2 over 4: Trade schools edge out universities

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - It may be time to get into trading, but not the kind of trading that you do in fantasy football or playing with trading cards. More of the job variety.

“We’re seeing a big influx of kids and older people trying to get into the trades. We’re getting contacted weekly of people just wanting to get in, try something different,” said Midwestern Mechanical Vice President Brett Kaltvedt.

According to a 2020 survey conducted by Finances Online, 57% of college students agreed higher education was not worth pursuing due to high tuition costs.

Western Dakota Tech student Christian Green agreed, saying there is more of an upside in going to a two-year college instead of a four-year university.

“I think it’s personally just because you can come for two years instead of four. Pay a lot less in tuition and still come out with a job where you’re making as much or more as a four-year degree,” said Green.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of tuition and fees for a four-year institution during the 2021 academic year was more than $9,500, compared to a two-year education, which only costs $4,000.

WDT Student Saul Sanders agrees that the country is in the middle of a trade boom but says there’s another component driving the trend.

“Mostly because of the workforces going on and unemployment is a big thing that’s going on. And in the trade field, big money. At least $22 to $35 an hour,” said Sanders.

Kids right out of high school have a variety of trade opportunities to choose from, including electrical trades, welding, plumbing, and construction.

Kaltvedt says there is a nice perk you can find at trade businesses’ apprenticeship programs.

“A trade school, if you get into the right businesses, it’s free. So, there’s a lot of businesses that have their own apprenticeship programs. There’s no cost to it so you’re working 40 hours a week, plus getting in your school. You still get a certificate,” he said.

Kaltvedt says there is an even mix of kids who either go to a two-year tech school or go straight into a trade business apprenticeship program.

Kaltvedt doesn’t anticipate the trade boom going away anytime soon.

“If you talk to some major colleges around, they know they have a decline coming in the next 5 to 6 years. They know it’s coming in a decline pretty bad, just because people are trying to skip it and go into the working industry,” said Kaltvedt.

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