Gen Zers skip college in favor of jobs that AI can't take

The transcript discusses the growing trend among Gen Zers to bypass traditional four-year colleges in favor of vocational schools, focusing on trades that are less likely to be automated by AI. 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 an average debt of around $14,000, which is significantly less than traditional colleges. Graduates from trade schools often find themselves in high demand, with employers seeking out skilled tradespeople. Lincoln Tech, with campuses in 13 states, is expanding to meet the resurgence in demand for trade education, offering accelerated programs that provide a year's worth of education in less time. The cost varies between $20,000 and $35,000 depending on the program, and students can complete their training in as little as seven months. The focus of trade schools is on career readiness, with minimal interference from political issues that sometimes affect elite universities.

Takeaways

• 🎓 **Shift in Education Focus**: Gen Z is increasingly opting for vocational schools over traditional colleges, focusing on trades.
• 📈 **Enrollment Trends**: Vocational schools saw a 16% increase in enrollment last year, indicating a growing preference for trade education.
• 👥 **Diverse Student Demographics**: Trade schools attract a wide range of students, from recent high school graduates to individuals in their 30s and 40s looking to change careers.
• 💼 **Career Change Opportunities**: Many students who found college unsuitable are turning to trade schools to pursue their passions and launch new careers.
• 💰 **Debt Reduction**: Trade school students typically graduate with less debt compared to those from four-year colleges, averaging around $14,000.
• 📈 **Return on Investment**: The lower debt load combined with competitive wages makes trade school education a good investment.
• 🔧 **Skilled Trades Shortage**: There is a shortage of skilled trade workers, leading to high employment rates for trade school graduates.
• 🌟 **Essential Workforce**: Trade school students often fill essential roles in society, such as transportation and delivery services, which were in high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 🚀 **Resilience to Automation**: Jobs in skilled trades are less likely to be replaced by AI, providing a stable career path.
• 🏫 **Expansion of Trade Schools**: Lincoln Tech, a network of trade schools, is expanding with new campuses, reflecting the resurgence in demand for trade education.
• 💲 **Cost and Duration**: Trade school programs are accelerated, with costs ranging from $20,000 to $35,000 for a one-year program, depending on the career path.
• 🏛️ **Political Neutrality**: Unlike elite universities, trade schools tend to avoid political controversies, focusing instead on career preparation.

Q & A

What is the current trend among Gen Zers regarding college education?

Gen Zers are increasingly skipping college and opting for jobs that AI cannot replace, focusing on trades.

What percentage of students at Lincoln Tech come from vocational schools?

16% of students at Lincoln Tech come from vocational schools.

What is the average age of students at Lincoln Tech?

The average age of students at Lincoln Tech is 25.

What is the typical debt load for students who graduate from a trade school?

On average, students leave trade schools with around $14,000 worth of debt, which is significantly less than traditional colleges.

How does the job market look for graduates of trade schools?

There is a shortage of skilled trades, and graduates do not have much trouble finding jobs after school.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the perception of trade jobs?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people realized the importance of essential workers, many of whom were in trades, leading to a greater appreciation for these jobs.

Is Lincoln Tech expanding its campuses?

Yes, Lincoln Tech has opened its newest campus in Atlanta and is growing due to a resurgence in demand.

What is the cost for a one-year program at Lincoln Tech?

The cost for a one-year program at Lincoln Tech ranges from $20,000 to $35,000, depending on the career path.

How long does it typically take to complete a program at Lincoln Tech?

Programs at Lincoln Tech are accelerated, with completion times ranging from seven months to 15 months.

Are there any political issues affecting trade schools like Lincoln Tech?

Lincoln Tech does not face political issues as its students are focused on launching their careers and do not engage in such matters.

How does the job security of trade jobs compare to other sectors, especially considering advancements in AI?

Trade jobs are considered more secure and less likely to be taken over by AI, providing long-term stability for workers.

What is the daily schedule like for students at Lincoln Tech?

Students at Lincoln Tech attend classes for about four hours a day, allowing them to manage family or work responsibilities concurrently.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Trade Schools: A Growing Alternative to College

The first paragraph discusses the rise in popularity of trade schools as an alternative to traditional four-year colleges. Scott Sure, CEO of Lincoln Tech, explains that their student body is diverse, including both high school graduates and career changers in their 30s and 40s. He emphasizes that trade schools offer a more affordable education with less debt compared to traditional colleges, with students graduating with an average debt of $14,000. The demand for skilled trades is high, leading to more job opportunities for graduates. Lincoln Tech has expanded to 13 states, with new campuses opening in Atlanta and Houston to meet the resurgence in demand. The education at Lincoln Tech is accelerated, allowing students to complete their program in one year, with costs ranging from $20,000 to $35,000 depending on the career path. The school focuses on providing practical skills for immediate employment, and the students are not distracted by political issues often found in elite universities.

