Introduction
Nowadays, society emphasizes the importance of a traditional university degree, which is believed to facilitate personal success and career opportunities. In turn, the stigma surrounding trade education contributes to the common perception that trade careers are inferior or less prestigious than university ones. This negative perception has led to a lack of trade and investment in education, a shortage of skilled workers, and limited opportunities for those seeking a career in trade.
Such a stigma has real-world consequences, discouraging students from pursuing trades. However, while a university path might entail competition for jobs, student debt, and stress, trade school graduates often enjoy competitive pay, applicable experience and skills, and job security. This is why students should be encouraged to pursue careers in the trades.
Benefits of Trade Education
Faster Entry into the Workforce
One of the most significant benefits of pursuing a trade career is that it provides students with a quicker path to entering the workforce. Unlike traditional four-year college degrees, trade programs typically take two years or less to complete, allowing students to start earning a living and building their careers sooner (Holland & DeLuca, 2016). Additionally, trade programs often offer hands-on training and apprenticeships, which provide students with real-world experience and practical skills that employers highly value.
For many high school students, pursuing a traditional four-year college degree may not be the best fit. Trade careers offer a valuable alternative that enables students to acquire practical skills and hands-on experience while avoiding the high costs of tuition and student debt (AfetiMakgato, 2020). Additionally, trade careers offer excellent earning potential, with many skilled trade workers earning salaries on par with, or even higher than, those of college graduates.
Hands-On Training and Real-World Experience
When considering trade schools, it is essential to recognize that they are not only advantageous for their shorter program lengths but also for their focus on practical skills. Unlike traditional universities and colleges, trade schools are centered on hands-on training that prepares learners for careers in specific fields.
One significant advantage of trade schools is that they offer apprenticeships and on-the-job training to students before allowing them to graduate and work independently (OECD, 2022). Through these programs, students have the opportunity to work with professionals in their field, simulate real-world work environments, and apply the skills they have learned in class to practical situations (OECD, 2022). This approach ensures that learners develop not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills required to succeed in their chosen careers.
Moreover, trade schools focus on teaching practical skills essential to the workplace. These skills include technical skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking, among others (OECD, 2022). Thus, unlike traditional universities and colleges that emphasize theoretical knowledge, trade schools ensure students have the skills to apply what they learn in practical settings.
Learning Flexibility and Accommodation of Diverse Learning Styles
Furthermore, choosing trade schools is beneficial not only for acquiring valuable experience but also for tailoring one’s learning style to individual needs. Trade schools typically offer alternative educational opportunities that cater to diverse learning approaches (Carter & Hedge, 2020). Not all students learn the same way, and traditional classroom-based learning may not align with everyone’s preferred learning style. While universities often focus primarily on theoretical and classroom-based education, trade schools are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to enter the workforce immediately after graduation (Carter & Hedge, 2020). Therefore, trade schools provide students with practical learning experiences tailored to their diverse needs.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Skilled Tradespeople
Another reason to motivate more students to enroll in trade school is the opportunity to meet the current demand for skilled tradespeople. While demand for skilled workers in fields such as healthcare, technology, and business continues to grow, there is also a growing need for skilled labor in construction, manufacturing, and transportation (Mouzakitis, 2010). According to a report by the Conference Board of Canada, by 2030, Canada will need to fill nearly six million jobs (There’s a revolution happening in skilled trades, n.d.). Almost half of these jobs would be openings in the skilled trades and technologies (There’s a revolution happening in skilled trades, n.d.). As a result, resolving this issue requires increasing the number of students enrolling in trade school programs.
When reviewing the issue of labor shortages and demand, it is evident that it is an acute problem not only in one nation but across the world. The problem has intensified recently due to the aging workforce and the younger generation’s declining interest in trades. By convincing the younger generation that trades are a promising job path, it will be possible to mitigate the issues in the job market and help both employers and employees (Mouzakitis, 2010).
For this purpose, collaborating with high schools and organizations can help show students the prospects and experiences they can expect from trade schools. Therefore, the workforce dilemma will be solved if students choose to enter these trades. Consequently, this will benefit both employers and employees, as the former will be able to minimize disruptions, and the latter will have secure employment and job opportunities.
Job Security and Resilience to Economic Downturns
Speaking of job security, it is essential for many high school students when deciding between attending a trade school and pursuing a university education. Both trades and universities can offer job security and give students flexible skills. However, in many cases, one can find greater job security in trades education than in university education (Guile & Unwin, 2019). As mentioned, this is because trade skills are in high demand across many industries.
As a result of increased demand, it is not only easier for trade school graduates to find jobs, but also a much simpler task, with more options. Moreover, employment security can be attributed to the fact that trade careers are more resilient to economic downturns (Guile & Unwin, 2019). In turn, students with majors in marketing, business, languages, psychology, and other fields may face high competition in their industries or encounter employment challenges during economic downturns.
