Word seems to be spreading that college is not the only choice for young people. The need for skilled workers and tradespeople is again being echoed this time in an article from PBS. Its article titled, “After decades of pushing bachelor’s degrees, U.S. needs more tradespeople” points out that the “decades-long national push for high school graduates to get bachelor’s degrees left vocational programs with an image problem, and the nation’s factories with far fewer skilled workers than needed.” And we all know that it has also resulted in fewer skilled heavy equipment operators and construction workers.
Citing research done by California’s 114-campus community college system, the article says that both families and employers weren’t even aware of the existence of vocational programs and the value their certificates can deliver.
One sentence in the article stood out. It says, “There are an estimated 30 million jobs that pay at least $55,000 per year and don’t require a bachelor’s degree.”
I’m not trying to discourage anyone from going to college. But I am trying to make more people aware that there are more choices.
Check out the PBS video that accompanied the piece.
