Shop Rat Foundation (Chris Salow)

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Interests

General
Creating a community of people dedicated to the Shop Rat Cause!! We are interested in creating Shop Rat Education Programs throughout the nation. We are also interested in supporting the youth financially to further their education. We are interested in inspiring the next generation of innovators!
Music
Shop Rats are the backbone of America. We are in every city of the United States making sure that things operate smoothly. We build and invent the products you use everyday. We not only turn the wrench but we make it. We work on the assembly lines and we design and construct them as well. We are everywhere and we are talented and strong. We are intelligent and creative. We are proud to be Shop Rats and we are tough! Come be a part of our family of Shop Rats and show America that you're proud to be a Shop Rat. We believe that there are two kinds of people in this world "Those who are Shop Rats and those who benefit from Shop Rats." Lets us band together to promote American workers and the products we build everyday. * A Shop Rat is a skilled craftsman capable of fine works and is worthy of the title "Artisan." * A Shop Rat is willing to roll up his sleeves and show initiative. * His deeds speak for themselves. * A Shop Rat enjoys a challenge. * A Shop Rat is a problem solver, not a procrastinator. * A Shop Rat has honor, intelligence, curiosity, and imagination. * A Shop Rat realizes that every day is an opportunity to learn. * A Shop Rat is the teacher and the student. * A Shop Rat is someone you can rely on. * This nation was built by the hard work of Shop Rats. * Shop Rats—Seldom Seen but Always There!
Movies
Shop Rat Educational Classes The Shop Rat Foundation is dedicated to offering hands on skilled trade programs to our youth and generating the next generation of Shop Rats. The Shop Rat Foundation created the Shop Rat Education Program, a private afterschool and weekend program that teaches local middle school students many skills in skilled trades along with key skills in math, science, team work, work ethic and employability. We recognize the need to develop well planned programs that provide an opportunity to expose young Shop Rats to a variety of careers that utilize their minds and their hands. We are in our second year of classes and are supported by many industrial and educational organizations. Our teachers are developing the curriculum to be accredited by the State of Michigan. Our mission is to expand our educational programs and provide a model for similar groups across the nation. The Shop Rat Educational Programs are conducted in a classroom environment that teaches safety, work ethic, teamwork, manufacturing techniques, and actual hands on experiences in a shop environment with the added "cool" factor that only Shop Rat can provide. We use ?cool? projects such as custom motorcycle choppers and full size hovercrafts to gain and keep interest from our students who are living in a technological world much different that the hands-on generations before. Along with traditional hands-on training we focus heavily on employability and team work skills. Each class we present a new career to the students in the Skilled Trade Industry called the Shop Rat Job of the Week. We review careers such as plumbing, masonry, engineering, fabrication etc. Along with weekly overviews we also give lessons on work ethic and team work.
Television
Why Do We Need Shop Rat Programs? Most schools throughout the nation have removed Shop Classes from the curriculum that taught students vital hands on skills and created interest for Skilled Trade careers. Students have lost interest in hands on hobbies as the youth of our nation are becoming more and more reliant on technology and computers and using their hands less and less. The perception of hands-on careers has been negative or "less desirable" to the youth of our nation. This negative perception is contributing to the current shortage of skilled workers and with the baby boomers beginning to retire, the skilled trades industry needs programs like this to create the next generation of skilled workers. The Washington Trade Group predicts that 10 Million baby boomers will be retiring from skilled positions. Who will be filling these positions? Who will be building the engine for your next car? Who will you call when your furnace breaks down? Who will build the addition to your house? There might still be someone to do these duties, but since these positions will be rare, the costs of these services will increase because of the supply of workers.. Many say that these positions are going overseas, but, are you going to send your furnace overseas to get it fixed, or are you going to have the addition to your house shipped here from overseas? Of course not, this is why we need to teach the next generation these skills. "Skilled Labor Shortages will cost individual companies an average of 50 million dollars over the next 5 years". ?Advanced Technology Services Not only will we have shortages in labor, but the customers of retailers that market to hands on consumers will be affected. Popular Home Improvement companies will be negatively affected because of the loss of interest in hands on hobbies. This is an epidemic that will affect the whole nation. Join us in tackling this issue to keep America Alive!
Books
Don't Believe Us? Take a look at the news stories explaining the need for programs like Shop Rat! U.S. manufacturers getting desperate for skilled people www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2006-12-05-skilled-workers-shortage_x.htm Worker shortage in the making? www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=307642 Detroit seen facing a skilled labor shortage www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10097038/ Survey says skilled worker shortage to cost millions www.plantservices.com/industrynews/2005/286.html Manufacturing careers campaign expanding across America www.execdigital.com/Manufacturing-careers-campaign-expanding-across-America_510.aspx Working To End Manufacturing's Labor Shortage www.mmsonline.com/articles/0802pw.html Hot Job: Skilled Workers, Tradesmen are needed more than ever curriculum-issues.suite101.com/article.cfm/hot_jobs_skilled_workers Education in skilled trades leads to good jobs www.tcpalm.com/news/2007/sep/21/ircc/ Fix Economy with Manufacturing Jobs www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/OPINION02/801160351/1068/OPINION
Heroes
Shop Rats of the past that have made the world what it is today. We need to hold an undying gratitude to these men and women that have built the world around us and the future innovators of this Nation!

Details

Status: Single
Zodiac Sign: Libra

Networking

Anyway to get the word out about Shop Rat!

Blurbs

About me:

We are a 501 (c) 3 non profit charitable organization dedicated to offering hands-on skilled trade education to our youth and creating the next generation of proud skilled workers and citizens (Shop Rats). Our Mission is to: 1. To promote and protect the future of the skilled craftsman and citizens (Shop Rats.) 2. Establish education and training programs for middle school and secondary education students. 3. Provide financial assistance to young Shop Rats seeking advanced training at recognized apprentice programs and/or accredited colleges. In Fall of 2006 the Shop Rat Foundation began its first program to pursue its mission called the Shop Rat Education Program. The Shop Rat Education Program is an afterschool program for local Middle School Students. During the program the students learn Hands-on skills in the Skilled Trade Industry along with skill sets in math, science, team work, work ethic and employability. Students complete projects such as custom built motorcycle choppers, customized wheelchairs and full size two seat hovercrafts. Classes are free to students and the program is funded with donations, sponsorships and personal contributions. The Shop Rat Foundation has provided capstone projects for other hands-on educational programs such as the Jackson Area Manufacturing Associations, “I Can Make It Camp” and the “Spring Arbor Learning Fair”. We believe that it is important that Hands-on Programs work together to further our missions. The Shop Rat Foundation believes in supporting local charities and organizations in order to create an overall healthier community. The Shop Rat Foundation has been involved in many charitable events that have made contributions to many local charities and organizations. The Shop Rat Foundation hopes to establish Shop Rat Classes throughout the nation within the next 10 years. Currently there are Shop Rat Programs in Michigan and in Alabama. We are also in the process of creating and publishing a “Shop Rat Program” curriculum so that middle schools across the nation can integrate hands-on programs into current classes or begin a “Shop Rat” class in schools. The Shop Rat Foundation’s goal is to raise sufficient funds within the next two years to begin awarding scholarships to young Shop Rats to continue education in the Skilled Trades Industry The Shop Rat Foundation is strongly supported by the National Association of Manufacturers, the Michigan Manufactures Association, the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association, the National Association of Industrial Technologies, the Michigan Industrial & Technology Educational Society, South Central Michigan Works, SolidWorks and many other local businesses, organizations and individuals.

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