Lower Educational Costs and Reduced Student Debt
Additionally, it is essential to consider not only the prospects but also the immediate benefits of trade schools. Tuition fees at trade schools are usually more affordable than those at universities (Love et al., 2021). Moreover, since the course is usually shorter, students can save money on living expenses such as accommodation and food.
Another immediate advantage of trade education is its earning potential. Graduates of trade schools can enter the workforce quickly and start earning a salary (Love et al., 2021). This means they can start repaying any student loans they may have taken out sooner.
In contrast, a university education can offer higher long-term earning potential but may require a greater investment in education (Love et al., 2021). Moreover, since university programs are much more expensive, graduates often face high levels of student debt. As a result, even if university graduates earn more than their trade school counterparts, their debts are significant as well.
Improved Mental Health and Work–Life Balance
Mental health and happiness are compelling reasons for students to consider a trade school over a university. University can be highly stressful due to the workload of assignments, tutorials, classes, tests, quizzes, and reports, whereas trade schools tend to be more physically demanding. Students may have more flexibility and a better school-life balance when pursuing a vocational career.
Academic stress is the most significant factor affecting the mental well-being of university students (Saleh et al., 2017). Almost 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one psychological condition during the 2020–2021 academic year, according to a Health Minds Study survey conducted in 2022 (Lipson et al., 2022). Students who struggle in high school often need a sense of belonging and purpose and do not require the added stress of a demanding student workload, which many university students encounter. This is why students need to decide what would best suit their interests and which workload they prefer.
Career Versatility and Adaptability to Changing Job Markets
Finally, when students decide where to continue their education after high school, they often consider the versatility of the programs offered. While university programs are typically applied in specific fields, trade schools prepare students for a variety of careers (Guile & Unwin, 2019). University programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive and in-depth education in a specific field (Guile & Unwin, 2019). This approach is ideal for students who have already chosen a career path and want to gain expertise in their chosen field. However, this means that the skills and knowledge gained in university programs are often limited to a specific industry or occupation, making it difficult for graduates to transition to other fields.
Trade schools, in contrast, focus on preparing students for a range of careers in various industries (Guile & Unwin, 2019). They offer programs that cover a broad range of skills and knowledge that are relevant to multiple fields. This makes it easier for graduates to explore different career paths and adapt to changing job markets.
Conclusion
Hence, students should be encouraged to pursue trades, as graduates in these fields often enjoy competitive salaries, practical experience, and job stability. In contrast, university graduates may face increased competition for employment, student debt, and higher stress levels. One advantage of choosing a trade job is that it gives students a faster route into the industry. It is also crucial to ensure that students receive hands-on training and practical skills from trade schools.
Furthermore, some people’s learning styles benefit from attending vocational schools. Vocational schools typically offer alternative educational options that cater to diverse learning styles and needs. The opportunity to meet current demand for qualified tradespeople and enjoy job stability is another motivation for more students to enroll in trade school.
Moreover, trade school tuition is typically less expensive than university tuition. Some compelling arguments for choosing a trade school over a university include improved mental health and greater happiness. Lastly, trade schools train students for a range of jobs, not just one field.
References
Afeti, G., & Makgato, M. (2020). New models for technical and vocational education and training. IGI Global.
Carter, G. W., & Hedge, J. W. (2020). Career pathways: From school to retirement. Oxford University Press.
Guile, D., & Unwin, L. (2019). The Wiley handbook of vocational education and training. Wiley.
Holland, & DeLuca, S. (2016). “Why wait years to become something?” Low-income African American youth and the costly career search in for-profit trade schools. Sociology of Education, 89(4), 261–278.
Lipson, Zhou, S., Abelson, S., Heinze, J., Jirsa, M., Morigney, J., Patterson, A., Singh, M., & Eisenberg, D. (2022). Trends in college student mental health and help-seeking by race/ethnicity: Findings from the national healthy minds study, 2013–2021. Journal of Affective Disorders, 306, 138–147.
Love, M., Ramlall, S., & Cross, T. (2021). Handbook of research on future of work and education: Implications for curriculum delivery and work design. IGI Global.
Mouzakitis. (2010). The role of vocational education and training curricula in economic development. Procedia, Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2(2), 3914–3920.
OECD. (2022). OECD reviews of vocational education and training strengthening apprenticeship in Scotland, United Kingdom. OECD Publishing.
Saleh, Camart, N., & Romo, L. (2017). Predictors of stress in college students. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 19–19.
There’s a revolution happening in skilled trades. (n.d.). The Conference Board of Canada.