Many of today’s young students and rising professionals are characterized by their curiosity. ”The Why Generation,” as Gen Z and younger millennials have been described by authors and speakers, is not afraid to challenge the status quo, whether it’s in regards to office culture, workplace expectations or even our understanding of higher education.
It’s no secret that students today are more unsure than ever when it comes to college. Questions regarding soaring higher education costs and daunting student loan debt only contribute to uncertainty in the value of college. As a result, fewer and fewer high school graduates are pursuing a post-secondary degree. In April 2024, The Wall Street Journal documented these shifting priorities and coined a new nickname for Gen Z learners: “The Toolbelt Generation.”
As author Te-Ping Chen explains, the “Toolbelt Generation” refers to a rising group that is choosing to forgo a four-year college path in favor of Career and Technical Education (CTE), which prepares students for careers in welding, plumbing, HVAC, construction and many other fields. Often seen as leading to dirty, low-paying and undesirable careers, these CTE programs saw sharp declines in both enrollment and funding throughout the 1990s and 2000s, as graduating high schoolers were encouraged to complete four-year degrees as their ticket to a successful career. Now, we’ve been met with a generation that’s willing to question this approach, one that’s willing to ask “why?” A generation that, by seeking alternative pathways to rewarding careers, is beginning to redefine our idea of success.
With CTE, students enjoy hands-on learning and practical, on-the-job training. In the classroom, CTE students shape their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which they then apply with extensive real-world application. At Lake Land, our CTE programs are developed with local business partners, creating a direct pipeline of highly-skilled technicians who have already gained immense work experience by the time they graduate. In fact, our apprenticeship and Tech 2 Day programs blend the worlds of industry and education and allow our students to earn competitive wages while they complete their credentials.
By earning while they learn, completing credentials in a relatively short period of time and paying an affordable tuition and fee rate, our CTE students frequently graduate financially solvent and are well prepared for the regional workforce. In addition, recent trends show that starting salaries in many of these fields have rapidly increased alongside the demand for the corresponding skillsets. And, since our CTE students often graduate with little to no loan debt, they are not limited by the burden of student loans in pursuing life passions, such as taking a vacation, purchasing a home or supporting a hobby.
Even with these clear advantages, many may still avoid CTE pathways, perceiving them to lead to dirty, mundane careers. However, the reality is that new and emerging technologies and automations have transformed modern-day factories into state-of-the-art workplace environments. CTE also extends far beyond the fields people most typically associate it with, such as welding or construction. In fact, we’re proud to prepare our CTE graduates for immediate success in nearly every industry, from agriculture, healthcare, IT, STEM and many more. At Lake Land, CTE students enjoy realistic learning opportunities in all these fields, as our cutting-edge technology allows them to practice techniques with virtual welding equipment, take a test drive on CDL simulators, explore virtual cadavers and even care for patients in an ambulance simulator.
When talking about CTE last year, I discussed the ongoing skills gap we are experiencing in Illinois, where more than half of all jobs require training between the high school and bachelor’s levels and only 40% of the workers match that criteria. Now, it remains clear as ever to me that CTE is the key to bridging this gap. CTE workers are the ones we rely on every day to manufacture the goods and provide the services that our communities need to thrive.
Throughout February, Lake Land College joins the nation in celebration of CTE Month, taking the time to reflect on the wonderful advantages these programs provide both to students and to society as whole. As “The Why Generation” continues to question the four-year education route, we must encourage these young learners to apply their curiosities in pursuit of alternative educational pathways. We must inspire them to engage their critical, creative minds and employ their talents in rewarding CTE careers.
As CTE Month continues, I look forward to discussing your ideas on how we can raise awareness of the benefits of Career and Technical Education.
For more of my thoughts about a range of innovative topics that impact higher education, our communities and our future, be sure to check out the Laker Advantage Podcast: Insights and Sidebars with Dr. B on Spotify.