(NewsNation) — Generation Z is being dubbed the “toolbelt generation” as more graduates opt to enroll in trade schools rather than follow a typical high-school-to-college path.
Nearly half, 42%, of Gen Zers are currently working in or pursuing a blue-collar or skilled trade job, according to data from Resume Builder.
Of those choosing to train, 30% said trade jobs offer better long-term prospects, while 19% said they were unable find a job in their original field.
Students learning ‘actual real-life skills’ at Massachusetts trade school
At Worcester Technical High School in Massachusetts, there are 23 programs for students to choose from, each offering a different path to a skilled profession.
Whether it’s carpentry, cosmetology, biotech, electrical or plumbing, students are receiving hands-on training during their high school years.
Alex Rodriguez, a senior in the Allied Health track, tells NewsNation his program — which has already landed him a job at a hospital — certifies students in CPR and basic life support.
For senior Melissa Gomez Escobar, who’s studying plumbing, trade school is a chance to learn “actual real-life skills.”
“If I decided not to pursue it in four years,” she said, “I could work inside of my house without needing anyone else.”
It’s a similar story for junior Kyle Anuszkiewicz, an HVAC student: “Everyone needs HVAC. It’s going to be here for hundreds of hundreds of years. So, there’s always something I can do. Another reason is I could be my own boss, I could start my own company, I can make my own hours and make lots of money.
The principal at Worcester told NewsNation that roughly 20 to 30% of students go straight from graduation into the workforce, though some pursue further schooling, especially in medical practices.
Majority of Gen Zers say college wasn’t worth it
College wasn’t worth it for 51% of Gen Zers, an Indeed survey found in April, with a majority of respondents saying their degrees are a waste of money.
The survey pointed to wage benefits, degree saturation and rising living costs as potential problems with a traditional higher education path.
Trade schools are helping some students avoid those pitfalls, with roughly 1,000 on a waitlist for Worcester alone.