Today, the average college graduate leaves school with more than $27,000 in debt, and just as a new crop of students were graduating this year, the national unemployment rate for 18 to 29-year-olds was sitting at 13.8 percent.
The overall unemployment rate was just 5.4 percent at that time.
While college graduates are racking up debt during their time at school, apprentices are learning a valuable trade and earning real money. Not to mention, their prospects for future employment are much brighter.
In fact, there will be a shortage of 1.6 million skilled workers in the construction industry by 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is why organizations such as the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) celebrated National Apprenticeship Week Nov. 1 to 7.
An apprenticeship is an alternative to college that can setup anyone for a successful career. And there is a need for more people to take this route.
I wonder why you don’t see a lot of old guys working in construction.
Well then, there’s no reason to save for your children’s college education when there are better opportunities for them without a degree.
Owen:
Aren’t apprenticeship programs traditionally run and certified by unions? I know the OEI and IBEW are, as are many of the sheetmetal, ironworkers, etc. Kind of at conflict with recent legislation, no?