Gen Zers skip college in favor of jobs that AI can't take
TLDRThe transcript discusses a shift in educational preferences among Gen Zers, with an increasing number opting for vocational schools over traditional colleges. Scott Sure, CEO of Lincoln Tech, explains that their students come from diverse backgrounds, including high school graduates and career changers in their 30s and 40s. Trade schools offer a more affordable education with less debt compared to four-year colleges, averaging around $14,000. Graduates face less difficulty in securing jobs due to a shortage of skilled trades. Lincoln Tech has expanded, opening new campuses in response to the growing demand for trade education. Their programs are designed to provide the necessary skills for a career in one year, with costs ranging from $20,000 to $35,000 depending on the career path. The focus of trade schools is on career readiness, avoiding the political issues that sometimes affect elite universities.
Takeaways
- 🎓 **Vocational Education Growth**: Enrollment in vocational schools has increased by 16% last year, indicating a shift towards trades.
- 👨🎓👩🎓 **Diverse Student Demographics**: Lincoln Tech's students range from fresh high school graduates to individuals in their 30s and 40s looking for career changes.
- 💼 **Career Focused**: Students are primarily interested in following their passion and launching careers, rather than accruing debt.
- 💰 **Debt Reduction**: Trade school students typically graduate with less debt, averaging around $14,000, compared to traditional colleges.
- 🛠️ **Skilled Trades Demand**: There's a shortage of skilled trades workers, leading to more job opportunities upon graduation from trade schools.
- 📈 **Employment Opportunities**: Lincoln Tech students have more job opportunities than they can fill, highlighting the demand for skilled workers.
- 🤖 **Resistant to Automation**: Jobs in skilled trades are less likely to be replaced by AI, providing job security.
- 📚 **Accelerated Programs**: Lincoln Tech offers accelerated one-year programs, equating to four semesters of college education.
- 💵 **Cost of Education**: The cost for a one-year program ranges from $20,000 to $35,000, depending on the career path chosen.
- 🔄 **Program Duration**: Programs can be as short as seven months or as long as 15 months, accommodating various career tracks.
- 🏫 **Political Neutrality**: Trade schools, unlike some elite universities, avoid political controversies and focus on career preparation.
- 🌱 **Expansion Plans**: Lincoln Tech is expanding, with a new campus in Atlanta and growth in other regions due to increased demand.
Q & A
What is the current trend among Gen Zers regarding college enrollment?
-Gen Zers are increasingly skipping college in favor of jobs that AI can't take, focusing on trades and vocational schools.
What percentage of Lincoln Tech's students are fresh out of high school?
-26% of Lincoln Tech's students are fresh out of high school.
What is the average age of students at Lincoln Tech?
-The average age of students at Lincoln Tech is 25.
How does the debt taken on by trade school students compare to that of a four-year college?
-Trade school students take on a lot less debt, with the average being around $14,000, which is significantly less than traditional schools.
What is the job outlook like for skilled trades graduates from Lincoln Tech?
-The job outlook is very positive, with employers coming to Lincoln Tech for skilled workers and more job opportunities than students.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the perception of essential workers and skilled trades?
-The pandemic has highlighted the importance of essential workers, including those in skilled trades, as they were needed to keep transportation and delivery services running.
Is Lincoln Tech expanding its campuses?
-Yes, Lincoln Tech has opened its newest campus in Atlanta and is growing, indicating a resurgence in demand for trade school education.
What is the cost for a one-year program at Lincoln Tech?
-The cost varies between $20,000 and $35,000, depending on the career path and the number of training hours required.
How long does it typically take to complete a program at Lincoln Tech?
-Programs at Lincoln Tech are accelerated, and students can complete their education in as little as one year.
Are there any issues with politics affecting the operations of trade schools like Lincoln Tech?
-Lincoln Tech does not face issues with politics as their students are focused on launching their careers and do not engage in political activities.
How does Lincoln Tech's curriculum differ from a traditional four-year college?
-Lincoln Tech's curriculum is focused on teaching only the skills needed to launch a career, which allows for a more focused and accelerated learning experience.
What is the perception of AI's impact on jobs in the skilled trades?
-AI is not expected to take away jobs in the skilled trades, as these roles often require a human touch and cannot be easily automated.
Outlines
🎓 The Shift to Trade Schools and Lincoln Tech's Role
The script discusses a growing trend of individuals choosing vocational schools over traditional colleges. Scott Sure, CEO of Lincoln Tech, which operates trade schools across 13 states, shares insights into the diverse student demographics, including high school graduates and career changers in their 30s and 40s. He emphasizes that students at trade schools tend to graduate with significantly less debt compared to those from four-year colleges, averaging around $14,000. The conversation also touches on the demand for skilled trades, with Lincoln Tech students having more job opportunities than they can fill. The discussion highlights the resilience of these jobs, even during crises like COVID-19, and the fact that AI is unlikely to replace such essential human labor. Lincoln Tech's accelerated programs aim to provide a comprehensive education in one year, with costs ranging from $20,000 to $35,000 depending on the career path. The script also mentions the opening of a new campus in Atlanta and the expansion into Houston, reflecting the resurgence in demand for trade education.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Gen Zers
💡Vocational Schools
💡Trades
💡Debt
💡Skilled Trades Shortage
💡Essential Workers
💡AI
💡Career Changers
💡Return on Investment (ROI)
💡Lincoln Tech
💡Accelerated Education
Highlights
Gen Zers are increasingly opting for vocational schools over traditional colleges.
Students from various age groups, including those in their 30s and 40s, are enrolling in trade schools.
Lincoln Tech, a network of trade schools, operates in 13 states with a diverse student demographic.
The average age of students at Lincoln Tech is 25, indicating a mix of fresh high school graduates and career changers.
Trade school graduates typically incur less debt compared to those from four-year colleges.
The average debt for trade school students is around $14,000, significantly less than traditional schools.
Graduates from trade schools face less difficulty in finding jobs due to a shortage of skilled tradespeople.
Employers are actively seeking out trade school graduates, indicating a high demand for their skills.
Trade school students were in high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the essential nature of their roles.
AI is not expected to replace jobs in the skilled trades, providing job security for trade school graduates.
Lincoln Tech has expanded with a new campus in Atlanta, reflecting a resurgence in demand for trade education.
The cost for a year at Lincoln Tech ranges from $20,000 to $35,000, depending on the program.
Trade school programs are designed to be completed in one year, offering a faster path to a career.
The duration of trade school programs varies from seven months to 15 months, accommodating different career paths.
Trade schools tend to avoid political controversies that can affect university campuses.
Students at trade schools typically attend classes for about four hours a day, allowing them to balance other responsibilities.