NorthJersey.com

Back in the day, some of us simply called it “shop.”

Depending on the school, district or part of the country where we grew up, shop class would be taught, maybe two or three periods a day, by some nearly retired assistant football coach, say, who might supervise young people in the art of welding, or how to change the oil in the Oldsmobile, or perhaps to fix a leaky faucet. And if there was money in the budget for a “wood shop,” students could be educated in technique and proper use of a saw and other cutting tools, and learn the safe way to cut a “2 x 4.”

In the post-World War II boom, all this was considered good, practical knowledge to have, but it didn’t necessarily translate over into “core curriculum” studies as we know them today, or what was then known as “college prep” courses.

Thankfully, those days when learning shop skills was relegated to second-class status are behind us, and we are beginning, even in our whiz-bang digital age, to place more value on these life skills, or "trades," even for students who don't have their hearts set on becoming ace mechanics.

"Learning is learning," as the saying goes.

More:Wayne high school students can rack up college credits in auto shop

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One example of the value of trade learning is on display these days thanks to a new partnership in auto shop classes between the Wayne school district and Passaic County Community College. As Philip DeVencentis of NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey reports, the “co-op has essentially built a pipeline between Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley high schools and the college.”

Students taking part in the dual enrollment program can earn up to 36 college credits in automotive technology before they even obtain their high school diplomas.

The program can be viewed as especially important just now. The non-profit American Action Forum projects that the nation could face a shortage of 765,000 workers with skills learned at trade schools and two-year colleges through 2029; the predicted shortage for New Jersey alone is 83,000 workers.

“This is just getting started,” said Kenneth Bergen, an auto tech teacher at Wayne Valley. “I think we’re going to see more kids going into the field.”

Indeed, as John Lopez, coordinator of PCCC’s dual enrollment initiatives, told the Network: “Anybody who’s ever called a plumber to their house knows how important the trades are.” Meanwhile, a Wayne Valley student who had just been tasked with mounting and wiring backup lights on the rear end of a pickup said, “That saying that ‘you learn something new every day’ really is true.”

Passaic County Community College offers dual enrollment credits at all public high schools, and several charter schools, throughout the county. If the Wayne program, which has only increased in popularity, is any indication, such cooperative learning opportunities can be game-changers.

Such programs remind us that students learn in different ways, develop a myriad of interests and often hold different dreams.

When educators find ways to merge these factors, and keep young people engaged, the students succeed at various levels and may even gain a foothold on a future career.