Trades Over Traditional College, a Rewarding Path

In today’s education landscape, there’s a widespread belief that a four-year college degree is the only path to success. But for many, choosing a trade instead of attending college can lead to a rewarding, prosperous, and fulfilling career. Here’s a deeper dive into why trade professions should be considered alongside traditional college routes.

1. Less Debt, More Earnings Sooner:

Most four-year college degrees come with hefty tuition fees, often leading to student loans that can take years to pay off. Trade schools, on the other hand, are generally much less expensive. By choosing a trade, students can often begin earning a decent wage right after completing their program, which usually lasts two years or less, compared to four years in college.

2. High Demand for Skilled Tradespeople:

As societies modernize and older skilled workers retire, there’s a significant demand for plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, and more tradespeople. This demand translates to job security and opportunities for advancement.

3. Potential for Entrepreneurship:

Trades offer a clear path to starting one’s own business. Whether an electrician setting up their firm or a plumber going solo, transactions often provide the skills and experience needed for entrepreneurial ventures, leading to higher earning potential.

4. Hands-On Work:

Many people prefer working with their hands and seeing the tangible results of their labor. Trades offer the satisfaction of creating, fixing, and improving physical structures or systems, which can be more fulfilling for some than desk-bound jobs.

5. Continuous Learning and Adaptability:

The world of trade isn’t static. As technology and techniques evolve, tradespeople have opportunities for continuous learning, ensuring their skills remain in demand.

6. Global Skills Portability:

A skilled tradesperson can often find work in various parts of the world. Skills like plumbing, construction, and electrical work are universally required, making it possible for tradespeople to work in different countries or regions.

7. Respect and Appreciation:

There’s a growing respect and appreciation for skilled trades as societies recognize these professionals’ essential services. From constructing homes to ensuring our cars run smoothly, tradespeople play pivotal roles in our daily lives.

8. Work-Life Balance:

Many trades offer flexibility in terms of work hours and locations. This can lead to a better work-life balance, allowing professionals to spend more time with their families or pursue hobbies.

9. Avoiding the “White Collar” Saturation:

While everyone pushes for a college degree, specific fields become oversaturated, leading to stricter job markets for new graduates. Trades, however, often have a shortage of skilled workers, ensuring those with the right skills and training are in demand.

A Viable Alternative to College

While a college education is undoubtedly valuable and the right path for many, trades offer an equally rewarding financial and personal alternative. As societies evolve, the need for skilled tradespeople will remain paramount. Thus, the world of trades provides a compelling, rewarding, and dignified option for those wondering whether college is the only way forward.

Key Considerations for Choosing Between College and Trade School

Choosing between college and trade school is a significant decision, and having concrete statistics can help provide clarity. Below are some statistics and insights comparing college and trade school routes, based on the U.S. context up to my last training data in January 2022:

Duration and Cost:

College: A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years to complete. The average annual cost (tuition, fees, room & board) was about $25,000 for in-state students at public universities and over $50,000 at private universities in the 2019-2020 academic year.

Trade School: Most programs last six months to 2 years. The average cost of a trade school degree is approximately $33,000 for the entire duration.

Student Loan Debt:

College: According to the Federal Reserve, bachelor’s degree holders’ average student loan debt was around $28,950 in 2019.

Trade School: Given the shorter duration and often lower tuition, trade school graduates generally accrue less debt. Exact amounts vary depending on the program and location, but it’s typically less than that of a four-year college.

Employment and Earnings:

College: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that bachelor’s degree holders earned a median weekly income of $1,248 in 2019.

Trade School: Median weekly earnings for someone with an associate degree (similar to many trade school qualifications) were $887 2019. However, many high-demand trades can lead to competitive profits with or exceeding those of bachelor’s degree holders. For instance, electricians and plumbers often have median wages higher than some professions requiring bachelor’s degrees.

Job Outlook:

College: Employment opportunities for college graduates vary based on the field of study, but on average, the unemployment rate for those with a bachelor’s degree was 2.2% in 2019.

Trade School: Many trades are experiencing shortages of skilled workers, leading to high demand in specific sectors. For example, the BLS projected a 4% growth rate for electricians from 2019 to 2029.

ROI (Return on Investment):

College: While the initial cost and potential debt are higher, college graduates, on average, tend to earn more over their lifetime compared to high school graduates.

Trade School: The initial investment is usually lower, and given the quicker entry into the workforce, trade school graduates start earning sooner. In trades with high demand, the ROI can be very favorable.

Skill Saturation:

College: Some fields, especially in the arts and humanities, have been facing challenges of oversaturation, leading to stricter job markets for recent grads.

Trade School: Trades like plumbing, electric work, and HVAC technicians consistently report skill shortages, making it easier for certified professionals to find jobs.

It’s Good to Have Choices

The choice between college and trade school is multifaceted, with each route offering advantages. While college can lead to higher lifetime earnings in many professions, trade school offers quicker entry into the workforce, often with less debt. Individuals must consider their interests, career goals, and financial situation when making this decision.

Notable Construction Trade Schools in the United States

1. Lincoln Tech: Lincoln Tech offers programs in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), electrical, welding, and automotive technology, among others.
2. UTI (Universal Technical Institute): UTI provides training in automotive technology, collision repair, diesel technology, and motorcycle mechanics.
3. The Home Builders Institute (HBI): HBI specializes in construction-related training, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
4. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National: ABC offers apprenticeship programs and training for various construction trades.
5. Construction Industry Training Council (CITC): CITC provides construction-related training programs, including carpentry, electrical, and plumbing.
6. North American Trade Schools (NATS): NATS offers programs in construction trades, including carpentry and electrical.
7. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): NAHB offers various educational resources and training programs related to residential construction.
8. Stanford Advanced Project Management (SAPM): While not a traditional trade school, Stanford offers an Advanced Project Management program that can be beneficial for those pursuing leadership roles in construction.
9. Community Colleges: Many community colleges offer construction-related programs, including degrees and certificates in carpentry, welding, and construction management.
10. Online Trade Schools: There are also online trade schools that offer construction-related courses and programs, which can be convenient for individuals who need flexibility in their education.