GOP debate fact check: Was Marco Rubio right about welders vs. philosophers?

[Kilgore]

42. In my world, Rubio is right

I live in Washington and my work puts me in pulp, paper, chemical, and energy facilities every day.

From first hand experience Rubio was right. Skilled welders, pipe fitters, millwrights, and industrial electricians are in short supply. One paper mill had two billboards on the interstate advertising openings including apprenticeships.

These are not low paying jobs. An apprentice millwright is around $22 an hour and a journeyman is well north of $30. Both have full benefits. From my discussions with the mills, the problem is finding people who can simultaneously do the work, pass the drug tests, and have good reading and writing skills.

I tell high school kids to strongly consider the trades instead of college. For the college bound ones my advice is mechanical or electrical engineering. Engineers who understand robotics and solar panels are common, but ones who can deal with boilers, steam turbines, generators and high voltage systems are few and far between. Seems our colleges have forgotten there still is a need for folks who understand a mollier diagram.