Employment opportunities continue to outpace enrollment
As a great mass of this nation’s students head back to four year colleges and universities this fall, a contingent will be enrolling in two-year technical education programs fueled by the promise of good jobs and good wages. Fittingly, this month Forbes released its list of stand-out trade schools who are preparing students that will help close the skills gap. While the list shines a positive light on the opportunities that exist for those who pursue careers in the trades, the numbers suggest that there is more work to do. According to the article enrollment among the 25 schools listed has dropped 15% between 2010 and 2016 and cites the National Center of Education Statistics’ findings that bachelor degrees continue to outpace associate degrees across the country.
Employers and organizations across industries continue to drive awareness of the need for skilled workers. Many companies have begun partnering with area schools to facilitate a seamless transition between college and employment, something not readily offered in schools offering conventional four-year degrees. The incentives for entering the trades continue to strengthen, while many wait for the public interest to catch up. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the trades and are seeking financial assistance be sure to look into the KeepCraftAlive Scholarship Fund with SkillsUSA. This fund was established to create a pipeline for students to continue their educations and skilled training.
Here are the top 5 two-year Trade Schools selected by Forbes. Read their article for the full list here.
- Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
Location: West Mifflin, PA
- North Central Kansas Technical College
Beloit, KS
- State Technical College of Missouri
https://www.statetechmo.edu/alphaprograms/
Linn, MO
- Lake Area Technical Institute
Watertown, SD
- Lancaster County Career and Technology Center
Willow Street, PA
