Leaders.com
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
  • Master Classes
  • Business
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Executives
    • Marketing and Sales
    • Social Media
    • Innovation
    • Women in Business
  • Leadership
    • Personal Growth
    • Company Culture
    • Public Speaking
    • Productivity
    • Hiring
    • Social Issues
    • Leaders
  • Wealth
    • Investing
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Retirement
    • Venture Capital
    • Loans and Borrowing
    • Taxes
    • Markets
    • Real Estate
  • Master Classes
Company Culture Apprentice

White-collar and construction apprenticeships are growing rapidly (Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance via Getty Images)

By Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff

Tyler Hummel

Tyler Hummel

Tyler Hummel is a news writer for Leaders Media. He was the Fall 2021 College Fix Fellow and Health Care...

Full bio


Learn about our editorial policy

Mar 23, 2023

Apprenticeships Taking the Place Of College 

While the demand for colleges and universities declines, the demand for apprenticeships is increasing.  

Key Details

  • College enrollment has declined by 15% in the past decade, while demand for apprenticeships has increased to 50%. 
  • The majority of apprenticeship programs are tied to construction, but 40% are tied to white-collar jobs in information technology, finance, and consulting companies. 
  • Apprenticeship programs are becoming more competitive and sought after, with the admission rates of specific programs being comparable to Ivy League schools, according to The Wall Street Journal. 
  • Maryland aims to register 45% of graduating high school students in apprenticeships within the next eight years. 
  • American businesses and state jobs are beginning to drop college-degree requirements in favor of experience and skillsets.

Why It’s Important 

As the job market faces new challenges—a shifting job economy focused on gig work, 3.6% unemployment, 6% inflation, etc.—college degrees are becoming less advantageous for young workers who are not guaranteed 30 years of hard work and a pension. Colleges have the disadvantage of preparing graduates for specific skills they may not find applicable in the working world, burying them in an average of $37,574 in federal loans. 

The evolving economic situation has created incentives that are pushing thousands of students away from college and toward paid apprenticeships and vocational schools, which offer on-the-job training, work experience, and regular paychecks. This trend is pushing against several decades of common wisdom that college is a universally successful model for success.  

Alternative Perspective 

Not everybody agrees with the logic of the general trend away from a college education. Stanford University economist Eric A. Hanushek tells The Wall Street Journal that colleges offer a wider education with more multifaceted skills rather than apprenticeships, where students are instructed in specific tasks and skill sets that may not be beneficial in the future.  

“People get more specific skills in apprenticeship programs than they do in college, and while that helps them enter the labor market with greater ease at the beginning of their careers, later in life their skills depreciate. So at age 45 or 50 or 55, these people are less likely to stay in the labor market because their skills are less valuable,” he says. 

Home / News / Apprenticeships Taking the Place Of College 
Share
FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Related Stories

Seattle Takes The Crown For Advanced Tech Talent

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
Tech

Oct 24, 2023

Seattle tech talent

Seattle has emerged as the metro area with the most advanced tech talent, beating out tech hubs like San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Key Details

  • According to a new ranking by the Burning Glass Institute, Seattle has the highest proportion of advanced tech workers compared to other cities with similarly sized tech workforces.
  • The ranking evaluated 60 million high-paying, in-demand tech job postings and histories to identify cities with cutting-edge roles like AI and cybersecurity rather than legacy tech positions.
  • With tech giants Amazon and Microsoft headquartered in Seattle, the city edged out the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Austin, and Raleigh on the list.
  • The report found that demand for software developers and IT support specialists has declined over the past five years as companies seek more specialized tech talent.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

More Americans Can’t Keep Up With Car Payments

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff
Loans and Borrowing

Oct 23, 2023

car loans, used cars

A record number of Americans are behind on their car loan payments as higher interest rates and prices weigh on consumers.

Key Details

  • According to data from Fitch Ratings, 6.11% of car loans were at least 60 days delinquent in September, the highest since tracking began in the early 2000s.
  • Some interest rates on used cars can rise to as much as 21%, according to Bankrate.
  • Soaring prices and rising interest rates are squeezing consumers, making it difficult for some to keep up with their auto loans.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Chevron Makes $53 Billion Deal Amid Surging Gas Prices

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
Markets

Oct 23, 2023

Chevron Gas Deal

Chevron is acquiring Hess Corp. for $53 billion, the second significant oil producer acquisition this month as crude prices climb.

Key Details

  • Chevron is purchasing Hess in an all-cash deal worth $53 billion, including debt and preferred stock redemption.
  • This comes just weeks after ExxonMobil announced its $59.5 billion purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources.
  • With oil over $80 per barrel, major producers are using their windfall profits to acquire smaller players and boost payouts to shareholders.
  • Chevron expects the deal to close in H1 2023 pending regulatory approvals and Hess shareholder vote.
  • Hess CEO John Hess will join Chevron's board once the acquisition is complete.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn
nike logo
Company Culture

Oct 20, 2023

Nike to Require More In-Office Days From Employees

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff
blue collar workers
Retirement

Oct 20, 2023

Explaining The ‘C+ Grade’ Retirement Ecosystem in The United States

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
netflix building
Entertainment

Oct 19, 2023

Netflix Hiking Prices While Adding Millions of Subscribers

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff

Recent Articles

Hiring

Nov 1, 2023

Learn the Winning Answers to the Most Common Phone Interview Questions

Come to your next phone interview fully prepared

Personal Growth

Oct 30, 2023

85 Quotes on Self-Love to Boost Your Self-Esteem

Don’t fall into the trap of harsh self-criticism

Company Culture

Oct 27, 2023

What is a Sabbatical? Your Ticket to Restful Growth and Meaning

Sabbaticals can benefits both employees and businesses

  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
Join the Leaders Community

Get exclusive tools and resources you need to grow as a leader and scale a purpose-driven business.

Subscribing indicates your consent to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Leaders.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Member Login

© 2025 Leaders.com - All rights reserved.

Search Leaders.com