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Why going to Trade School after High School is the best Option

Over the last few years, there has been a raging debate as to whether or not it is

economically sound for individuals to go to higher education institutions versus other paths like

trade school. It is obvious that, in today's dynamic labor market, which requires highly

specialized workers for trade professions, a substantial need to adopt new trends has been

formulated. Though most college education has focused on getting students a bachelor's degree,

trade school is an alternative for high school graduates as a practical and affordable solution.

Trade schools emphasize hands-on training and industry skills that equip learners with the

necessary foundation to thrive in engineering, manufacturing care, construction, and health

sectors. The essay will analyze the idea of going to trade school right after one leaves high

school and why, for many people, that might be a logical decision.

According to a report released by PBS NewsHour, shortages of trained workers persist in

nearly all areas across trades in the US (Krupnick). While the history of stressed requirements for

bachelor’s degrees has been obvious, industries like manufacturing and construction continue

struggling with a sufficient number of qualified persons. With this gap in supply underscoring the

need for trade schools, it is clearly visible that there is still an unmet demand by employers to fill

up skills. The partnerships between community colleges and local businesses demonstrate how

trade programs can offer specific training designed to fit market requirements (Krupnick). Trade
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schools contribute significantly to the solution of workforce deficit by equipping students with

skills necessary for careers that are in high demand, a fact that helps spur economic growth.

Trade schools are described in Linfield Magazine as a cheaper and simultaneously

accessible solution for all those individuals willing to acquire knowledge outside the college

system (Freedman and Davis). Due to the increased cost of higher education causing most

students to graduate with a lot of debt, trade school programs are an answer. Most of these

programs are time-bound, so the students can start their professional lives faster without straining

too much on finances. Furthermore, as highlighted in NBC News, entry into trade programs

allows people with different social and economic statuses to enter vocational education (NBC

News). Trade schools make it the cost-effective and empirical path to lucrative skills and stably

met job opportunities, thereby promoting a more equitable approach to the education system.

The change in major corporation recruiting standards seen in NBC News further

emphasizes the value of trade training (NBC News). Firms such as JP Morgan Chase and Apple

are hiring people who need a college education or skills above qualifications. This is becoming a

recognizable trend because of the realization that practical skills and training obtained from

vocational programs are beneficial. Also, the statements of people such as Allie Alcala and Juan

Medine, who had achieved success without a degree education, serve as meaningful evidence on

the effectiveness kick-off question (NBC News). Companies achieve inclusionary hiring

practices because they tap into a wide array of talent, whereby vocational education is relevant

and applicable in the current competitive job market.

The diversity and adaptation evident in trade school education are explained further by

the success stories of people from different sectors, as reflected in Linfield Magazine (Freedman

and Davis). However, this perception stands in contrast to the fact that trade school graduates do
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not have a narrow list of viable occupations, as seems apparent, and people with vocational

training are rather resourceful when it comes to handling different career paths. As already noted

by Mark Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, and Juan Medina – an immigrant who realized career

opportunities through free online training, vocational education provides people with transferable

skills that can be applied to different industries (NBC News). This emphasizes the usefulness of

trade school programs to promote lifelong learning and guarantee continued productivity for

individuals in a changing job market that is dominated by fast-paced technological disruptions

coupled with diverse workforce needs.

The benefits of trade school arise beyond the individual stories of people succeeding;

they also come as advances in economic and social relations. As depicted in the PBS NewsHour

article, the labor shortage of skilled workers, especially in industries such as manufacturing and

astronomy, causes a catastrophic obstacle to growth (Krupnick). Trade school graduates help fill

these critical positions by enhancing productivity and innovation, as well as the informed labor

market. Furthermore, trade schools are a significant solution to income inequality since they

offer students from various backgrounds opportunities for lucrative jobs, as described in the

transcription of NBC News (NBC News). This promotes more economic fluidity and lowers the

differences in wealth as well as opportunity. Moreover, the focus of training on vocational skills

and skill-based learning also matches with the change in the needs of employers; hence,

graduates from trade programs are trained to work meaningfully.

Conclusion

In conclusion, attending trade school as opposed to a four-year college after high school

has so much more gain not only financially but also in getting rewarding careers in skilled trades.

From filling into high demand for a skilled workforce to providing cheaper and more convenient
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learning opportunities, trade school ensures that students are adequately prepared prior to

venturing out into industries. Based on practical training, the potential to earn substantial

amounts of money, guaranteed employment, and developmental inculcation, trade school

education becomes an attractive alternative for individuals seeking opportunities worth pursuing

in their work lives. As the labor market is rapidly changing these days, trade school graduates

have a great economic background and an optimal environment for a good workplace.
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Works Cited

Freedman, Donna, and Laura Davis. Linfield Magazine Linfield Magazine College or Career? College

or Career? 2018.

Krupnick, Matt. “After Decades of Pushing Bachelor’s Degrees, U.S. Needs More Tradespeople.” PBS

NewsHour, 29 Aug. 2017, www.pbs.org/newshour/education/decades-pushing-bachelors-

degrees-u-s-needs-tradespeople.

NBC News. “Do You Really Need a college Degree to Have a Successful Career? | NBC News NOW.”

Www.youtube.com, 2022, www.youtube.com/embed/YX9NWYz3Gzk. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.