Skilled trades, not college, are the future of the U.S. economy

Our education system, with its hyper-focus on four-year colleges, has failed its students. For example,: Over the past 20 years, we have created twice as many bachelor's degrees as jobs to employ those who have earned them.

Over 40% of recent graduates are underemployed, meaning that they're working in jobs that don't require their degree. A 2020 survey found that only a third of undergraduates see their educations as advancing their career goals, and barely one in five think the BA is worth the cost. 

The current labor shortage suggests that skills in fields like manufacturing, logistics and home-building are likely to remain long in demand.

At a time of growing income inequality and diminished opportunity, a return to basic skills education promises a new future for America's working and middle class. This shift may not please many in the education bureaucracy, but it could provide a way up for millions of young Americans.

According to SkillsUSA, there are 5.6 million unfilled skilled jobs today – 75 % of which don’t require a four-year degree. The National Association of Manufacturers reports that nearly 3.5 million new manufacturing jobs alone likely will be needed over the next decade. At the same time, demand for housing construction will also continue to increase. If we cannot fill these positions with skilled workers, business and homeowners will see more delayed projects and higher home prices.

Many programs and organizations are addressing pieces of the skills gap, but what we need most is a change in perception. We need to break the decades-old loop and challenge young people to explore the trades. It’s critical for those key influencers to teach the advantages of skilled trades and how they might be a better fit for some lifestyles – job flexibility, potentially high wages and the opportunity for creativity and pride of ownership.

According to the National Association of Manufacturers, the average U.S. manufacturer worker earned $81,289 annually in 2015, including pay and benefits. That’s higher than the average salaries for many positions that require four-year college degrees.

We need to give students opportunities to explore careers in the trades and advocate for vocational education programs to be reintroduced to schools so that they know all their career options.

With BlockTrain, companies within skilled trade industries can help change perceptions by: marketing your jobs and products through the eyes of real career seekers; providing real-world stories of personal success and benefit; and serving as a voice for the industry with testimonials about becoming a skilled tradesperson.

It’s clear that skilled trades must be marketed in a different manner. They are not “dirty jobs.” If anything, they can be truly liberating, allowing an individual to be his or her own boss, to answer to no one but themselves, to occupy a position of genuine social status.

Start exploring your skilled trades career today here!