Pennsylvania is fortunate to have some of the best schools in the nation. We also have the distinction of having the eighth highest college cost in the country with the average annual cost of tuition and room and board at around $45,400.
With increasing costs and changing attitudes about higher ed, a growing number of Gen-Zer’s are choosing trade schools over college. In fact, from 2022 to 2023, enrollment in vocational-focused schools increased 16 percent, the highest level since the National Student Clearinghouse began tracking data in 2018.
And it’s no wonder why. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects robust growth rates for several jobs in the trade sector, including: plumbers and pipefitters (14 percent), HVAC technicians and installers (13 percent), and electricians (10 percent). In addition, Gen Z is prioritizing financial security and practical skills with some 74 percent of high school students noting that a tech education program makes sense for their interests and career goals.
In Pennsylvania, there are more than 80 career and technical education centers (CTE) that offer PA Department of Education (PDE) approved programs to thousands of students. These programs create educational and career pathways for students in addition to maintaining a competitive workforce and fostering economic growth.
I recently had the opportunity to meet with students and staff from the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center, the North Montco Technical Career Center, the Pottstown School District’s technical education program, and the Berks County Career and Technology Center to discuss hands-on learning and job prospects. These centers offer dozens of interesting career programs such as construction, cosmetology, culinary arts, engineering/manufacturing, health and human services, automotive technology, biomedical science, early childhood, and communications.
It wasn’t until the 2018-19 state budget – for the first time in nearly a decade – that Pennsylvania lawmakers increased funding for career and technical schools. Unfortunately, funding for these programs is still not available to all students who want to attend, because many school districts simply cannot afford to enroll all interested students in those programs.
I’m pleased to report that as part of the 2023-2024 Commonwealth Budget, career and technical schools received an increase of $25 million. In addition to these dollars, I secured grants for multiple schools’ technical education programs in the 24th District, including $150,000 for Western Montgomery Career & Technology Center; $150,000 for North Montco Technical Career Center; $150,000 for Berks County Career & Technology Center; $150,000 for Brandywine Heights Area School District’s technical education program; and $150,000 for Pottstown School District’s technical education program.
These grants will help pay for significant upgrades at our tech schools, such as new equipment, tooling cabinets, hydraulic tables, and even hybrid vans to help students with hands-on learning of hybrid technology. These programs provide students with the technological tools and skills they need to enter the workforce.
Ensuring our young adults have every opportunity to thrive and succeed is paramount to Pennsylvania’s ability to keep and attract workers. The Commonwealth must expand its efforts to fund our vocational school to help prepare our students for well-paying jobs in the future and meet the growing workforce demands for these jobs today.
