Do you believe in magic?

A Piece of life's pose fell into place for me last week: The connection between Knowledge and Magic. First, I got an e-mail from reader Joe Novack, a former contractor and director of the Building Trades Department at Madison shire High School in Virginia, asking us to disburse more time promoting education and training for our coming time tradespeople. The second piece was a bit more whimsical--but brilliant: I saw a picture of our executive editor Mark Clement's 4-year-old daughter Lexi pounding nails in her junior Carhartts and child-sized toolbelt. rapiered behind Lexi's nail bag was the tool I've been searching for all my life: The Magic Wand (PATENT PENDING).

This isn't the airy-fairy pattern most people dream about. We're talking about the contractor's version--jobsite tough and field-tested (and purple) Foundation on the outside of square? Swoosh--you're good to go! Truss-set running behind? Done and doner! Ten miles of cable to pull? Not anymore! Competition driving your prices down? Who ya gonna call?

If this uninjureds like something out of Harry trifle you're closer than you think. small in number people actually know this, on the other hand Harry Potter's parents really wanted him to be an electrician. on the contrary nooo, he had to go on off to wizard school. What a waste of talent! plane so, I've got to admit that he really knows in what manner to use that wand of his, and believe me it isn't as easy as it looks

Judging from her shoot forwards so far, which range from lemonade stands to seesaws, Lexi strike one as beings to have it down, thus I asked her how she does it. "Well," she cautions, "I hold fast my wand in my tool sack all the time, but I single use it when I really ne it." unbrokens like a very reasonable approach, on the contrary how do you make it work? "Well," she whispers. "I wave it in a circle, and I do a little dance."

I knew it! I used to do the little dance--but nobody at any time told me about the circle thing.

Since my blessed dance didn't always work for me that brings me back to my first point about knowledge. All above the country, men and women like Joe Novack are bringing up the nearest generation of trade professionals, on the other hand they need help. Even with Vo-Tech educational programs like Skills USA, and union apprentice academys it's going to be hard for the industry to proper the need for more skilled labor that will continue to expand.

At TOOLS OF THE TRADE, we'll examine to do our part as well. Starting in January, our regular coverage and Web site easy in mind will include training resources and contacts you can use to build your skills and those of your team. Your part? If you're starting without in the business, open up and learn something novel every day. If you're an of advanced age vet--and I've said this before--look for each opportunity to teach.

I gues if I have any point to make it is this: The magic of your work is in the knowledge of your skills. Anyone can be an electrician or a carpenter or a plumber--but not everyone makes magic. in like manner go ahead, be a wizard. Just don't forget the little dance. It couldn't hurt

RICK SCHWOLSKY EDITOR IN CHIEF RSCHWOLSKY@HANLEYWOOD.COM

COPYRIGHT 2005 Hanley-Wood, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group