Mike Rowe Agreement: A Pledge to Promote Skilled Trades

If you`re someone who values hard work, then you`ve probably heard of Mike Rowe, the host of the popular TV show “Dirty Jobs.” But what you may not know is that Rowe has been a vocal advocate for skilled trades for years. In fact, he even created what`s known as the “Mike Rowe Agreement,” a pledge to promote skilled trades and the people who work in them.

The agreement is named after Mike Rowe, but it`s not just about him. It`s about a movement to change the way we think about work and the people who do it. The goal is to shift the focus away from traditional college degrees and towards careers in skilled trades. Rowe believes that there are millions of jobs out there that are waiting to be filled, but there aren`t enough people with the necessary skills and training to do them.

So what is the Mike Rowe Agreement exactly? It`s a simple pledge that anyone can take to show their support for skilled trades. Here`s what it says:

“I am a member of the growing group of people who believe that work is a good thing, and that skilled labor is every bit as honorable, respectable, and worthy of our admiration as any degree. I believe that we need to take a closer look at the opportunities that exist in the trades, and recognize that college is not the only path to success.”

That`s it. By taking the Mike Rowe Agreement, you`re saying that you believe in the value of hard work and skilled trades. You`re also making a commitment to promote these careers and the people who work in them.

Why is this important? For one thing, there`s a huge demand for skilled tradespeople in the United States right now. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were almost 8 million job openings in the skilled trades in 2020. These jobs pay well and offer stable career paths, but they`re often overlooked by young people who are told that college is the only path to success.

Rowe believes that this mentality is harmful and unnecessary. He points out that many college graduates are struggling to find work in their fields, while skilled tradespeople are in high demand. By promoting skilled trades, Rowe hopes to open up more opportunities for young people and help them find fulfilling careers.

The Mike Rowe Agreement isn`t just a pledge – it`s a movement. Rowe has created a foundation, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, to help provide scholarships and training opportunities for people who want to pursue careers in the skilled trades. The foundation also runs a website, mikeroweWORKS.org, which provides resources and information about skilled trades careers.

So if you`re someone who believes in the value of hard work and skilled trades, consider taking the Mike Rowe Agreement. It`s a simple way to show your support and help promote a worthy cause. And who knows – you might even inspire someone else to consider a career in the trades.