Plan “A”: Don't Sleep on the Skilled Trades

What do you want to be when you grow up? This is the question that many young people are asked as they plan for their future. Responses may include doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc., but many children are misled into thinking that these professions, which require a traditional four-year college path, is the only path to prosperity or success. The overwhelming influence of society was for the children to go to college after finishing high school. We need both college professionals and skilled trades professionals. The skilled trades should be viewed as a separate but equal post-K–12 pathway. It should not be considered Plan B; it is a Plan A that can empower young adults to take control of their futures and inspire them to choose a path that is right for them!

The Stigma

For years, there has been a stigma associated with skilled trades. It has been sold as a “Plan B” post-secondary school option where many children are told they can get a trade if college did not work out. This stigma has led schools nationwide to remove many in-school vocational programs where children were exposed to various careers, such as HVAC technicians, electricians and plumbers. The lack of outreach for these professions has led to a severe worker shortage due to attrition.

Ruchir Shah, CEO of SkillCat and Cofounder of the GRIT Foundation, identifies two issues contributing to the massive labor shortfall: lack of awareness and lack of access. Shah’s company SkillCat is an app that dramatically reduces barriers to getting into the trades, including access to hundreds of hours of technical training and low monthly enrollment costs. It is an excellent way for people to enter the industry. During our interview, Shah states that SkillCat “[has] already trained 300,000 people; our vision is to have millions of people learning, growing and advancing their careers on our platform.”

He also explains that a lack of access is an issue that needs to be resolved. “I got started with SkillCat because I was previously running a company in oil and gas. During COVID, everyone got laid off and went from high-paying six-figure jobs to working at grocery stores, because there [were]

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no easy ways for individuals to reskill for trade careers. Traditional trade school can also be expensive and makes [an individual] leave the workforce for several years. This is impossible for low-income folks with families and financial obligations.” Unlike traditional college careers, it is hard to make creative applications to train individuals for these in-demand careers.

Benefits of Mastering a Skilled Trade

When comparing traditional college and post-secondary education, mastering a skilled trade offers some key advantages. It is generally a fraction of the cost and can be completed without the burden of student loans. Unlike some career paths that can lead to significant debt, mastering a skilled trade brings a sense of achievement and fulfillment that is truly inspiring and motivating.

Another benefit is the gratification that comes from mastering a skilled trade or having the ability to fix something. Shah stated, “People don't realize how incredible skilled trade jobs are. You have zero debt, you make more money than most college graduates, the jobs are relatively AI-proof and job satisfaction is twice as high for individuals who like to work with their hands than office jobs.” These jobs are exceptional, but societal stigma keeps too many people away. We need to spread the word about these jobs and careers!”

The earning potential is another important consideration for mastering a skilled trade. When comparing a traditional college candidate versus a candidate mastering a skilled trade, college tuition far exceeds the cost of post-secondary education.

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According to the College Board’s Annual Survey of Colleges, full-time undergrads at an in-state four-year school paid an average of $10,940 versus a two-year program at $3,860 before room and board, totaling $7,080 more a year in tuition costs.

Click here to read more: Rescuing Children From Traditional Post K-12 School Paths