"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette.
Higher education…It's always been the main path to success.
But in today's economy, some degrees just don't translate into the kinds of jobs they used to.
Maybe it's time for students and parents to consider new educational directions.
Degrees that translate to real jobs… ones that pay quite well.
Now here are just a few opportunities we've found in our area….
Siemens Energy just unveiled its new state-of-the-art plant here in Charlotte.
It's the most advanced gas turbine facility in the world.
Over the past year, they've created 700 full-time jobs, with 400 more to come.
To make sure they have enough skilled workers, Siemens has partnered with Central Piedmont Community College and
UNC Charlotte to design classes for their factory and engineering jobs.
In Rock Hill, the Applied Technology Center just received a $50,000 grant to buy new training equipment.
They teach high school students how to sand, buff and paint cars.
When they graduate, they'll have trained on the same equipment body shops are currently using.
Skilled painters and auto-body repair technicians can make 70 to 80 thousand dollars a year.
And just outside Rock Hill in Catawba, Super Metals is looking for welders and fitters.
The American Welders Society says the pay range for these jobs runs from 37 to 87 thousand dollars a year.
These are just a few examples.
But the bottom line is that career opportunities still do exist.
You just might have to look in a different direction.
Tell us what YOU think. SpeakOut@wbtv.com.
