RSI is a Great Training Option for Everyone
Learn more about how we can prepare you to advance your career.
Are you ready to borrow the cost of a mortgage to go to 4-Year College? Why are Gen Z students opting for trade school over 4-year college? Instead of taking the traditional route, many Gen Zers are becoming HVAC technicians, welders, and electricians. The perception of a trade job and Gen Z’s aspirations are changing.
An astounding 50% of Gen Zers who didn’t currently work in the trades said they plan to start working in a blue-collar capacity.1 Plus, with the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), they see blue-collar work as safer from automation and generative AI than white-collar jobs. 78% percent of those polled say they notice a growing interest from young adults in trade jobs. Finally, 38% of Gen Z workers are employed in the trades. Why is Gen Z attending trade schools?
Why Gen Z are Attending Trade School?
There are many good reasons why Gen Z is attending trade school. Here are some of the most compelling:
Cost of College
The average cost of a four-year college is $27,146 per year or $108,584 over four years.2 Out-of-state students pay even more. Students who are not able to work full-time while attending college lose a median annual income of $46,748. Then there are the 20-year student loans and the interest that can cost as much as a mortgage. Many trade programs can be completed in less than one year, which dramatically reduces the cost of an education.
Get Started on the Path to a New Career
Fill out our form to learn how we can help you change your life.
Time is Money
Gen Z is considering how quickly they can start working after graduation. Can they really wait 4 years to start working, or is 1 to 2 years in a trade program a better option? Rather than take out loans and attend a four-year college, Gen Z is looking to trade schools because they know that time is money.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is replacing more white-collar jobs. Basic analytical roles, entry-level accounting, market research analysis, and advertising salespeople are just a few of the jobs that four-year college degrees prepare students for and that AI is beginning to replace.
On the other hand, trade jobs are much safer from AI. Many welding projects need a human touch, insight into welding chemistry, and the ability to contort the body to fit into tight spaces. Trade professionals like HVAC technicians, electricians, and welders need human hands and dexterity to fix HVAC systems, wire a commercial building, or weld a pipeline. These jobs are not easily replaced by artificial intelligence, which is why Gen Z are gravitating toward the trades.
Hands-On Training
Students at four-year colleges spend the majority of their time in classroom lectures. While it is important to know the theory behind the field you want to work in, for trade professionals, hands-on training is what will help them master their trade. Trade programs offer hundreds of hours working with industry standard equipment. Plus, instructors offer direct feedback and guidance through the learning process.
Want To Learn More?
If you want to learn more about our trade programs, we can equip you with the necessary skills and expertise to start your new trade career in months rather than years. Call us today at (602) 607-0024 to learn more about our trade programs.
1) https://www.creditkarma.com/about/commentary/gen-z-drives-a-resurgence-in-blue-collar-work
2) https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college
