If you follow Executive Producer and TV Host Mike Rowe on Facebook or listen to his podcast, The Way I Heard It, you’ll be treated to stories about America’s skilled trade workers and how they’re making a difference.  These stories inspire all of us at Plex who are privileged to support the manufacturing community.

Mike, best known as the “dirtiest man on TV” from the hit TV series Dirty Jobs, not only shines a light on the unsung heroes of America’s workforce, but also on a critical issue: there is a serious skills gap facing America. It’s estimated by the Department of Labor that 5.6 million jobs aren’t being filled because candidates don’t have the right skills required.

The need to prepare workers to succeed on the rapidly advancing plant floor is top of mind for Plex and our customers. In fact, according to Plex’s most recent State of Manufacturing Report, the shortage of skilled workers will be the No. 1 obstacle to company growth in 2017.

That’s why Plex is proud to announce today that it is making a donation of $25,000 to the mikeroweWORKS Foundation.

The mikeroweWORKS Foundation works hard to debunk myths about the skilled trades and help close the skills gap. As CEO of the foundation, Mike challenges the persistent belief that a four-year degree is automatically the best path to take for most people.  The foundation will add the $25,000 donation to the pile of money it gives away to people getting trained for skilled jobs that are in demand through its scholarship programs, including the Work Ethic Scholarship Program. To date, the foundation has granted, or helped facilitate the granting of, nearly $5 million in technical and vocational education for trade schools across the country.

“The foundation’s focus on the skills gap is not only more relevant than ever, but it’s also a great legacy that I’m proud of,” said Mike Rowe. “We’re fundamentally trying to change the definition of a good job.”

The Plex team is proud to support mikeroweWORKS to help drive change, and we look forward to learning more about the individuals and communities our donation will help benefit. For more about the foundation, visit mikeroweworks.org.

See also: Plex Systems Donates $25,000 to mikeroweWORKS Foundation