Honoring Skilled Trades

For years, teachers at our local schools have proudly worn college apparel on Wednesdays to inspire students and spark conversations about higher education. Inspired by this tradition, we created Trades Tuesday — a day dedicated to honoring the skilled trades.

Although tradespeople are the backbone of our communities, too often their role is overlooked. Trades Tuesday is designed to shine a spotlight on these essential careers and to affirm that pursuing a trade is a noble, respected, and vital path for our young workforce. Without them, our daily lives and modern society simply wouldn’t function.

Wearing Trades Tuesday gear brings teachers, students, and community members together to show an appreciation for the trades and ignite meaningful conversations. It’s more than just a shirt; it’s a symbol of opportunity and respect to help raise the public perception of the trades in our schools and beyond.

As we celebrate the trades, we also draw inspiration from a powerful figure in our own community’s history — Rosie the Riveter. During World War II, Rosie worked in a local shipyard here in Southwest Washington, embodying the spirit of strength, determination, and resilience. Her iconic motto, “We Can Do It,” still resonates today as we encourage both our sons and our daughters to pursue their calling to work with both their hands and minds to plan and construct the world around us.

Trades Tuesday is a reminder that the trades are for everyone — and that opportunities to build, create, and lead are open to all who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.