A recent story in the Wall Street Journal detailed how Gen Z is abandoning the traditional college pathway for blue-collar jobs and trade schools. The number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges rose 16% last year to its highest level since the National Student Clearinghouse began tracking such data in 2018. The ranks of students studying construction trades also rose 23% during that time, while those in programs covering HVAC and vehicle maintenance and repair increased 7%. The article cites higher-paying jobs, less debt, and greater financial freedom as the primary reasons for the Gen Z influx into trades. 4/02/2024