As many young people weigh the pros and cons, more and more are leaning into trade schools. Practical considerations related to costs and eagerness to earn a steady pay-check are tipping the scales—a good thing considering the high demand for skilled employees in construction.
By The Numbers
Gen Z’s zest for tool belts is well timed: with demand for skilled workers high, the construction industry is facing the imperative to attract new workers. Experts, like Nitzan Pelman, the founder of Climb Hire, attributes Gen Z’s openness to skilled trades to the cost of college education, and the vulnerability artificial intelligence is bringing to careers in the tech sector. Boyd Beadles of Cavalry Construction concurs, emphasizing the cost differential between trade school and college:
The escalating costs of college tuition and the student debt crisis are significant drivers behind the shift toward trade schools. Since the start of the 21st century, the average cost of college in the United States has more than doubled, prompting many Generation Zers to reconsider traditional college paths. The average annual tuition for a four-year public college exceeds $10,000 for in-state students and nearly $24,000 for out-of-state students. Private colleges demand even more, averaging $42,000 per year. These high costs often lead to long-term financial burdens….In contrast, trade schools offer a more affordable and efficient option. With the average cost ranging from $5,000 – $20,000, these programs typically only last six months to two years. This allows graduates to enter the workforce sooner and begin earning without the debt associated with a…college degree. This immediate earning potential is particularly appealing to young adults….
Given the tremendous amount of building to be done across the country toward modernizing roads, bridges, tunnels, damns, ports, mass transit, and airports, updating school buildings to bring them out of the 1950s, and responding to severe weather events, the need for more skilled tradespeople is great, making the conditions favorable for young people interested in construction—and business leaders willing to invest in the pipeline:
Some of the nation’s highest in-demand jobs include carpenters, electricians, HVAC and solar installers, plumbers, painters, and masonry workers. Trade careers also offer greater job stability than many fields requiring a four-year college degree. Professions like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work are essential manual labor roles that are far less likely and feasible to be taken over by AI and emerging technologies.…The traditional notion of success, often centered around earning a four-year degree and pursuing a white-collar career, is being redefined. Practical skills and the ability to perform skilled trades are now gaining more appreciation and respect….Companies can benefit greatly by partnering with trade schools and establishing apprenticeship programs to cultivate a skilled workforce. As we embrace these changes, it’s crucial to continue supporting and promoting the value of trade-based education, ensuring that it remains a respected, attractive, and feasible option for future generations.
Partnership Paves The Way
Though an entrepreneurial mindset is key to business success, so too is having a great team, and strong partners. Colonial Surety is here to help: let’s partner. Once qualified for The Partnership Account®, you’ll use our power of attorney to issue your own bid bonds, in minutes. Order performance and payment bonds with speed and ease too. Plus, you’ll run your business more efficiently and competitively than ever as you leverage your:
- surety line of credit—in writing;
- private digital dashboard;
- daily snapshot of single and aggregate limits
- ability to update work on hand—and grow.
Get started right now—and get your free financial scores too:
Pre-Qualify for The Partnership Account® for Contractors
Founded in 1930, Colonial Surety Company is a leading direct seller and writer of surety bonds and insurance products across the USA. Colonial is rated “A Excellent” by A.M. Best Company and U.S. Treasury listed. Let’s connect today: Colonial Surety.