Veteran Automotive Technician Calls for Greater Awareness and Respect for Skilled Trades

Massachusetts, US, 19th May 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, After over 15 years in the automotive industry, Joseph Mille is stepping into the spotlight—not to change jobs, but to change minds. The seasoned technician, who built his career from the ground up, is raising awareness about the importance of skilled trades and encouraging young people and career changers alike to consider them as a viable, rewarding path.

“Working with your hands is not a fallback,” Mille says. “It’s a real, practical path to a stable future.”

Mille’s journey started at age 15, delivering newspapers, and led him through jobs in retail and food service before landing in a tire shop at 18. That’s when everything changed. “I realized I liked fixing things. I could see the results. That’s what made me want to keep going.”

Now, with over a decade of experience at Clay Subaru and a full set of certifications from Subaru of New England, Mille wants others to see the same potential in the trades. “There’s pride in starting small and building up,” he says. “I went from sweeping floors to diagnosing complex electrical issues.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the skilled trades face a shortage of over 500,000 workers in fields like automotive repair, welding, HVAC, and construction. At the same time, four-year college debt has reached an average of $37,000 per student, while trade programs offer lower cost, faster outcomes, and strong job placement.

“It’s not about skipping school—it’s about choosing a path that fits you,” Mille explains. “Some people don’t learn best in lectures. They need to see it, touch it, do it.”

Mille has also found creative satisfaction outside of work, using his skills in hobbies like aluminum casting and carbon fiber ring making. “I still like learning. Whether it’s building a part or building a cabinet, it’s the same satisfaction.”

He’s not asking people to quit their jobs or abandon their college plans. His message is simpler: “Try something hands-on. Fix something instead of replacing it. Build something you didn’t think you could.”

Joseph Mille encourages individuals to:

• Explore local trade programs or apprenticeships
  
• Start a project at home—fix a bike, change a tire, build a shelf
  
• Talk to someone in a trade and ask about their path
  
• Respect the skilled labor that keeps our homes, roads, and lives running
  

“Success doesn’t always come with a degree,” Mille says. “Sometimes it comes with a wrench, a torch, or a tool you learned how to use because you didn’t quit.”