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High-Paying Trade Jobs Sit Empty, While High School Grads Line Up For University (npr.org)

An anonymous reader shares an NPR report: While a shortage of workers is pushing wages higher in the skilled trades, the financial return from a bachelor's degree is softening, even as the price -- and the average debt into which it plunges students -- keeps going up. But high school graduates have been so effectively encouraged to get a bachelor's that high-paid jobs requiring shorter and less expensive training are going unfilled. This affects those students and also poses a real threat to the economy. "Parents want success for their kids," said Mike Clifton, who teaches machining at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology, about 20 miles from Seattle. "They get stuck on [four-year bachelor's degrees], and they're not seeing the shortage there is in tradespeople until they hire a plumber and have to write a check."

In a new report, the Washington State Auditor found that good jobs in the skilled trades are going begging because students are being almost universally steered to bachelor's degrees. Among other things, the Washington auditor recommended that career guidance -- including choices that require less than four years in college -- start as early as the seventh grade. "There is an emphasis on the four-year university track" in high schools, said Chris Cortines, who co-authored the report. Yet, nationwide, three out of 10 high school grads who go to four-year public universities haven't earned degrees within six years, according to the National Student Clearinghouse. At four-year private colleges, that number is more than 1 in 5.

5 of 578 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting interpretation of the numbers by Jahoda · · Score: 4, Informative

    Yet, nationwide, three out of 10 high school grads who go to four-year public universities haven't earned degrees within six years, according to the National Student Clearinghouse. At four-year private colleges, that number is more than 1 in 5

    soooo, what you're telling us that 70% of public university students and 80% pf private university students successfully complete their degree?

  2. Re:Looked down on by jwhyche · · Score: 4, Informative

    Still a good point and it is true. But I guess it depends on what state you are in. Less so in the midwest and south. But more true in the new england and west cost regions.

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    I read at +2. If your post doesn't reach that level I will not see or respond to it.
  3. And he's already responded by oneiros27 · · Score: 5, Informative

    His response:

    http://mikerowe.com/2018/04/ot...

    And interested students have until June 4th to submit an application for a scholarship from his foundation:

    http://profoundlydisconnected....

    It's also worth mentioning that he's been on This Old House this last season, as they've added apprenticing to the shows (which I really like, as they have someone to ask questions about why they're doing something) :

    https://www.thisoldhouse.com/i...

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    Build it, and they will come^Hplain.
  4. Re:Nope by datavirtue · · Score: 1, Informative

    A measly year and a half? WTF did you expect in that time? Devour the shit jobs and you earn the right to be somebody.

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    I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
  5. Re:Who's gonna hire the SJW snowflakes graduating? by sexconker · · Score: 4, Informative

    This article mentioned "High Paying" jobs...and then said they only get about $50K/yr?

    That's not a high paying job.....

    Now, if I can make 6 figures a year plumbing, I truly might consider dropping out of IT and doing that....less stress, and more exercise.

    You know...last time I had to get a plumber, with what I paid, it could mean a 6 figure income!?!?!

    SO, need to look into that, but apparently not Ironworker like the article mentioned, that's not much money annually....

    $50,000 to start, being paid for training, paid to get whatever certs/licenses necessary, often in a union with full benefits including a pension, starting 4 years earlier than a typical college grad, starting with assets instead of debt, and actually having options to move upward.

    Oh, and most of these jobs will never go away. People are going to need physical buildings, plumbing, wiring, etc. far longer than they'll need any app, phone, service, website, trinket, gadget, etc.