Vocabulary

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Video

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

 

Diane, News Anchor: “High School seniors are getting their caps and gowns ready because graduation ceremonies are starting this month,

But with tuition’s rising, some students are opting out of the traditional college route and choosing trade schools. ABC’s business reporter Alexis Christoforous is here with more on that.

Alexis.”

Alexis Christoforous, Business Reporter: “That’s right, Diane. So this is being dubbed the tool belt generation — more Gen Z-ers saying “no” to traditional college and “yes” to trade schools and apprenticeship programs.

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Today, with college costs soaring and millions struggling to pay student loans, more people are questioning whether a 4‑year degree is worth it, like 20‑year‑old Colby Dell, who ditched four‑year college for automotive repair school.

Colby Dell, Automotive Repair Student: “Being able to find this trade where I can go work with my hands all day, which is how I learn best, it’s incredible.

I plan on opening up my own custom body shop and custom car shop.”

Colby’s dad supports his son’s decision.

Mr. Dell, Colby’s Father: “We’re going to take that same investment we would have put into a four‑year school and help ignite his success as a business owner.”

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With private college tuition up nearly 4% from last year, according to The College Board, and tuition nearing $100,000 a year at some universities, more students are turning to trade schools, where enrollment jumped by a record 16% last year compared to just over 1% for traditional college.

As older workers retire, blue‑collar trades including electricity, plumbing, and welding, offer job security and rising pay. The average salary for a new construction hire topping $48,000 — nearly $9,000 more than an entry‑level professional services job, at $39,520.

Nonprofit organizations like SkillsUSA help train high school students in technical careers, like Gabriel Leon and his classmate Jose Hernandez.

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Gabriel will start a construction apprentice program right after high school.

Gabriel Leon, High School Student: “For some industries, college is not necessary, and I believe that you can get through just fine without college.”

Jose says job security is one reason why he’ll attend vocational college for construction management.

Jose Hernandez, High School Student: “I do believe that technology will make it easier. I do not believe that they can take our job.”

Corporate America is taking notice — companies like Google, Lowe’s, Microsoft, and Accenture offering apprenticeship programs, no college experience necessary.

CEO of Walmart U.S. “While college is great for some, it’s not exactly the right answer for everyone.”

Walmart among the companies now removing college degree requirements from some corporate jobs that pay six‑figure salaries.

In an exclusive interview with ABC News, the CEO of Walmart U.S. says having the right skills can sometimes be more important than having the right degree.

CEO of Walmart U.S. “Let’s say you wanted to be a technician, you’re a truck driver, a robot tech, or a pharmacy tech — we have those programs where you can do that on the job while you’re working, and they lead to great careers.”

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Alexis Christoforous, Business Reporter: “And while trade school may be right for some, there is still value in higher education. The data shows that college graduates, on average make at least a million dollars more, Diane, over their lifetime.”

Diane, News Anchor: “I wonder if that will change going forward with AI and whatnot. I think these students have a lot to weight.

While trade schools, they’re definitely becoming more popular, you say undergraduate enrollment last year for the first time, more popular than undergraduate enrollment since the pandemic.

What does that tell you about the future of higher education if we’re seeing this trend shift widely?”

Alexis Christoforous, Business Reporter: “I think this is really an inflection point for a lot of, uh, students now moving from high school into college, really wondering, you know, what is the value of this college education?

For millions, it will still be going to higher education . . . but that enrollment number that you talk about — up 1.2% for the first time since the pandemic — still, even with that small rise, uh, there are about a million empty seats now than there were just five years ago at major universities.

And I think that as students rethink their futures, some colleges are rethinking theirs as well.

Get this stat: so far this year, on average, about one university or college per week has announced that it will be closing, and that is because it just simply doesn’t have the funds to keep its doors open.”

Diane, News Anchor “Could this impact the cost of tuition?”

Alexis Christoforous, Business Reporter: “You know, I think a lot of the schools that are closing are smaller, they’re nonprofit; you’re not talking about those larger private institutions where, uh, you know, tuition is nearing $100,000.

So unfortunately, I don’t think that’s going to be incentive for them to bring down the cost anytime soon.”

Diane, News Anchor: “All right, we can hope, right?” Business reporter Alexis Christoforous, thank you.

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Questions

 

Plumber. All young, high school graduates enroll (or aspire to enroll) in universities. True or false?

Welder. What are some disadvantages of attending university on a four year program?

Machinist. Is the demand for trades increasing, decreasing, or remaining the same? Are trades jobs poorly paid?

HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning). People need to get a university degree to have a successful career. If you want to be successful, you need to have a college degree. Is this right or wrong?

Mason. What do Colby, Gabriel and Jose say about the trades?

Electrician. Do only contractors, construction and industry support trades, training and skilled workers?

Electronics Technician. Has the image of trade schools changed or remained the same?

Carpenter. Are universities becoming more, less, or just as popular as before? What are some trends?
 
 
 
Heavy Equipment Operator. What is the educational and career route for young people in your town, city, region, nation?

Pipe Fitter. Has this narrative changed over the years, decades and generations?

Roofer. Do (“all”) young people aspire to attend university and become a professional, white collar worker, or business person?

House Painter. Are the trades and blue-collar work looked down up?

Iron Worker. What might happen in the future?

Auto Mechanic. What could or should young people, parents, teachers, councilors, governments, the media do?