Introducing a New Documentary: "The Tradesmen: Making an Art of Work"

July 28, 2011 - PRLog -- DEARBORN, Mich., — “Art” is defined as a superior skill learned by study, practice and observation. In the 20’s and 30s, toolmakers took great pride in their ability to measure a surface finish with a stroke of their hand. Young people, observing these craftsmen at work, were impressed enough to want to follow their lead and learn how to do the same kind of work. Today, advanced manufacturing processes have gone digital and the opportunity to observe craftsmen, first-hand, on the job less likely.

In a newly-produced social documentary produced and directed by Richard Yeagley, “The Tradesmen: Making an Art of Work,” portrays the real-life work, idiosyncrasies, and personal convictions of a multitude of working professionals, including two plumbers, two painters, a stone/brick mason, several carpenters, two auto mechanics, and numerous other craftsmen.

The film recognizes the essential contributions that these tradesmen provide and shows only a few of the many challenges they face and the problems they solve in their everyday work. Their stories are combined with academic analysis of the socioeconomic, intellectual, and philosophical aspects of modern trade work.

Today’s “new normal” in manufacturing might have a larger percentage of workers being highly-trained tradesmen. There are many students today, who when introduced to technical skills, find they have undiscovered talents and instinctual abilities. Eventually, these skills will give them a chance at a secure, well-paying job in advanced manufacturing.

Says Bart A. Aslin, chief executive officer, SME Education Foundation, “Emerging technologies have exceeded the imagination of those who wish to teach, learn and apply it. This has resulted in a cosmic shift in the workplace and this “new norm,” is causing people to rethink priorities and educate themselves and their children for this new reality. This documentary gives people a new perspective on career opportunity and workforce development.”
 
In his director’s statement Yeagley writes: “Why are such attitudes ubiquitous within our current cultural landscape? Where does the current cultural bias come from? Is it influenced by technological advances and novel opportunities in other occupations? Or opinions of limited financial prosperity in trade-work, and the potential for higher wages in other fields? Or is it inherent in the current educational curriculum and paradigm? I wanted to produce a documentary which sets out to explore the questions.”

In a recent EG conference in Monterey, Calif., Mike Rowe, Baltimore native, creator and host of the Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs,” discusses the value and innovation found in today’s trade work, which is commonly overlooked in our contemporary high-tech society. The documentary underscores the importance of seeing how intuitive knowledge and hands-on experience is applied.

Also featured in the documentary is Mike Rose, UCLA professor, Graduate School of Education – Information Studies who says, “There is a perception that if people do working class work, they’re not as sharp as the person with a white collar doing white collar work. I’m not saying everyone holds that perception, but is in the cultural air we breathe.” This perception is what the SME Education Foundation and its partners are working to change.

In a recent study the Kauffman Foundation found that in any given year, the top-performing one percent of firms is generating roughly 40 percent of all new jobs. The SME Education Foundation accelerated its efforts through relationships with this one percent of major companies to deliver its STEM-based programs and expand job growth.

In partnership with Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a national education non-profit, the Gateway Academy, a summer day camp, offers 6th-8th graders a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) curriculum.  When they reach high school, students are introduced to advanced manufacturing courses offered through PLTW’s Gateway to Technology program which includes Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM).

This year, a $150,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation is helping qualified students interested in machine operation and maintenance coursework. In addition to supporting the Haas Machining Scholarship, these dollars also funded the introduction of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Centers at 400 high schools across the country which engages other industry partners and SME Chapters.

The move is to CTE, or Career Technical Education. This is not the vocational education of old. There is no comparison. Career and Technical Education (CTE) gives high school students the chance to get a head start on preparing for college and careers. In CTE programs, students learn how core school subjects like math, science and writing are used in real-life.

As in past generations, students are given opportunity to participate in hands-on training in a chosen program and gain real world experience through job shadowing and internships. Many programs offer an opportunity to earn nationally recognized certifications allowing students to get a job to pay for college or to begin their careers.

Aslin, his board of directors representing major industry, small business, educators and associations, are committed to changing public perception of manufacturing as an industry and influencing young people to use their different gifts to the best of their ability. To that end, the Foundation continues to provide financial support with awards and scholarships, and funds project-based curricula and activities designed to motivate learning for young people.

The documentary will be part of the agenda at the Interactive Manufacturing Experience (imX) this Sept. 12-14 in Las Vegas. The event will be an unprecedented gathering of industry leaders working together to chart a new course for the future of manufacturing in America.  

About the SME Education Foundation:
The SME Education Foundation is committed to inspiring, supporting and preparing the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologists in the advancement of manufacturing education. Created by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1979, the SME Education Foundation has provided more than $31 million since 1980 in grants, scholarships and awards through its partnerships with corporations, organizations, foundations, and individual donors. Visit www.smeef.org. For information on advanced manufacturing careers visit www.CareerMe.org.  And, our award-winning website for young people, www.ManufacturingisCool.com  

Media Contacts:
Bart A. Aslin, chief executive officer, SME Education Foundation, (313) 425-3302, baslin@sme.org

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The nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to advancing manufacturing education through awards, scholarships and technology-based youth programs.