A NEED FOR TECHNICAL TRADE WORKERS

  Bruce Rasmussen is President and CEO of Rasmussen Mechanical Services of Council Bluffs.  Rasmussen has a message for parents of youth thinking about their work careers.  He explained to Optimist members that there is a serious need for more workers in the technical fields.  Rasmussen Mechanical Services is company of 120 employees servicing the central US from four locations in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.  They provide mechanical services throughout the central US.  Specific trades with their company include heating and air conditioning, welding, pipe fitting, sheet metal fitting, boiler installation, combustion controls, water conditioning, laboratory safety equipment testing, computer based controllers, as well as computer aided drafting and design.  Rasmussen noted that new employees typically learn a trade through apprenticeships and technical schools plus specific on-the-job training continuing education.  Rasmussen stated that workers can start from $18 to $20/hr and earn up to $32/hr with experience and continuing education effort.  Rasmussen noted the because of rapid technical improvement of equipment to increase efficiencies it becomes even more important to do the proper maintenance.  He challenged us to encourage young adults to look at the career opportunities offered in the technical trades.