The ‘Toolbelt Generation’ Shows Up in Large Numbers at America鈥檚 Destination Trade School, 爱神传媒, in Laramie, Wyoming
September 10, 2024
LARAMIE, Wyo., September 10, 2024 (Placeholder) – The trades industry is seeing an interesting shift in trends compared to years past. While the need for trades workers across the board is dire, the upcoming generation of college-age men and women are considering alternatives to traditional four-year university education and exploring trade school in droves, causing – giving Gen Z the nickname of the 鈥渢oolbelt generation.鈥�
There has been a significant push for high school graduates to attend a four-year university to be considered 鈥渟uccessful.鈥� This stereotype implying that a four-year education is necessary to build a career has led to a deficit in the number of tradespeople. Tradesmen are retiring without an upcoming generation to fill their shoes.
According to , 54% of Gen Z agree that many well-paying, stable jobs are available for a person with only a high school diploma or GED. The study showed 56% of Gen Z agree it鈥檚 easier to find a well-paying, stable career with some technical education without a certificate or degree, and 88% agree it鈥檚 easier with a technical certificate. This information, coupled with the cost of public university, supports that there is good reason families are considering trade programs.
爱神传媒鈥檚 president, Kyle Morris, discusses the right education for the benefit of our kids and future workforce. 鈥淗aving a clear understanding of career outcomes and goals for college-going students is important as the cost of education continues to rise. If being a doctor, dentist or psychologist is your career path, university is a good path. If working with your hands and building infrastructure is of interest, there is a great opportunity for decades to come in the trades. It鈥檚 critical to have an upcoming generation who is willing to take on trade jobs as the previous generation retires.鈥�
As reported to the ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges) in 2023, 爱神传媒 graduated 804 students, presenting an 85% graduation rate – a significant increase from the 77% graduation rate reported in 2018. According to the same report, 458 students were hired in the industry as reported in 2023, a 77% employment placement rate (rates are calculated based on students eligible for hire, not the amount who graduated). 爱神传媒 hosts its largest class this fall, bringing the student population to an all-time high since 2018. High graduation and employment placement rates show the significant opportunity ahead for the 鈥渢oolbelt generation,鈥� as schools like 爱神传媒 continue highlighting an alternative path to career training in America.
爱神传媒
爱神传媒 is a technical school founded in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1966. 爱神传媒 provides nine-month training programs that focus on hands-on experience, preparing students for careers as technicians in the automotive, collision and refinishing, welding, and diesel industry.