Republicans and Democrats in the state Legislature agree there is a looming shortage of skilled trades workers in the commonwealth.

The question is what to do about it.

Rep. Marla Brown, R-Lawrence, wants to expose more high school students to the trades by requiring shop classes in sixth through 12th grades. Brown introduced her co-sponsorship memorandum for legislation she’s drafting in late March after a March 18 House Republican Policy Committee hearing hosted by Rep. David H. Rowe, R-Snyder, and Brown to examine strategies to strengthen workforce development in the skilled trades across Pennsylvania.

Rep. Elizabeth Feidler, D-Philadelphia, has introduced her own co-sponsorship memorandum focused on a workforce development partnership between the building and construction trades, community college and career and technical centers like the Warren County Career Center to offer students additional pathways into the skilled trades and pre-apprenticeship programs.

One problem with two proposed solutions – and we hope there is some compromise rather than partisan gridlock. In our view, the lack of skilled trades workers is a problem in every region of Pennsylvania. While we can see logic behind both Feidler’s idea and Brown’s idea, we have a feeling both may be needed in one form or another.

In our opinion, exposing more middle and high school students to shop classes create more interest in the trades. Feidler’s proposal to focus on partnerships between the trades and the state’s community colleges and career and technical centers also could create new ways for students to get the certifications they need to enter the skilled trades. But wouldn’t Feidler’s proposal work better if there was interest being created earlier in a child’s academic career?

Feidler and Brown both see the problem and offer solutions that may help, but not solve, the problem. Imagine if the Republican and Democrat put their heads together and came up with a broader bill that incorporated both of their ideas? Partisan gridlock isn’t just a problem on issues like the state budget, the minimum wage or marijuana legalization. It’s seen in issues like boosting the skilled trades – something we should all be able to get behind.

We see the problems. We need to compromise on solutions.