Results from a recent survey from the American Staffing Association (ASA) show that 33 percent of adults in the U.S. would recommend that graduating high school seniors opt to attend a vocational or trade program. That is compared to 28 percent of respondents who encourage young adults to further their education at a four-year college or university.
The survey, conducted between April 21-23, included 2,093 participants aged 18 and older. Its findings were released during graduation season for the largest class of graduates in recent history at an estimated 3.9 million, according to research cited by ASA.
Thirteen percent of those surveyed would advise teens to enter the workforce while 11 percent suggest entering an apprenticeship.
Generation Z (defined in this instance as those ages 18-28) was the sole age demographic to advocate for college (36 percent) over trade or vocational school (22 percent). Meanwhile, support for vocational and trade school pathways to careers was most prominent among Baby Boomers (ages 61-79) at 41 percent followed by Gen X (ages 45-60) at 37 percent, and millennials (ages 29-44) at 31 percent.
“The time has come to radically rethink how we’re preparing America’s future workforce,” Richard Wahlquist, ASA’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Americans are clearly concerned that colleges and universities are failing to equip students with the workplace-relevant skills that employers need.
“These results underscore the importance of educators, policymakers and parents coming together now to develop, fund and support programs designed to prepare young people for the jobs of today and the future world of work,” Wahlquist continued.
