High schools, colleges and other traditional academic institutions are making space for a new track: the skilled trades.
If you follow education at all, you’ve probably heard that record numbers of young people are ditching traditional college in favor of other routes that cost less time and money. Enrollment at vocational program-focused colleges has grown by 17.6% since last fall, as the humble trades have become a fast track for many young people who no longer see a good ROI from the traditional college pathway.
So what are high schools, colleges and other traditional academic institutions doing about it? According to Cliff Whittingstall, Managing Senior Principal at construction firm PBK, they’re making room for the trades in their educational philosophy—and their facilities.
“Our firm has seen a spike in demand for facilities that can accommodate workforce development programs,” he says.
In other words, if you can’t beat them, partner with them. Here’s why this can be a viable strategy for educational organizations in the current landscape.
The case for the skilled trades
While in previous years the skilled trades operated under a cloud of perceived inferiority to other career paths, the forecast is shifting. “The perception of trade schools has undergone a significant transformation,” says Whittingstall. “Today, trade schools are no longer seen as less prestigious, limiting, or associated with ‘dirty’ work. Instead, they are recognized as essential gateways to rewarding, in-demand careers.”
Additionally, says Whittingstall, more people are realizing that a traditional college degree is not the right fit for everyone. “While previous generations pushed for a four-year university education, today people recognize that other viable career paths don’t come with the burden of student debt,” he says, pointing to trades such as HVAC, plumbing, and welding that are in high demand, provide competitive salaries and require less time and money to achieve certifications.
“Young people are recognizing that pursuing a trade offers stability, financial success, and the ability to start their careers earlier without the financial strain of student debt,” says Whittingstall. “Students can enter trade and workforce development programs as early as high school, equipping them with the necessary skills and certifications to begin earning right away.”
Changing the perception
I remember a conversation I once had with a C-suite executive of a prominent advanced manufacturing facility. He painted a vivid picture of their high-tech, brightly lit, cutting-edge facilities where you could eat off the floor—a far cry from the grimy, dim stereotype many people have about manufacturing facilities.
Today, it seems that the old perceptions around this industry—and others like it—are finally shifting closer to reality. “Modern training centers are no longer tucked away in dark, poorly equipped corners of schools,” says Whittingstall. “Instead, they feature well-designed and well-lit spaces with advanced machinery. Glass walls, daylighting, and interior visibility allow students and visitors to see these trades in action, showcasing the learning environment, highlighting the technical skill required, and the pride students take in their work.”
Additionally, Whittingstall notes that these facilities often incorporate modern amenities like collaboration spaces, comfortable seating, and areas to display student work and awards. The goal is to create an environment where students can not only learn but also socialize and innovate.
“By investing in high-quality facilities, educational institutions are elevating the status of trade programs and making them more appealing to prospective students who might otherwise consider a four-year degree,” Whittingstall says.
Betting on the trades
Educational institutions have not been blind to this shift. “Many have expanded their program offerings to include a broader range of trades, investing in innovative, performance-based facilities to better prepare students for the workforce,” says Whittingstall.
The majority of projects at PBK now incorporate workforce or Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs, even at the university level, as educational institutions adapt to meet the demand for skilled trades.
One example is how the passing of Texas House Bill 5 has helped expose students to potential career paths prior to graduation. “High schools in Texas are now offering career-specific classes that allow students to explore trades like HVAC or automotive repair before they graduate,” says Whittingstall. “These CTE centers prepare students for a direct transition into the workforce.”
One instance of a community college betting on the trades is Texas State Technical College (TSTC). Whittingstall notes TSTC now offers two-year programs focused on trades like welding, automotive technology and advanced manufacturing with cutting-edge facilities, strong industry partnerships and innovative learning models.
“Some institutions even offer job placement guarantees, ensuring that students who don’t find employment after graduation can get their tuition refunded,” he says. “This nationwide trend is aimed at addressing the labor shortage and providing students with a debt-free path to a stable career.”
The business partnership
The rapport between education and business has never been perfect, but forward-thinking organizations on both sides are trying to change that. “Businesses in every community are actively partnering with educational organizations to support the development of workforce training facilities,” says Whittingstall.
One example he often sees is companies in sectors like HVAC or automotive technology sponsoring labs or donating equipment to educational institutions.
“This partnership is mutually beneficial: businesses help address the skilled labor shortage by training future workers, while students gain access to better facilities and innovative technology.”
Of course, such collaborations also give businesses first pick of the talent pool. “By sponsoring labs or equipment, companies can form early connections with students, often recruiting the top graduates for employment after they complete their training,” Whittingstall adds. “Students benefit from high-quality facilities and resources, while businesses get a direct pipeline of skilled labor to fill their workforce needs.”
More of everything
When I address audiences on the value of all educational pathways, I tell them that though the skills gap is mostly perceived as a blue-collar problem, it’s really an all-collar problem. We need more of everything—more degrees, more certifications, more credentials, more licensures, more apprenticeships. Whittingstall’s experience confirms this.
“Most, if not all, industries are experiencing a significant demand for skilled workers,” he says. “Cybersecurity is a major area of growth due to the increasing threat of cyberattacks, while HVAC and refrigeration trades continue to see high demand, especially as the need for climate control and cooling systems grows.”
Other particularly hot trades include the automotive industry, especially with the rise of electric vehicles, which needs more training programs to support the maintenance and repair of advanced cars. Whittingstall points to advanced manufacturing, which, with the rise in automation and integrated technology, has created an increased need for people skilled in welding, robotics and CNC machining.
We really do need more of everything. The communities that can bring their education and business sectors together to deliver everything will be the ones to thrive in this fast-changing landscape.