Trade Schools: Not Just for Plumbers Anymore
The Rise of Trade Schools: Why More Students Are Choosing Hands-On Careers
As the cost of college tuition soars and job security in many traditional white-collar fields declines, more students are choosing trade schools over four-year universities. This shift is not just about saving money—it’s about job stability, financial independence, and the opportunity to enter high-demand careers with strong earning potential.
According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, enrollment in vocational programs rose by 16% from 2022 to 2023, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Students are realizing that a degree isn’t the only pathway to a great career, and in many cases, trade school offers a faster, more affordable route to success.
Why Students Are Choosing Trade Schools
1. Rising College Costs and Student Loan Debt
The average federal student loan debt in 2024 is $37,088, and with private loans, that number climbs even higher. Many students graduate from four-year universities only to struggle with underemployment, earning salaries that make loan repayment difficult.
A 2024 Strada Education Foundation study found that:
- 52% of recent four-year college graduates are underemployed within a year of graduation.
- Nearly half still don’t work in a field requiring their degree 10 years later.
Many trade school students avoid this financial burden altogether, entering the workforce quickly and without accumulating tens of thousands in debt.
2. Job Security and Growing Demand for Skilled Workers
The demand for skilled tradespeople is outpacing supply, creating stable, high-paying job opportunities. Fields such as plumbing, HVAC, welding, and electrical work are seeing a surge in demand, with many employers struggling to find enough workers.
According to Indeed’s projections (2022-2032), skilled trades jobs are growing at a rapid pace:
✔ Wind turbine technician – 45% increase, $58,005/year
✔ Solar installer – 22% increase, $69,422/year
✔ Electrician – 6% increase, $62,739/year
✔ Construction manager – 5% increase, $88,319/year
✔ Aircraft mechanic – 4% increase, $82,476/year
Trade careers provide steady employment, and with many industries facing labor shortages, skilled workers are in a strong position to negotiate higher wages and better benefits.
“Starting all the way back to COVID, people realized there was opportunity in the trades because of the employment gap,” says Kodi Wilson, campus director of National Technical Institute. “There are more jobs than employees, so wages in the trades have climbed in the last few years.”
3. The Hands-On, Practical Learning Experience
Not every student thrives in a traditional classroom setting. Many prefer hands-on, experiential learning, which trade schools emphasize. Unlike four-year college degrees that often require years of general education courses, trade programs focus directly on job-related skills.
✔ Trade school graduates enter the workforce faster—sometimes in as little as six months to two years.
✔ Apprenticeships and paid training provide real-world experience without requiring years of unpaid internships.
✔ Certifications lead directly to employment, with many students receiving job offers before they graduate.
“Many people don’t know they have access to hands-on training and apprenticeships where they get paid to learn,” says Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of JVS, a career training nonprofit. “Instead of leaving college with six-figure debt, they have no debt and a good job.”
Expanding the Definition of Trade School: Careers Beyond Construction
While most people associate trade school with plumbing, welding, and electrical work, today’s vocational education options extend far beyond traditional skilled trades. Many students are opting for trade school careers in creative and tech-driven fields, including:
✔ Graphic Design – Programs train students in digital media, branding, and user experience.
✔ Fashion Design – Hands-on training in textiles, sewing, and apparel construction.
✔ Interior Design – Learning space planning, CAD software, and industry trends.
✔ Film and Video Production – Technical skills in editing, cinematography, and set design.
✔ Home Renovation and Carpentry – Training for roles in remodeling, construction, and real estate development.
MaDonna Collingwood, founder of Studio Institute Denver, saw firsthand how traditional education wasn’t always the best path. After six years in college earning a Master’s in Interior Architecture, she struggled to find jobs because she lacked on-the-job experience.
“I did everything right—graduated top of my class, mastered technical skills—but I wasn’t getting hired,” she says. “That’s why I started a trade school where students can get real-world experience without going into massive debt.”
Today, her school trains students in interior design, construction management, and real estate, providing hands-on projects, internships, and certifications in just six months.
Check out this list of trade school careers.
The Future of Trade Education: A Smart Investment
Trade schools are proving to be a strong alternative to traditional college, offering:
✔ Lower tuition costs – Many programs cost under $10,000, compared to $100,000+ for a four-year degree.
✔ Faster entry into the workforce – Students start earning sooner rather than spending four years in school.
✔ Higher job placement rates – Many trades have worker shortages, leading to guaranteed job offers upon graduation.
✔ Entrepreneurial opportunities – Skilled tradespeople can start their own businesses in industries like home renovation, plumbing, and graphic design.
With more students reconsidering the value of a traditional degree, the shift toward trade school is only growing stronger. As more industries recognize the value of hands-on skills, trade schools will continue to provide a viable, rewarding career path for the next generation of workers.
As Countryman-Quiroz puts it:
“The U.S. is dependent on trade workers. These are careers that can’t be replaced by AI, and they offer real economic mobility. The sooner students realize this, the better.”