Author: Jeff DeBellis
The landscape of education and work is shifting, with Generation Z leading the charge towards careers in the trades. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, young workers are increasingly opting for vocational training over traditional college degrees. This national trend is mirrored within the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), where enrollment data highlights a growing interest in Construction Technologies and Industrial Technologies programs.
A Shift Towards Technical Education
Recent years have seen a national uptick in vocational program enrollment, with a 16% increase last year in vocational-focused community colleges. North Carolina has reflected this trend, as seen in the postsecondary award enrollment data published in NCCCS’s Data Dashboards. Aside from high school transfer pathways, Construction Technologies and Industrial Technologies experienced the greatest rates of growth among all NCCCS programs between Fall 2018 and Fall 2023 – a remarkable achievement considering the dramatic enrollment declines in in-person, hands-on programs during the pandemic.
Construction Technologies – led by programs in Electrical Systems, Air Conditioning/Heating/Refrigeration, and Construction Management – has shown an impressive 25.9% increase in enrollment in the past five years. Not far behind, programs in Industrial Technologies – almost entirely driven by growth in Welding Technology – have seen an enrollment growth of 8.0%.
Why the Shift?
The reasons behind this shift are multifaceted. The Wall Street Journal article suggests that rising pay in the trades, the high cost of college education, and the job security offered by advanced vocational skills in the face of automation are significant factors. Moreover, Gen Z's perception of trade jobs as viable and rewarding career paths is influencing their educational choices. This surge comes at a time when the need for housing and industrial construction jobs is rising across North Carolina and an increasingly high-tech manufacturing industry is evolving to meet the needs of Industry 4.0.
Postsecondary education in North Carolina has been adapting to the changing needs of students and employers. Some NC Community Colleges have recently partnered with the Carolinas Associated General Contractors (CAGC) to launch Construction Bootcamps. These 8-to-10-week programs offer students greater flexibility in acquiring essential trade skills. According to NCCCS, these bootcamps represent an innovative educational model, providing an expedited route to industry-recognized credentials while fostering direct connections with potential employers.
Looking Forward
The increasing enrollment in Construction Technologies and Industrial Technologies programs, while still relatively modest in overall size, signals a potential shift in North Carolina’s student preferences, moving towards practical and skill-based careers. This trend not only highlights an interest among students in securing employable skills but also points towards a wider acknowledgment of the value in vocational education and the varied postsecondary career paths available.