High school graduation is a point that follows every high school senior in their key career choice. For many of today’s youth, this is one of the most important decisions they will ever make. While a four-year college is the expected route, trade school is becoming increasingly popular as an option.
There is also a definite trend in the selection of education, with students now preferring to look at trade schools as a viable option. The reasons for the trend are varied. Rising expenses with traditional higher education and a desire to get to work faster and more easily, the Hechinger Report, the cost-effectiveness of trade schools, as well as having a direct route to work, means that they are still a viable alternative.
Statistics indicate that trade school enrollments increased by 4.9% from 2020 to 2023, while those in traditional higher education dropped by 0.6% (BestColleges.com). In 2023, research indicated that 69% of college non-enrolling high school students and 65% of adults who don’t go to college believe that certification alone will lead to a good job, whereas 58% and 51%, respectively, believe that a college degree is required (Finance & Commerce). From spring 2021 through spring 2022, every kind of trade school area saw phenomenal enrollment increases. Repair and mechanic programs rose by 11.5%, culinary and personal programs by 127%, and construction trades by 19.3% (Nvdaily).
“I always worked well with my hands, and I think that if I can make it a career, then why not go to trade school and get paid for doing what I love,” said senior Justin Villatoro. The Majority of students who go into a trade school usually have some type of hands-on experience. For example, Pedro V has worked on his vehicle more times than he can remember.
“This Altima has so many problems, but I always know how to put it back together and to make it run better than before,” says senior Pedro Velasquez, who has recently applied to a Union. “ I applied to local 99, which is an Operating engineering union.
Villatoro, when describing trade school, also adds, “Local 602 does HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), welding, and soldering, and I have some knowledge already about HVAC, but joining this union could make me learn more about it while getting paid.” Velasquez and Villatoro have considered various trades and unions that reflect the broad range of opportunities available in vocational fields.
Trade schools are emerging as an ever more reasonable option to the traditional college experience, providing the more direct and, many times, less expensive route to a particular career, upheld by shifting statistical trends, changing student motivations, and the technical examination of industry professionals. Trade schools provide rigorous training in in-demand careers with shorter durations and lower tuition rates, in contrast to traditional colleges.
