We are all worried about the economic turmoil that America is currently going through, millions have already lost their jobs, and Washington is acting like a ”deer in the headlights.” Everyone is facing the hardest challenges in decades. But ever since the policymakers lost their way, everyone else is free to keep the new vision clear.

Let’s start back at the beginning. America is the best nation because of the liberty and freedom that has been fought for, and because the freedom and liberty fueled the creativity, innovation and enterprise that are very common in the U.S. These qualities have led to the industries that have helped to feed the world, invented many miracle drugs to save numerous lives, and created amazing technology that is going to increase the quality of life in the few generations. All of these successes have depended fully on the skills of America’s workforce with the knowledge to create and invent things that are better for everyone.

The average of the skilled workers of America is 55 years old; as a result of this average, there is going to be a big shortage of almost 10 million skilled workers by the time that we get to 2020. With a number this big, America’s core asset–which is the industrial strength–hangs out in the balance, just waiting for the slightest wind to blow.

Being skilled in the work that you do is essential. Without any skilled workers, everything would just stop working. It is sad that some people in Hollywood make it seem like workers who are skilled are also shifty and unreliable–which is certainly not how people who work are actually like in real life.

America needs around 10 million more skilled jobs by the year 2020. Without any skilled jobs, then the companies are going to close, the entrepreneurs are going to fade, and all of the communities are going to just wither away.

A huge part of America’s freedom is freedom of choice. It’s definitely a challenge to make the right choice about careers and post-secondary education in a widely complex world. When it comes to career paths and education, it is no longer one size fits all, it’s something different entirely. We have to continue to do a better job of keeping the younger generation’s spirits happy so that they can fully consider all of their post-secondary school options, that way they do not accidently overlook all of the benefits of the careers in the skilled trades.

More and more skilled jobs are requiring both college and technical education and training in that certain area–plus the pay is really good with all three of those things. Cultural traditions and the government are limiting access to these opportunities, so we must step and stop this to make these opportunities available.