Trade schools in Denver are discussing the potential impact of tariffs on their students and job opportunities. Randy Johnson, executive director of Emily Griffith Technical College, stated that while there are currently no immediate negative effects from tariffs, there are speculations about potential benefits. For example, an increase in jobs may be seen in the auto collision repair program as more people choose to repair and maintain their cars rather than replace them.
Johnson emphasized that trades will always be responsive to the economy and that careers in the trade industry are recession-proof, depression-proof, and pandemic-proof. Although there may be concerns about increased costs for supplies due to tariffs, the college relies on donations from industry partners for many of its vehicles.
Additionally, the college is monitoring enrollment trends, as a strong demand in the local economy for certain careers could lead to a surge in students seeking training in those fields. Johnson highlighted that all discussions about the impact of tariffs are currently speculative, as no immediate impacts have been observed.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding tariffs, Johnson remains optimistic about the resilience of the trade industry and the importance of training individuals to maintain the infrastructure of society. He mentioned that regardless of national fluctuations, there will always be a need for skilled trade workers to keep society running smoothly.
