Young Americans have been told for years that financial success starts with an expensive, four-year degree. But after watching the older generation load up on debt and struggle to pay the bills, that mindset is changing.
Instead, more young Americans are considering tech schools and skilled labor, working in fields like construction, mining, and nursing that many of their older peers never would have considered.
Undergraduate enrollment at America’s four-year public colleges is 7.4 percent lower than it was a decade ago, a loss of around 1.5 million students as confidence in traditional education has declined. Meanwhile, there has been a surge of interest in career and trade institutions. More than 1 million part and full-time students opted to attend for-profit career schools in the 2022-23 academic year.
Delaware Valley helped forge the path for trade schools with Williamson College of the Trades in Media.
“Williamson is doing virtually just everything right, but almost everything opposite to what you’re seeing in the Ivy League and most big public universities,” said Mike Rowe, podcaster and former host of Dirty Jobs.
The faith-based institution offers students a full scholarship to learn trades and technical jobs. Originally formed in the late 1800s, Williamson uses “practical, hands-on projects” to help students learn in and out of the classroom. It boasts a 98 percent job placement rate for graduating students.
Also helping with training is the Steamfitters of United Association Local 420 union in Philadelphia. Its apprentice program starts in February for both steamfitter and mechanical equipment service jobs. The apprenticeship program counts as 45 credits toward an associate’s degree at Washtenaw Community College.
“Whether it is through apprenticeship classes, continuing education night classes, or specialized certifications, we’re committed to equipping our members with the skills and knowledge they need to excel,” LU420 Business Manager Jim Snell told DVJournal.
The union plans to spend $15 million to expand and renovate its training center. Snell said the project will prepare apprentices over the next 25 years to meet the industry’s demands.
Trade school advocates aren’t surprised to see more young people become interested in a more direct educational route.
“The choice to enroll in career schools is driven by flexibility, accessibility, accelerated pathways, and robust student support services,” Jenny Faubert, a spokesperson for Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), told DVJournal. CECU is an association representing 1,100 private career colleges and affiliates across North America.
Research from National Student Clearing House shows enrollment trends continue to increase for shorter-term credential programs. And even though Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a household topic of conversation, Faubert says there will always be a need for plumbers, electricians, and other trade workers, even with technological advances.
“While trade jobs use more technology than they did a decade ago, they are still hands-on jobs that need skilled individuals,” she said.
The National Mining Association (NMA) sees things along those same lines. It’s urging Congress to support the Mining Schools Act of 2023. Introduced by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), the measure aims to increase and improve opportunities for university and college mining and geological programs to prepare students to meet America’s energy needs in the future.
“Without a strong workforce of American miners, the United States will continue to rely on China, Russia, and other foreign nations for our supply of raw materials and rare earth minerals, and this is unacceptable,” said Manchin.
The House version of the bill is co-sponsored by Pennsylvania Republicans Reps. Daniel Meuser, Glenn Thompson, and Guy Reschenthaler. No Delaware Valley representatives are involved.
The Mining Schools Act establishes a federal grant program for mining schools to recruit students and conduct studies, research, and demonstrations. The bill also creates an advisory board to review applications and make recommendations to the secretary of energy. The board maintains oversight over grant funds.
Mining isn’t the only popular blue collar or trade job that today’s students prefer, according to Faubert. Industries such as healthcare, truck driving, aircraft mechanics, networking, and welding need new blood, and the cost of an education in those areas costs a fraction of a four-year degree. Other popular jobs include HVAC installers and mechanics, dental assistants, culinary specialists, and plumbers.
For-profit school supporters said they’re the key to helping solve America’s worker shortage in skilled labor.
“Workforce shortages are worsening, especially as many current workers retire, this creates a high demand for skilled labor, and many of these jobs offer good pay,” said Faubert.
