Can Women Succeed in Skilled Trades Jobs? Absolutely. And the Future is Wide Open.

Intro: For years, skilled trades careers such as construction, automotive technology, welding, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work have been perceived as male-centric professions. That narrative is changing. With technician shortages, a retiring workforce, and expensive college tuition accompanied by high student loan debt, more women are recognizing the benefits of working in skilled trades. These careers offer shorter training, competitive salaries, and job security without the weight of debt associated with a college degree. Can women succeed in skilled [...]

The Technician Shortage Crisis: Causes, Consumer Impact, and Solutions for the Future

Car maintenance and repairs are common, sometimes tedious chores that most Americans have to deal with. Yet routine repairs that once inconvenienced you for a weekend now may take a week! Also, fleet vehicles wait patiently for maintenance while repair costs continue to rise. Regardless of where you live, these delays and higher prices have one common denominator: an ever-growing shortage of qualified technicians. You may not be familiar with the technician shortage phenomenon, but you might have experienced [...]

Trade School vs. College: Pros, Cons, Costs & Career Outcomes

Soaring college tuition and student debt, along with fears of AI replacing entry-level jobs, are causing this generation to reconsider their career goals. The data support these fears and have led many young people to ask, “Should I consider trade school instead of a 4-year college degree?” To answer this question, The Hourglass Foundation provides a list of pros and cons of Trade School vs. College to help you decide the right path for you. Fortune Magazine reports that [...]

Megan Laubhan

Give Now Megan Laubhan, Wichita, Kansas Field of Study: Aviation Maintenance Technology The Hourglass Tool Scholarship Winner Ever since I was a young child, I have been enamored with airplanes and the concept of flight. I started off wanting to become a pilot when I grew up, because I wanted to know the feeling of flight for myself. When I graduated from high school, I enrolled in college to actualize these dreams, but quickly learned that college [...]

Claire Uhler

Give Now Claire Uhler, York, Nebraska Field of Study: Automotive Technology Women in Auto Tech Scholarship Winner I have grown up working on and around cars all my life. My father worked in the automotive industry for several years as a certified GM technician and service manager before taking the opportunity to become an instructor for the Automotive Technology program at Southeast Community College (SCC) in Milford, NE. Over the years, my dad's influence has nurtured my love [...]

Brett Pfeil

Give Now Brett Pfeil, Alma, Nebraska Field of Study: Automotive Technology More Than One Path Scholarship Winner I chose this career path because I have always been fascinated with vehicles and the different parts that make them work. From the engine to the transmission and suspension, vehicles have always piqued my interest and helped me choose this career. My parents bought me my first pickup. It was a 77” Ford F-150 that was rusty and needed some work [...]

Shelby Wycough

Give Now Shelby Wycough, Batesville, Arkansa Field of Study: Diesel Mechanics Women Rock Trades Scholarship As a young girl growing up in a rural Arkansas community, I never imagined that my path would lead me to the world of mechanics. However, it was through my involvement in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) that I discovered my passion for this field and set my sights on a career as a diesel mechanic. Joining FFA opened doors I [...]

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