Rescuing Children From Traditional Post K-12 School Paths

Plan “A”: Don't Sleep on the Skilled Trades

What do you want to be when you grow up? This is the question that many young people are asked as they plan for their future. Responses may include doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc., but many children are misled into thinking that these professions, which require a traditional four-year college path, is the only path to prosperity or success. The overwhelming influence of society was for the children to go to college after finishing high school. We need both college professionals and skilled trades professionals. The skilled trades should be viewed as a separate but equal post-K–12 pathway. It should not be considered Plan B; it is a Plan A that can empower young adults to take control of their futures and inspire them to choose a path that is right for them!

The Stigma

For years, there has been a stigma associated with skilled trades. It has been sold as a “Plan B” post-secondary school option where many children are told they can get a trade if college did not work out. This stigma has led schools nationwide to remove many in-school vocational programs where children were exposed to various careers, such as HVAC technicians, electricians and plumbers. The lack of outreach for these professions has led to a severe worker shortage due to attrition.

Ruchir Shah, CEO of SkillCat and Cofounder of the GRIT Foundation, identifies two issues contributing to the massive labor shortfall: lack of awareness and lack of access. Shah’s company SkillCat is an app that dramatically reduces barriers to getting into the trades, including access to hundreds of hours of technical training and low monthly enrollment costs. It is an excellent way for people to enter the industry. During our interview, Shah states that SkillCat “[has] already trained 300,000 people; our vision is to have millions of people learning, growing and advancing their careers on our platform.”

He also explains that a lack of access is an issue that needs to be resolved. “I got started with SkillCat because I was previously running a company in oil and gas. During COVID, everyone got laid off and went from high-paying six-figure jobs to working at grocery stores, because there [were]

no easy ways for individuals to reskill for trade careers. Traditional trade school can also be expensive and makes [an individual] leave the workforce for several years. This is impossible for low-income folks with families and financial obligations.” Unlike traditional college careers, it is hard to make creative applications to train individuals for these in-demand careers.

Benefits of Mastering a Skilled Trade

When comparing traditional college and post-secondary education, mastering a skilled trade offers some key advantages. It is generally a fraction of the cost and can be completed without the burden of student loans. Unlike some career paths that can lead to significant debt, mastering a skilled trade brings a sense of achievement and fulfillment that is truly inspiring and motivating.

Another benefit is the gratification that comes from mastering a skilled trade or having the ability to fix something. Shah stated, “People don't realize how incredible skilled trade jobs are. You have zero debt, you make more money than most college graduates, the jobs are relatively AI-proof and job satisfaction is twice as high for individuals who like to work with their hands than office jobs.” These jobs are exceptional, but societal stigma keeps too many people away. We need to spread the word about these jobs and careers!”

The earning potential is another important consideration for mastering a skilled trade. When comparing a traditional college candidate versus a candidate mastering a skilled trade, college tuition far exceeds the cost of post-secondary education.

According to the College Board’s Annual Survey of Colleges, full-time undergrads at an in-state four-year school paid an average of $10,940 versus a two-year program at $3,860 before room and board, totaling $7,080 more a year in tuition costs.

Some reports show that a college degree may help a student earn more money initially. In the Forbes article, Trade Schools Vs. Traditional College: What You Should Know, author Robert Farrington states that, “You can often learn a trade and enter a related profession in 18 months to 24 months vs. the four years or longer it takes to earn a bachelor's degree.” With the cost of the debt of student loans, the trade school student may enjoy a better standard of living as they would have more discretionary income and be able to contribute more to savings and retirement accounts over a more extended period. Additionally, skilled tradespeople have the power to easily transition to start a business utilizing the skills they have learned, empowering them and giving them control over their career.

Apprenticeship programs combine the best of both worlds. During an apprenticeship program, skilled tradespeople get paid for learning and on-the-job training, making their education free and earning a livable wage at the same time. Apprenticeships are becoming more popular due to the backing of organizations like the Department of Labor. Employers often enjoy grants and other incentives to offer apprenticeship programs. In many country areas, a trained journey worker can exceed six figures!

Taking Action—Recruit Young

One organization is taking the bull by the horns to expose the benefits of mastering a skilled trade at an early age. The GRIT Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to make skilled trades accessible to everyone. It focuses on underserved communities to create opportunities and easy access to career paths in the trades.

Leilani Orr, Executive Director of the GRIT Foundation, discussed how the organization is introducing younger kids to the field. “We introduce the skilled trades to young people by partnering with contractors and hosting GRIT Day Camps where kids from communities all over the country attend an event that provides hands-on, immersive activities to introduce concepts in fields of carpentry, HVAC, electrical, refrigeration (and more!) to young people. We believe the skilled trades are often a good first option out of high school as a rewarding and fulfilling career.”

Early exposure to the skilled trades is key. It helps young people understand that there are many paths to prosperity and that a college degree is not the only answer. Orr explains that starting young is the key: “Choosing a career in the skilled trades and working with your hands can be both rewarding and fulfilling. It’s essential for kids to have hands-on experiences that teach them how to solve real-world problems while showing them that success isn’t limited to a traditional college education. Encouraging career paths that prevent the burden of student loan debt is an option kids should know they have and be encouraged to pursue if they desire to do so. Developing practical skills builds confidence and provides valuable opportunities in industries that rely on problem-solving and craftsmanship.”

A Properly Staffed and Trained Workforce is in Everyone’s Best Interest

Shah and Orr teamed up to create the GRIT Foundation to spread awareness to young people about the many options available as they transition into the workforce. Having a well-trained technical workforce is in everybody’s best interest.

Orr stressed the importance of having a well-trained workforce. “Ensuring a robust workforce in the skilled trades benefits everyone because these jobs are essential to maintaining and building the infrastructure that supports our daily lives. Without enough skilled workers, projects stall, costs rise, and economic progress slows, creating an epically problematic dilemma. We must support the development of skilled workers in the skilled trades for the well-being of our world and encourage this meaningful work where we use our minds and hands to serve one another.”

Allowing the next generation of professionals to choose a career path is highly encouraged; but showing them that there is more than one road they can travel is as essential as the training they will receive.