Apprenticeships Instead of University

Every week I literally receive hundreds of messages about the Bring Back the Trades, Inc movement. Many are simply requests on how to get started in the trades. Along with those requests come some really disturbing stories about the lack of information or outright misinformation many people are getting. I thought it would be beneficial to do a little "myth-busting" and set the record straight on a few things I've noticed along this journey. "A graduate from a trade school is now a journeyman in their trade and can expect top pay" False. While this is industry specific, as a rule, trade school gives a good primer to candidates who attend but most trades (plumber and electrician are good examples) will require 4-5 years of practical work to achieve the journeyman (or top pay) at their discipline. "You must attend trade school in order to apply for an apprenticeship program" False. Apprenticeship programs usually have few, if any, prerequisites. While they will differ by trade and location, most are awarded based on a combination of two scores, a written exam intended to gauge basic skills such as reading comprehension as well as basic math and a face to face interview. While attending trade school or working in the trades already show excellent initiative to the interview committee, it is not a requirement. "A four year degree is always superior to an apprenticeship" False. A national study by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI), has found that on average, graduates of joint labor-management apprenticeship programs in the construction industry are able to achieve wage and benefits parity with other types of workers with four-year college degrees. When the cost of college and lack of earnings for that 4 years period are considered, the apprenticeship model actually adds back over 6 figures of income. "The trades are a good alternative for kids who aren't college material" False. The trades are just another career path, requiring a different source of education. Most times kids aren't performing in school because they aren't interested in the material but when presented with something that appeals to them, their passion for learning takes on a new dimension and they actually LEARN, as opposed to memorizing things for the purpose of standardized testing. Bring Back the Trades, Inc is a skilled trades advocacy group providing mentoring, information, career fair type "skilled trades exhibitions and scholarships to those wising to attend trade school. If you are interested in getting involved, please message me here or email at doug@bringbackthetrades.com #BringBackTheTrades #skilledtrades #apprenticeships #careeropportunities

#SundayJournal #college The stigma around not going to college. High schools nationwide have pushed an idea that if you do not go to college, you could not achieve financial success, or at least it would be drastically harder. When Money Vehicle began working with schools 5 years ago, we were met with a lot of questions around our missing ‘College Chapter’. Administrators would wonder where the student loan section was, how students apply for scholarships, and the empirical evidence of how much more money you will make once you graduate from college. Our response was very simple – We do not believe most students will go to college and are focused on the financial actions all students will take. While the last 50 years have seen the competitive advantage a college degree would give in the workforce as priceless, this notion is being challenged today as both the college ROI and the employment opportunity continues to shift in a new economic reality. It is hard to believe textbooks are not being used in schools and that every student should not go to college if your last experience in one of these schools was over a decade ago. Sure, there are pieces that were fast forwarded due to the pandemic, but the truth is that this stigma around not going to college is fading fast! Student’s today are asking a simple question ‘What will my finances look like on the other side of this decision’? When you begin to see the exponential growth of college tuition without an exponential growth of college degree salaries, you may ask the same question. Then you take into consideration the employment market, where technology jobs that have been exemplified for the current generation are also being questioned as to their stability. What seems like annual technology layoffs and the introduction of AI, students who are pursuing this pathway are also wondering if it is financially the most stable. Students should be encouraged to research a variety of options that lead down a variety of paths but with the knowledge that how they use their paycheck and not the paycheck itself will lead to their financial success. There is no one size fits all financial plan nor is there a one size fits all financial path. The options around apprenticeships and trade schools are becoming much more tangible for students today who see career paths that do not require debt and at least for the moment have employability in the future. The stigma of everyone needing college is fading, how it will be replaced is for the next generation to decide.

𝟯 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗲 - Great to see the Multiverse - Northeastern University apprenticeship pathway to a degree in Data Analytics profiled in two podcasts in the last couple weeks. Edtech Insiders and Apprenticeship 2.0 (links in the comments). 𝗧𝘄𝗼 - National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD) officially launched yesterday with a simple and beautiful premise - “Imagine if your job led to your degree, not the other way around.” 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 - The U.S. Department of Labor has issued proposed changes to the rulemaking on apprenticeships - the first major revision since 2008. Apprenticeships for America has done good work reviewing and issuing recommendations on changes to these proposed updates. The goal - rule changes that make apprenticeships more scalable across the US (and particularly, more attractive to employers). 🔍 If you squint, you can see a future where the learning done through real work is recognized for the credit it deserves. You can see a post secondary landscape with greater choice, more relevancy, and less debt. 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀: shorter apprenticeships throughout your career, earning credits, AND gaining experience. Shorter apprenticeships stack towards meaningful credentials. Instead of 4 years of learning and you’re done, your degree is woven through the first 10 years of your career, while working. No crazy student debt, just skills that both matter to employers and help individuals advance professionally. #apprenticeships #workbasedlearning #highereducation

Apprenticeships are growing as colleges are proving not to be for everyone. But apprenticeships are not growing fast enough. Other parts of the world have figured this out. The US is far behind. So what may be the catalyst to help accelerate the adoption? One major movement, spearheaded by Ryan Craig, is catching on. His book: Apprentice Nation shows how the US may get the edge it needs over other nations. But is this enough? Do we need to think of other ways to help our younger generation become more productive and obtain gainful employment without spending 4 years in college, and amass a $50K-$500K debt? One effective method is mandatory internship in college. But what about high school? I feel this mindset should start earlier in a student’s life and they should be helped to decide a more appropriate path forword. I also think AI can become a great tool in this endeavor. Here are some examples: 1. Skill Matching and Personalization: AI can analyze a vast amount of data to match candidates with the most suitable apprenticeship programs based on their skills, interests, and career goals. This personalized approach can improve the effectiveness of apprenticeship programs. 2. Learning and Training Optimization: AI can tailor the learning materials and pace to suit the individual needs of apprentices. It can also provide interactive and engaging educational content, making the learning process more efficient and enjoyable. 3. Labor Market Analysis: AI can analyze trends in the labor market, identifying skills in demand and potential future trends. This information can help in designing apprenticeship programs that are aligned with current and future job market needs. 4. Mentorship and Support: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can provide real-time support and guidance to apprentices, answering queries and offering advice. This can enhance the learning experience and provide support outside of traditional mentoring hours. 5. Performance Tracking and Feedback: AI systems can track the progress of apprentices, providing continuous feedback and identifying areas that need improvement. This can help in ensuring that apprentices are meeting their learning objectives effectively. 6. Efficient Administration: AI can automate many administrative tasks related to apprenticeship programs, such as enrollment processes, scheduling, and compliance monitoring. This can reduce the administrative burden and allow more focus on the training and development aspects. There are additonal ways AI can help such as: with networking, community building, and program effectiveness. Not surprisingly, these are very similar ways AI can help HCM advance employees in their jobs and careers, and even before they get hired. By teaming with highschools and colleges and implementing ready-to-get-hired programs, students will find themselves on appropriate paths for meaningful employment! #ai #apprenticeships #highereducation #gdp #economy