Keywords

Gen Zers

Gen Zers refers to the generation of people born in the mid-1990s to the early 2010s, often characterized by their familiarity with technology and social media. In the context of the video, it discusses how this generation is choosing to skip traditional college education in favor of job opportunities that are less likely to be automated by AI.

AI

AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, which is the development of computer systems to perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence. The video discusses the concern that AI could potentially take jobs, but highlights that certain trades are less likely to be automated, making them attractive career choices.

Vocational Schools

Vocational schools are educational institutions that provide training in specific trades or职业技能, such as automotive repair or culinary arts. The video mentions a 16% increase in enrollment in these schools, indicating a shift towards more hands-on, practical education.

Trade Schools

Trade schools are a type of vocational school that focuses on teaching specific trades. They are highlighted in the video as an alternative to four-year colleges, with an emphasis on the practical skills that are in demand and less susceptible to automation.

Debt

Debt, in the context of the video, refers to the financial obligation that students incur when they take out loans to pay for their college education. It is mentioned as a common issue with four-year colleges, whereas trade schools are said to result in significantly less debt for students.

Skilled Trades

Skilled trades are jobs that require specialized training and expertise, such as electricians, plumbers, or mechanics. The video discusses a shortage of workers in these fields and how trade schools are helping to fill that gap.

Career Changers

Career changers are individuals who switch from one career field to another, often due to dissatisfaction or a desire to pursue a different passion. The video notes that trade schools cater to this demographic, as they offer a way to quickly retrain and transition into a new career.

Essential Workers

Essential workers are those who perform jobs that are crucial to the functioning of society, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The video points out that many students from trade schools fall into this category, highlighting the importance and resilience of these jobs.

Lincoln Tech

Lincoln Tech is a for-profit organization that operates trade schools across 13 states in the US. The CEO of Lincoln Tech is interviewed in the video, discussing the benefits of trade school education and the demand for skilled workers.

Return on Investment (ROI)

ROI is a financial term used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment. In the video, it is used to describe the value that students receive from attending a trade school, particularly in comparison to the higher cost and debt associated with traditional four-year colleges.

Resurgence in Demand

Resurgence in demand refers to a renewed or increased interest in a particular area or service. The video discusses how there has been a resurgence in demand for skilled trades, leading to growth and expansion in trade schools like Lincoln Tech.

Accelerated Education

Accelerated education is a form of learning where the curriculum is condensed and delivered at a faster pace, allowing students to complete their education in a shorter period. The video mentions that Lincoln Tech's program is accelerated, enabling students to get a year's worth of education in less time.

Highlights

Gen Zers are increasingly opting for vocational schools over traditional colleges.

Lincoln Tech, a trade school network, has seen a diverse age group of students enrolling, from high school graduates to career changers in their 30s and 40s.

The average age of students at Lincoln Tech is 25, indicating a mix of fresh graduates and career changers.

Students at trade schools tend to take on significantly less debt compared to those attending four-year colleges.

The average debt for students leaving trade schools is around $14,000, which is substantially less than traditional schools.

There is a shortage of skilled trades, leading to strong job prospects for trade school graduates.

Employers are actively seeking out graduates from trade schools due to a high demand for skilled workers.

Trade school students were in high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the essential nature of their jobs.

Lincoln Tech has expanded with a new campus in Atlanta, indicating a resurgence in demand for trade education.

The cost for a one-year program at Lincoln Tech ranges from $20,000 to $35,000, depending on the career path chosen.

Lincoln Tech's accelerated program provides as much education in one year as four semesters at a traditional college.

The duration of programs at Lincoln Tech can range from seven months to 15 months.

Unlike elite universities, trade schools like Lincoln Tech do not face disruptions due to political issues.

Students at trade schools are primarily focused on launching their careers and do not engage in political activities.

The essential nature of skilled trades means that jobs in these fields are not likely to be replaced by AI.

Scott Sure, CEO of Lincoln Tech, emphasizes the long-term stability and importance of jobs in the skilled trades.

Trade schools are adapting their curriculum to teach only the necessary skills needed to launch students' careers.

There is a growing recognition of the value of trade education as an alternative to traditional college education.