Hosam Al-Baderi Calls for More Support of Skilled Trades and Technical Education in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City, Utah May 12, 2025 (Issuewire.com) Hosam Al-Baderi, founder and CEO of Salt Lake City-based Amari Motors and Amari Customs and Designs, is advocating for renewed investment in skilled trades and hands-on technical education to help meet growing demand in Utahs auto, design, and manufacturing sectors.

Speaking from his own experience as a self-made entrepreneur and restoration expert, Al-Baderi is calling on city leaders, local schools, and everyday residents to take active steps toward promoting career pathways outside of traditional four-year college tracks.

"Salt Lake City is full of young people with the potential to build real things to restore, design, and create," said Al-Baderi. "But were not giving them enough opportunities to discover these skills early or pursue them seriously."

According to the Utah System of Higher Education, more than 40% of high school graduates in the state do not complete a college degree within six years. At the same time, the Utah Department of Workforce Services reports a persistent shortage of skilled workers in trades like automotive technology, welding, and fabrication careers that offer strong wages and upward mobility.

"Not everyone wants a desk job, and not every talent fits a university mold," Al-Baderi said. "We need more shop classes, more mentorship programs, more apprenticeships and fewer assumptions about what success looks like."

Al-Baderi, who began his journey working at local auto shops in Salt Lake City before founding two successful companies, credits hands-on learning and community support for much of his career. His businesses now employ a growing team of technicians, designers, and engineers who bring classic and exotic vehicles back to life.

"The work we do is technical, creative, and in demand," he added. "I see young people come in with zero experience and, within a year, theyre designing or restoring six-figure builds. But someone had to open that first door for them."

Why This Matters for Salt Lake City

• Utah ranks among the top 5 fastest-growing states, with a population expected to double by 2060 (Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute).
  
  
• The automotive repair and restoration market is projected to grow over 3% annually, driven by rising interest in vintage and custom vehicles.
  
  
• Skilled trades jobs in Utah pay an average of $55,000$75,000/year, depending on specialization, with many requiring only certifications or associate degrees.

A Call to Action: What Locals Can Do

Rather than waiting for policy shifts, Al-Baderi encourages community members to take small but meaningful actions:

• Parents and mentors: Encourage teens to explore hands-on learning from car clubs to trade programs.
  
  
• Schools and districts: Protect or reinstate shop, fabrication, and auto tech classes.
  
  
• Local businesses: Offer internships, sponsor equipment, or partner with training centers.
  
  
• Young people: Try it. Get curious. Ask to volunteer or shadow a local expert.

"Salt Lake has the talent and the drive. We just need to make the path visible," said Al-Baderi. "When a young person learns to build or fix something with their own hands, that changes how they see themselves. Thats power."