Most Skilled Trade Instructors Unaware of Succession Plan for Their Programs

The results of a new survey by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools found that 52% of skilled trade instructors do not know if their school/district has a plan in place to find a replacement for them and maintain their program when they leave their position.

An additional 21 percent said there is no such plan.

The survey, conducted in January, received more than 500 responses from high school instructors across the country.

Additionally, the survey noted that 58% of the instructors said they plan to leave or retire from teaching in the next 10 years, including 6% who will do so after this year.

Reflecting on the survey results, HFTS noted, “There is a lack of preparation to maintain excellent skilled trades programs once a teacher moves on. This is an urgent issue because more than 50% of respondents said they plan to leave teaching in the next 10 years. These results reinforce the need for increased succession planning so students don’t lose access to training that will prepare them for post-secondary and career opportunities in the trades.”