberts, Ill. – Erin, we can change that perspective. Value all work, respect all workers. I can see you already do, and thank you. I remember as a kid going “garbage picking” and finding a TV or some- thing that I would take apart just to figure out how it worked. I learned how to use hand tools and a basic idea of what certain parts were for in machines. I was about six years old then. Erin Albrecht, J&R Tile, San Antonio, Texas – Lack of training and education. The big picture – and the deeper underlying issue – is that they are not taught to strug- gle in school. Reading instructions and not having answers handed to them is not their fault, it’s the education system’s fault as well as enabling parents. What is most puzzling is that this generation has access to smart phones, and liter- ally a world of information at their fingertips. Parents yelling at teach- ers, funding provided by atten- dance – glorified babysitters doing the best they can with little or no support with a heavy influence on a college-going culture, which we all know is big business. Don Hutcheson, Hutcheson Tile & Stone, Eagle River, Ala. – Or the over- all disdain for skilled labor... Solomon Clark, The Builder, Groton, Conn. – That’s it right there. Darin Shocker, Dutchess CountyTile, Hopewell Junction, N.Y. –Skilled labor is going to be a huge problem in years to come. Most young people would rather cold call for telemarketing companies for 10 bucks an hour than get dirty and learn a trade. It’s a shame. Steve Brace, SB Flooring, Machesny Park, Ill. – Who wouldn’t? I’d rather make calls all day 68 TileLetter | October 2017