The Problem Facing Trades Education
Trades education in the U.S. is facing a serious skills gap. The problem is simple: not enough workers, not enough training, and not enough up-to-date tools.
According to a 2023 report from the National Association of Manufacturers, nearly 2.1 million skilled manufacturing jobs could go unfilled by 2030. That includes machinists, welders, and technicians—roles that power everything from local shops to national defence.
Schools and training centres often don’t have the tools to keep up. Many are using outdated equipment. Some don’t have any modern fabrication tools at all. This leaves students learning with old tech and entering the workforce already behind.
Why Laser Tech Matters Right Now
Laser cutting and engraving aren’t just for factories anymore. These tools are being used in small businesses, school shops, and community spaces.
Machines that once cost six figures now come in at a fraction of the price. And they’re easier to use than ever before. Students can learn to design, cut, and engrave in the same afternoon.
The skills are useful too. Laser tech can prepare students for work in manufacturing, aerospace, construction, signage, and product design. It also gives them hands-on experience with software and precision tools.
“We had a student who made a custom phone stand with our laser cutter,” said a teacher from a Texas high school trades programme. “He figured out angles, material limits, and layout in one day. He was hooked. Now he’s planning to study industrial design.”
How Boss Laser Got Involved
Boss Laser, a company based in Sanford, Florida, has been part of this shift. The company started in 2012 after noticing a gap in the laser market—machines were either too expensive or too unreliable.
They created something in between. A machine that was affordable, strong, and supported. Their customers now include small businesses, sign shops, Ivy League universities, and all five branches of the U.S. military.
“One of our early customers was a school that had been trying to teach fabrication with outdated equipment,” the founder explained. “We helped them set up their first CO2 laser. Within a few months, their students were winning regional competitions.”
If you look at Boss Laser reviews from educators and small business owners, a recurring theme is reliability paired with responsive support. For schools especially, this combination helps teachers feel confident introducing new tools into their classrooms.
Their machines are used for engraving, marking, and cutting. And they’re often the first piece of tech that gives students hands-on training with real-world tools.
What Laser Tech Teaches Students
Learning to use a laser cutter isn’t just about pushing a button. Students work with design software, understand materials, plan layouts, and manage machine safety. These are the same steps taken in professional shops.
Laser machines teach:
- Precision planning
- Creative problem solving
- Material science basics
- Software-to-hardware workflows
- Technical drawing and CAD skills
It also builds confidence. When a student sees their design turn into a real product, it sticks. It’s not theory—it’s something they made.
“One student laser-cut a wooden puzzle for his sister’s birthday,” said a shop teacher in Illinois. “He ended up starting a side business selling puzzles on Etsy.”
Trades Need More Than Textbooks
Many trades classrooms still rely on worksheets and tool posters. These don’t match what’s happening in the real world.
A 2022 SkillsUSA survey found that over 60% of career-tech instructors felt their equipment was “outdated or insufficient.” Without the right tools, students can’t build job-ready skills.
Laser machines help fill that gap. They offer hands-on learning that connects theory to action.
Some schools have even used them for cross-subject projects—combining math, art, and shop class to create custom products, school signage, or fundraising goods.
Makerspaces, Not Just Classrooms
Laser tech isn’t limited to formal classrooms. Makerspaces, libraries, and community centres are also adopting it.
These shared spaces allow students, hobbyists, and job-seekers to explore fabrication without needing a full trade programme.
It also encourages multi-generational learning. Parents, teens, and teachers work side by side on projects. This helps build local skills and local businesses.
“We hosted a workshop where a retired machinist taught teens how to vector files for laser cutting,” said a makerspace director in Ohio. “Two of those teens now run their own T-shirt printing service using laser-cut stencils.”
What’s Stopping More Schools from Using Laser Tech?
Cost is still a barrier. So is training. Some teachers aren’t sure how to use laser tools, and budgets can’t always cover both the machine and the setup.
But the cost of doing nothing is bigger. Students without hands-on training leave school unprepared for jobs. Companies lose time and money on retraining. Communities miss out on local growth.
“It’s not just a tool—it’s a training system,” said a high school principal in Oregon. “We need more people to understand that.”
Solutions That Actually Work
1. Partnerships Between Schools and Manufacturers
Equipment companies should work with schools to offer packages that include:
- Machines
- Training
- Curricula
- Ongoing support
Boss Laser and others have already done this. More companies can follow suit.
2. Grants and Local Funding
Schools should look for local grants, STEM budgets, or CTE funding. Some community foundations will also fund fabrication tools if they serve workforce development.
3. Training the Teachers First
Teacher workshops should come before machines. If instructors feel confident, they’ll use the tools more.
Some states offer summer training camps focused on laser, CNC, and 3D design tools. Schools should take advantage.
4. Sharing Equipment Between Programmes
A single machine can serve woodshop, engineering, art, and robotics. It doesn’t need to live in just one room. With the right schedule and plan, many students can benefit.
5. Student-led Businesses or Clubs
Students can use laser tech to build and sell products for fundraising. This not only pays for materials—it teaches business and marketing skills too.
Conclusion
Laser tech isn’t just cool—it’s useful. It helps students gain skills that employers want. It connects the classroom to real jobs. It brings trades education back to life.
Tools like those from Boss Laser are giving schools and makerspaces a new way to train, build, and create. But to close the skills gap, more people need to push for hands-on, modern tools in every school and community space.
Key Actions
- Schools: Seek local grants and multi-programme use
- Manufacturers: Offer training and support with machines
- Teachers: Attend laser training and push for shared equipment
- Communities: Support makerspaces and student businesses
- Students: Learn, create, and teach others what you build
The skills gap is real. But it’s fixable. One cut at a time.
