The job market today in 2024 is competitive and constantly changing. Also, new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence threaten to radically change the workplace throughout many industries. For this reason, high school students and entry-level workers face an important career decision of whether they should pursue an expensive college degree or begin a career in the skilled trades. With rising college tuition costs, student loan debt and a constantly changing job market, many students today are considering alternative career paths. In this blog post, we’ll describe and explore five significant advantages to choosing a career in the skilled trades over an expensive college degree.
Important Advantages of a Career in the Skilled Trades in 2024
- Training and education costs are much lower
- Skilled Trades: Training for a career in the skilled trades typically involves lower training and certification costs compared to pursuing a college degree. For example, many trade schools, community colleges and vocational programs offer very affordable tuition rates. Furthermore, many skilled trade jobs offer apprenticeship programs that pay you while you learn a trade while working on the job.
- College Degree: Obtaining a college degree can be a very expensive financial investment that many students never follow through and complete. Moreover, tuition, fees, books and living expenses can amount to tens of thousands of dollars per year throughout the duration of the program. This significant amount of debt can burden graduates and those who don’t graduate for years to come, impacting their financial stability and other opportunities.
- Learn hands on while you work on the job
- Skilled Trades: Many Skilled trades careers offer “on-the-job” learning experiences that allow an apprentice level tradesmen to develop practical skills related to their chosen skilled trade career. This type of on-the-job training is referred to as an apprenticeship program. Whether it’s HVAC, welding, carpentry, plumbing or electrical work, skilled trades apprentices gain valuable experience from journeymen level trades workers while working on-the-job and learning in a classroom.
- College Degree: While a college degree provides knowledge in theory and academic learning, they may lack the hands-on experience and practical skills necessary for certain careers. For this reason, the gap between academic theory and hands on skills can become a problem for employers and college graduates trying to start their careers.
- Quickly get into an interesting and rewarding career
- Skilled Trades: One of the most significant advantages of pursuing a career in the skilled trades is the opportunity for immediate entry into the workforce with a job that provides a good living wage. Instead of spending four years or more sitting in college classrooms, an apprentice level trades worker can begin their training through an apprenticeship, vocational program or on-the-job training and start earning a good living wage immediately.
- College Degree: Pursuing a traditional college degree often requires a significant time commitment that delays entry into the workforce and postpones potential earnings. Furthermore, the student loan debt that is accumulated while attending college can create financial challenges that can stay with the student long after they graduate. It’s important to point out that a college degree does not guarantee a good paying job or job security.
- Get a job that is in demand and has job security
- Skilled Trades: Skilled trade workers are in high demand across various industries, including construction, manufacturing, healthcare and technology. Tradesmen in the skilled trades enjoy good job security and opportunities for career advancement.
- College Degree: Today’s job market in 2024 is constantly changing as new technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) begin to become implemented throughout the economy. On the other hand, skilled trades professions remain essential, in demand and resilient to AI and other technologies that are enabling companies to lay off workers. The demand for skilled trades workers is strong today due to a growing economy, retiring workers and the modernization of facilities and infrastructure.
- Earn a good living wage
- Skilled Trades: Skilled trades careers offer competitive earning potential, job security and opportunities for career growth. Furthermore, journeyman level tradesmen with training, experience, certifications and specialized skills can obtain higher salaries and enjoy opportunities for overtime pay.
- College Degree: While obtaining a college degree may lead to a higher earning potential in certain career fields, it’s not a guarantee of a good paying job or job security. Factors such as your chosen major, demand in the industry, new technologies and geographic location can influence your earning potential, career growth and job security. Also, many careers today will be significantly impacted in the future by new technologies and artificial intelligence created to make companies more efficient and allowing them to decrease their staffing levels.
The Skilled Trades present an exciting path to job security and financial success in today’s constantly changing job market
In conclusion, high school students and entry-level workers that are undecided about their career path in 2024, should consider these advantages to pursuing a career in the skilled trades instead of an expensive college degree. The skilled trades offer a quicker career path to a good paying job, hands-on learning, lower educational costs and job security. For this reason, the skilled trades present an exciting career opportunity for high school students and other entry level workers in today’s constantly changing job market. Therefore, by considering these advantages, individuals can make better decisions about their future careers and give serious consideration for an interesting and rewarding career in one of the many different skilled trade jobs that are in demand in 2024.
Learn how to get started in the Skilled Trades
Visit and explore our website for more information about the different skilled trade jobs that are in demand today and learn how to get started in the skilled trades. It’s a great time to Go Skilled Trades and begin a new, interesting, challenging and rewarding career. Learn more today at www.GoSkilledTrades.com
