Students graduating high school are presented with many post-secondary options. Despite all of these paths, a majority of students chose college, and an increasing number of students believe college is the only option after high school.
Trade jobs are jobs that don’t require a college degree. Rather, qualification is earned through advanced training and skills gained through other methods like certificates, trade schools and apprenticeships. Trade jobs are essential careers and currently make up 20% of jobs in America.
Recently, however, fewer people have been entering the workforce in trade jobs than in the past. “The shortage of skilled trades workers remains a challenge in the US; the number of full-time skilled trades workers decreased by 16% from 2007 to 2022” writes Nate Catuara.
This lack of skilled workers will cause large problems in the future if this trend continues. Trade jobs play vital roles in society and without them society won’t be able to function.
The main reason for this decline in skilled workers is that more people are going to college after high school. College can provide degrees to help people earn essential jobs, but if too many people choose to attend college, the number of people able to fill other important positions is limited.
Many students feel pressure from their parents that college is the only option after graduation. Aneesh Narmeta, a sophomore from Pleasant Valley High School, feels that college is the only path for him after high school that others would find acceptable. “My parents have always stressed the importance of going to college to me and expect me to attend a university after graduating,” expressed Narmeta.
Another large reason for so many choosing college after high school is the wage gaps between those with higher education than those who go straight into the workforce.
“On an annual basis, median earnings for bachelor’s degree holders are $40,500 or 86% higher than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma,” stated The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.
Many issues need to be addressed in order for skilled labor to appeal to more people. If this trend of fewer and less people entering skilled occupations we will face serious issues in the near future.
