More students across the country are leaving behind the “traditional” college education and moving toward an associate’s degree or a trade school. Trade schools are educational institutions that teach skills related to a specific job. They have a more streamlined approach to learning by providing their students with a certain skill set rather than giving a general education. Typically trade schools also take less time to complete their whole degree and education.
According to The Hechinger Report, “Mechanic and repair trade programs saw an enrollment increase of 11.5 percent from spring 2021 to 2022. Enrollment in construction trades courses increased by 19.3 percent.” Meaning that many students are going to schools that have a guaranteed career at the end of their education.
“Going into trade school will get me the job I want with way less debt than a traditional college,” Hayden Friesen, a former Warren Tech aircraft maintenance program student and DRHS senior, said.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology president Nathan Garrett told AP News, “When we look at ‘essential workers,’ a lot of those trades never saw a slowdown…They still hired. They still have the need.”
The average millennial who went to a four-year university has around 30,000 dollars of debt hanging over their head. That’s because most bachelor’s degrees can cost up to $127,000 according to the Idaho Department of Labor. That doesn’t even count dorm life, laundry, or expensive textbooks. The average trade school certificate or associate degree costs between $16,000 and $33,000. That’s the price of one year at some universities. Comparing that to $127,000, you get a considerable saving in dollars. A less expensive degree means less school debt and less school debt makes for a less stressed-out and bitter adult.
Trade workers are always going to be in need in an important role — people will always need their cars fixed or their airplanes to fly.
