Apprenticeships save youth from colossal college debt
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The cost of college has become so expensive, some are starting to look for an alternative, and apprenticeships are giving young people careers without a pile of debt.
Before Mike Lauther decided welding is the dream job, he had this talk with his family:
"My grandparents were like, ‘You’re going to college.’ I’m like: ‘No I’m not.’ It’s a giant waste of time.'”
And a colossal amount of debt. In 2019, student loan debt in the U.S. hit $1.4 trillion. Lauther says he wanted another option besides college and an apprenticeship fit the bill.
“On your first day here, you knew you wanted to do this,” Lauther said.
"Yeah, I had a blast all day," Lauther said. "It was fun. ... I’m a welder, fabricator, build custom trucks.”
From manufacturing and utilities to white-collar jobs like finance and real estate, the number of people like Lauther choosing an apprenticeship between 2013 and 2018 increased 56% in this country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Article Courtesy: https://www.wpbf.com/article/apprenticeships-save-youth-from-colossal-college-debt/31112727#