Having shop and home economics classes in schools benefits both you and the wider community in many ways, even if you don’t have children in school. Here are 10 key benefits:

Personal Benefits to You

1. Skilled Workforce – More young people gain practical skills, leading to a workforce that is better prepared for trades and essential life tasks. This means better services available in your community, from skilled carpenters to knowledgeable home cooks.

2. Stronger Local Economy – When students learn hands-on skills, they can start businesses or enter trades, boosting local economic growth and keeping money circulating within the community.

3. Better Home Maintenance – People trained in shop classes can handle repairs, reducing reliance on expensive contractors and keeping homes in good condition, improving property values.

4. Healthier Community – Home economics teaches cooking and nutrition, leading to better eating habits and potentially lowering health care costs due to reduced rates of diet-related illnesses.

5. Increased Self-Sufficiency – A community where more people know how to fix things, cook meals, and manage a household is less reliant on outside resources, making it more resilient in tough times.

Community-Wide Benefits

6. Lower Unemployment – Trade skills give students direct pathways into jobs, reducing unemployment and decreasing dependency on government aid programs.

7. Less Waste – Learning to sew, repair appliances, and upcycle materials teaches resourcefulness, leading to less waste going into landfills.

8. Crime Reduction – When students are engaged in productive, skill-building activities, they’re less likely to get involved in crime or other harmful behaviors.

9. Stronger Social Bonds – People with practical skills often volunteer or help neighbors with repairs, cooking, or other needs, fostering a stronger, more connected community.

10. Better Future Generations – Even if you don’t have kids, the next generation will be more prepared for adulthood, leading to a society with more capable, responsible citizens who contribute positively.

Here are some real-world examples of how shop and home economics classes have benefited individuals and communities:

1. Boosting Local Economies

• In some small towns, vocational high schools with strong shop programs have helped graduates start local businesses, such as carpentry, plumbing, and automotive repair. These businesses provide jobs and keep money circulating locally rather than relying on outside contractors.

• In Detroit, a resurgence of trade programs has helped fill the growing demand for skilled labor, allowing local companies to hire workers from their own community instead of outsourcing.

2. Reducing Food Insecurity and Improving Health

• In urban areas like Philadelphia, school-based home economics programs have partnered with local farms and food banks to teach students how to cook nutritious meals on a budget. Graduates have gone on to work in food service, open community kitchens, and even advocate for better nutrition policies.

• Schools in Japan and Scandinavia have long emphasized cooking education, leading to lower obesity rates and healthier communities.

3. Disaster Preparedness and Community Support

• After natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, communities with strong trade education programs had a pool of skilled workers ready to help rebuild homes, repair infrastructure, and support local recovery efforts.

• In rural areas prone to power outages, students who learned home repair skills were able to fix broken generators, maintain heating systems, and help neighbors stay safe.

4. Reducing Waste and Promoting Sustainability

• Some schools with strong shop programs teach students how to repurpose and repair broken furniture, appliances, and clothing. In Portland, Oregon, high school students have turned old bicycles into community bike-share programs and refurbished used furniture for low-income families.

• Schools with home economics classes have partnered with environmental groups to teach students about reducing food waste, composting, and sustainable cooking, leading to long-term community benefits.

5. Keeping Young People Engaged and Out of Trouble

• In cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, vocational training programs have provided alternatives to gang involvement. Students who learned auto repair, woodworking, or culinary skills found stable employment and were less likely to be involved in crime.

• A program in New Orleans trained at-risk youth in carpentry, giving them jobs restoring historic homes and revitalizing the community while reducing crime rates.

6. Strengthening Social Connections

• In some towns, home economics and shop classes have expanded into adult education programs, allowing people of all ages to learn practical skills together. This fosters intergenerational connections, where older community members share knowledge with younger generations.

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools with strong home economics programs pivoted to teaching sewing and mask-making, with students producing thousands of masks for frontline workers.