‘Dirty Jobs’ host Rowe cites skills gap at Cedar Rapids conference

Mike Rowe is concerned about what he sees as a widening skills gap across the country.

Rowe, host of the Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs, spoke Wednesday at the Iowa Association of Business and Industry's Taking Care of Business Conference in Cedar Rapids. The conference featured other speakers including Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Aaron Thomas, an Aplington-Parkersburg teacher and coach.

Rowe spoke about a growing lack of workers qualified to work in skilled trades, such as welding and manufacturing, contending it was a factor in the recent economic downturn.

At the height of the recession, businesses Rowe visited around the country had 'Help Wanted” signs in the door, despite the growing unemployment rate.

Rowe also pointed to the growing $1.6 trillion in student loans as a hardship for the overall economy. He said students should consider other options before pursuing higher education at its high costs - something that has continued to grow rapidly.

HRowe said skilled trades jobs provide ample opportunities, but aren't as well promoted by parents and guidance counselors. According to a 2012 study by Deloitte LLP, there are roughly 600,000 skilled manufacturing jobs going unfilled.

Rowe said students preparing for life after high school are often pushed onto the college path, with all other jobs falling into a 'alternate, subordinate, catchall consolation prize.”

And while the skills gap was 40 years in the making, Rowe said it could take an additional 40 years to fix. He said it will need a national campaign to reduce the stereotypes and stigmas associated with trade jobs, saying workers can be successful and have good careers in a skilled trade.

'We talk about the skills gap like it's a mystery,” Rowe said. 'It's a reflection of what we value.”