DETROIT – Detroit was built by the hands of skilled tradespeople. Their dedication and skill have powered our homes, shaped our skyline, and kept our city thriving.
Today, we salute these unsung heroes who do the hard work that keeps Detroit moving with our new “Trade Up” mission, powered by Carhartt.
As a generation of master craftsmen and women prepare to retire, we face a critical moment. There’s a well-documented gap between the number of available trade jobs and the number of people who want to go into the trades.
But this is also an opportunity.
Trade Up is here to elevate these careers -- showing that they’re not just essential, but also financially rewarding.
By celebrating and elevating the important and critical work the trade men and women of Detroit do, and by showing there’s a pathway to a successful and lucrative career in the trades, we started a station-wide program to close the gap. We call it “Trade Up.”
Our efforts will focus on telling stories on a consistent basis on all our platforms about the opportunities and programs that exist for young people just starting out or others looking for a career change to get into the trades.
We’ll also work to show how technology has changed the trades and how there are careers that exist that are largely unknown.
Tradespeople can earn while they learn, avoid college debt, and gain skills that will always be in demand.
It’s more than just a job. It’s a chance to build a future and join a community of proud professionals.
Local 4 will serve as the connector between the opportunities both with local companies and with schools to help chart a pathway for the people of Southeast Michigan to build their careers.
Click here to find career opportunities in the trades.
With rising costs of four-year universities, we’ll also focus on those opportunities where you earn while you learn.
If a local business or school has programs like these, we want to know about them. Please email us to let us know.
Each month, we will also award one individual -- the “Ace of Trades” -- who’s dedicated his or her life to a trade job or program. This will happen on our lifestyle program, Live In The D.
Here’s the message from Local 4’s Kimberly Gill, a former truck driver who is passionate about the trades: