Why Trades Matter More Than You Think
Growing up, I saw firsthand how important skilled trades are to our communities and families. My dad coached soccer and worked in stockbroking, but I spent a lot of my own time learning and working with my hands—from helping out at my parents’ childcare center to washing and detailing cars at a dealership. Over time, I realized something important: trades like auto detailing, maintenance, and other hands-on jobs don’t get nearly the respect they deserve.
There’s a quiet dignity in doing work that’s real and tangible. When you fix a car, clean a space, or build something from scratch, you create value that’s obvious. You see the difference you make. Yet, for some reason, society often pushes young people toward “white collar” careers, while blue collar work gets overlooked or even looked down on. That’s wrong, and I want to explain why.
The Roots of Respect
In my family, respect was earned through hard work, no matter what the job was. My mom was a teacher, and my dad was in stockbroking, but both of them respected the blue collar workers around them. My dad coached soccer teams I was on, and those championship teams taught me about teamwork, discipline, and leadership. But the people who cleaned the fields, maintained the buildings, or drove the buses mattered just as much. They kept everything running.
Working at my parents’ childcare center, I did maintenance and helped out with cleaning and organizing. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was necessary. If the building wasn’t safe and clean, none of the kids or teachers could do their jobs well. I learned early on that every role counts. The pride that comes from doing those jobs well is just as real as any office paycheck.
Skills You Can’t Learn in a Classroom
You can read about business, marketing, or engineering all day in a classroom, but the skills you develop through trades are different—and just as valuable. When I took a car tinting class in Portland or studied culinary arts at Forest Park, I was learning hands-on skills that require precision, patience, and creativity.
These jobs teach you how to solve problems quickly, adapt on the fly, and pay attention to details that matter. Whether it’s spotting a tiny scratch on a car or knowing exactly how to season a dish, these are talents that don’t come from textbooks. They come from experience, sweat, and sometimes frustration. But the payoff is real — a job well done, and a customer or family who’s grateful.
The Misunderstood Value of Hard Work
There’s a misconception that blue collar work is “easy” or “low skill,” and nothing could be further from the truth. Working on a car all day might look simple, but it demands focus, physical stamina, and knowledge about complex systems. I’ve worked as a porter, detailing cars and handling other responsibilities at dealerships. I see the work it takes, and I respect every minute of it.
Also, trades are often the backbone of small businesses and local economies. They create jobs, keep communities functioning, and teach younger generations practical skills. Without these jobs, things break down fast — literally and figuratively. Respecting this work means recognizing its importance in keeping the world turning.
Why Society Needs to Shift Its View
Too many young people feel pressured to chase degrees and corporate jobs because that’s what’s been sold as the “right” path. Meanwhile, trades are pushed aside, even though there are great opportunities and careers there. The truth is, skilled trades can provide stable income, job security, and satisfaction in knowing you’re creating something valuable every day.
If we want strong communities and balanced economies, we need to value trades more. That means schools should offer more programs for hands-on learning. Parents should support kids who want to pursue these paths. And businesses need to highlight and celebrate the people who keep operations running smoothly behind the scenes.
Teaching My Kids What I Know
As a father, I want my kids to understand the dignity in all kinds of work. Whether they become athletes, teachers, or tradespeople, the important thing is they learn to respect effort and take pride in what they do. I show them by example — whether I’m detailing a car, playing basketball with them, or just taking care of the family dog, I want them to see that honest work matters.
I also want them to know it’s okay to be hands-on, to get dirty, and to learn practical skills. In a world that’s always pushing for more screen time and less physical work, it’s important they know there’s value in fixing things, building things, and caring for the things we own.
Blue Collar with a Big Picture
The work I do might not make headlines or win awards, but it has meaning. Detailing cars, supporting my family, volunteering with animal rescues — it all fits together into a bigger picture. It’s about being responsible, contributing, and showing up every day.
Blue collar work deserves more respect because it builds the foundation others stand on. It teaches humility, pride, and perseverance. It’s honest work with real results. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So here’s my message: let’s stop looking down on trades and start appreciating the skilled people who do them. Because when you do, you lift up communities, families, and the very fabric of everyday life. That’s something worth respecting.