Over the past few weeks, there has been a constant stream of public questions and critiques made of the Government.

There are those who tend to ask well-founded and valid questions that deserve open and transparent answers. Then there are those who seem to wake up daily and decide to just throw any random and non-researched opinion out and expect it to be accepted as the gospel truth.

Some of the valid concerns are based around key issues such as affordable housing, the teaching of trades to our young people and access to medical cannabis.

In a recent media seminar, participants learnt that politicians tend to either ignore what could be deemed tricky questions or they do their research and speak directly on the subject matters. I choose the latter.

So today let us look at something that many have a passion about — the teaching of trades to our young people.

The following question was asked by Ambika Scott on Facebook: “Who is in favour of a trade school for the average black male and/or those that are not academically inclined?”

This question raised the attention of several persons who wanted to weigh in on the topic.

Speaking from my own knowledge, I was able to inform Ms Scott that both senior schools, namely CedarBridge Academy and the Berkeley Institute, offer the following technical classes respectively: auto mechanics, cosmetology, design and technology, and woodwork.

Additionally, both schools, in conjunction with the Bermuda College, now offer dual enrolment courses for students wishing to learn trades such as coding and designing phone apps.

Others were also able to elaborate that these courses must be certified, as this is the new norm for all skilled tradespersons.

One thing that I took exception to is the notion that persons working in the trades are either average students or not academically inclined.

This is something that has been around with us for decades, if not centuries.

The reality is that to be a skilled tradesperson, one must have a working knowledge of multiple disciplines such as mathematics, science and geometry.

Imagine, if you will, a plumber not knowing which angle to run the drainpipes or a carpenter not knowing how to properly mark out the lengths needed to cut those rafters that hold up our roofs.

Simply put, these persons use academics on a minute-by-minute basis.

While they may not get the same financial compensation as those who work inside an office setting, there is not one residential or commercial building that was not built by skilled tradespersons.

As a matter of fact, even when we look back a few generations, most of our forefathers never had the opportunity to attend high school or university. Yet most of them were able to learn various trades, which then allowed them to build their own homes and build their own businesses.

There is not one community in this island that was not built by Bermudian tradesmen.

Which leads back to this singular answer: as a country, we must stop associating tradesmen as people who have no academic skills. In doing so, we will be able to encourage more and more of our young people to desire to become skilled tradespersons in fields such as landscaping, auto mechanics, barbering, construction technology and electronics.

The unfortunate alternative is this: if we fail to do so, we will become overtly dependent on importing outside labour while our children are either underemployed or unemployed.

The choice is clear.

• Christopher Famous is the government MP for Devonshire East (Constituency 11). You can reach him at WhatsApp on 599-0901 or e-mail at cfamous@plp.bm