College of Building Arts Rescuing Skilled Artisans From Oblivion

Some of us remember when it was normal practice to get shoes re-heeled and even appliances repaired. No more. In our supposedly "green" society, repairs have gone the way of the dinosaur. Your dishwasher doesn't work? Throw it out. Repairs will cost more than replacing it with a new one.

If you think I'm exaggerating, you haven't needed a repairman lately.

So it's frustrating that too many people believe that everyone must have a college degree. Instead of equipping students for jobs, the degree has become a barrier for professions that don't need it and a drag on our whole economy as students assume tens of thousands in debt.

We are indeed fortunate to have the American College of Building Arts here in Charleston. Where otherwise would we find skilled workers to repair damage to our historic (and modern) buildings. In some ways Hurricane Hugo turned out to be a blessing, as it pushed the founding of ACBA.

Dr. Anthony Wade Razzi, its chief academic officer, has put forward a strong case for it and more schools like it:

"At ACBA, we teach six traditional trades: architectural carpentry, timber framing, architectural stone, masonry, plaster and architectural forged iron. Students spend four years learning their individual trade and becoming skilled artisans. In addition, they are also given a “traditional” education that includes math, science, literature, philosophy, history, foreign language, drawing and drafting, business management, leadership and historic preservation."

"More importantly, they leave with an education that fuses two branches of learning that have been artificially separated for more than 2,500 years. They learn to work with their hands and their heads. They learn to lay brick, carve stone, forge iron and frame timber, but they also learn the history of their crafts, the story of human architecture, and the scientific principles that underlie the buildings arts."

"They leave with the ability not only to build, but also to plan and design what they build. ACBA nourishes the critical thinking skills required to excel in any endeavor. . . .  They also leave with the ability to advance in their careers with the requisite leadership and management skills. And yes, at the end of four years they leave with a Bachelor of Applied Science in the Building Arts, so that they will not be shut out of other possibilities." 

"But more important than the degree, we at ACBA think that the education we provide produces fully rounded individuals, educated artisans, who have developed their craftsmanship and their intellect to reach their full potential. There should be no stigma attached to that accomplishment."

Too bad that the Charleston County School District doesn't feel the same way.