College isn’t for everyone. The construction industry offers great careers — debt-free

Getting to work

The construction industry has a skilled workforce shortage of 650,000 and desperately needs new talent. For those who pursue careers in the industry, it offers a way to achieve career dreams while accumulating little to no college debt.

College is not for everyone and doesn’t need to be. Construction industry associations have established “earn-while-you-learn” programs to train the workforce of the future. Apprentices earn competitive wages, receive classroom and on-the-job education and secure industry-recognized credentials that equip them with real experience so their earnings and career potential grow.

Craft professionals can earn a living while in school and set themselves up for a well-paying career with limitless potential — all debt-free.

Students can find more information on these programs at Associated Builders and Contractors chapters. The industry welcomes all. ABC works with hundreds of organizations to attract and retain talent exiting other industries or the military, reentering citizens and those pursuing citizenship.

Construction offers a debt-free opportunity to pursue your dreams, restoring America’s infrastructure and building the places where we live, work, play and learn.

- Ben Stallings, President, FatBoy Electric, Kansas City

Kindess given

I want to send my appreciation to two kind women whom I recently observed assisting an older man suffering from dehydration.These women purchased water for and helped the gentleman to his car.

After inquiring, I discovered the women were Missouri state Reps. Patty Lewis and Emily Weber.

It’s nice to know there are good, kind-hearted public servants.

- Dallas Ziegenhorn, Fairway

Make them nobody

Gun control, mass shootings and the elephant in the room no one will talk about that is actually driving mass shootings: taking mentally unbalanced unknowns and turning them into nationally known names. The news media are a large reason for the increase in these crimes, giving attention to nobodies and making them famous.

Guns were here hundreds of years without the mass shooting plague. Giving national recognition to mass shooters plants the idea into mentally disturbed minds. The media need more socially responsible manners.

Gun control laws, background checks, red flag laws — do you think someone planning on shooting people cares? Criminals will buy a gun illegally, steal one, borrow one or find another way around laws to get national fame and attention.

We should pass laws forbidding news media from divulging shooters’ names, pictures or likenesses. Give their ages, genders, behaviors, writings and so on — just nothing identifying killers. Make them nonpersons, no fame or notoriety. Suck the purpose out of their goals and desires.

This is a mental health issue that gun control laws will not, cannot, nor ever will solve. Laws must address directly mental health problems.

- Allen R. Moore, Joplin

Answer this

A simple, serious question for our senators from Kansas and Missouri: Political party loyalty aside, why specifically do you vote against tighter controls for assault weapons? Specifically?

- Joe McMillian, Olathe

Know neighbors

Recently, one of my neighbors was kidnapped from her home at gunpoint, driven to an ATM, forced to withdraw money, then driven back to her house, where she was raped in her car on the street in front of her home. She had the presence of mind to negotiate her way out of the car and run to a neighbor’s house for protection.

The part of her story that I am focusing on is the fact she knew her neighbors and was able to enlist their help. Please take the time to get to know your neighbors and share phone numbers. Be aware of your surroundings. Peek outside every once in a while, and if you notice something amiss, call a neighbor. It could be nothing, or as in this case it could be something.

Prayers to my neighbor. Take care of one another.

- Leasa M. Caron, Kansas City

Too many farewells

The year’s not even half over and already 2022 has been a tough one grappling with that old demon, time: My accountant retired. My attorney retired. And now Gary Lezak! (May 8, 8A, “Meteorologist Lezak to retire after 30 years at KSHB 41”)

Thank goodness my dentist and doctor are young.

- Judie Becker, Leawood

This story was originally published June 10, 2022 at 5:00 AM.