At the Danfoss Drives plant in Loves Park, Ill., U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger discusses drawing young people into the manufacturing sector.

Being a cheap date for my employer and always interested in what Danfoss is doing, I accepted a media invitation to attend the event. The congressman, Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., spent time with Danfoss officials discussing energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies and how federal and climate policies can positively affect reduction in energy use and stimulate local and national economies.

In a Q&A with the media, the congressman also spoke of the need to introduce young people to the value of being part of the manufacturing sector. This was a bit of a variation on one of my favorite topics — encouraging young people to consider vocational training. They both have the same point — for young folks to look beyond so called “professional” careers (whatever that means). The idea is to give them more options.