College ≠ Guaranteed Success
“Go to college, get a degree, live happily ever after.” That mantra shaped a generation—but it’s no longer the only (or even the best) path to a thriving future. With tuition costs soaring and AI reshaping white-collar work, many families are discovering a faster, more affordable, debt-free route: the skilled trades.
Why Skilled Trades Are Booming
| Trade | Median U.S. Salary* | Typical Training Time |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $60,000 | 4-year paid apprenticeship |
| Plumber | $63,000 | 4-year paid apprenticeship |
| HVAC Technician | $55–85,000 | 6–12 mo. certificate + apprenticeship |
| Welder | $50–90,000 | 9-month certificate |
| Diesel Mechanic | $57,000 | 12-month certificate |
| Elevator Installer | $88,000 | 4-year paid apprenticeship |
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Key advantages
- AI-Proof Jobs – Robots can draft emails but can’t reroute a sewer line or repair a diesel engine.
- Earn While You Learn – Most apprenticeships are paid.
- Fast Launch – Certifications in 6–12 months, not six years.
- Debt-Free – Skip the student-loan millstone and start earning at 18–20.
Real-Life Success: Josh & Ava
- Josh (23) tried the “college-then-career” script, racked up debt, and still couldn’t land a meaningful job. One HVAC apprenticeship later, he’s earning $65K with zero loans—and loving the work.
- Ava (19) enrolled in welding classes at her local community college while still homeschooled. Nine months later she’s making $58K and saving to open her own metal-art studio.
How to Fast-Track Your Teen Into a Trade
- Explore Interests Early – Shop class, small-engine repair, maker fairs, YouTube build channels—expose your teen to hands-on work.
- Research Local Programs – Community colleges often offer certificates for $5K or less. Many employers sponsor apprenticeships.
- Leverage Scholarships – Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation and state workforce grants routinely cover trade-school costs.
- Build Academic Foundations Through a Trades Lens – Algebra becomes pipe-fitting math; composition becomes writing safety manuals.
The Trades & Tech Track at True North Academy
Our two-year, Cognia-accredited high-school diploma pathway pairs core academics with practical training in:
- Electrical, welding, HVAC, plumbing, construction
- Digital trades like coding, 3-D printing, tech repair
- Entrepreneurship & small-business management
Graduates walk away ready for paid apprenticeships, industry certifications, or an associate’s degree—without six-figure debt.
👉 Learn more: https://truenorthhomeschool.academy/true-north-trade-tech-diploma/
Is the Trades Path Right for Your Teen?
- Loves taking things apart to see how they work
- Thrives on hands-on projects and real-world problem solving
- Dreads the thought of four more years of textbooks and lectures
- Wants to earn (not borrow) money right out of high school
If you checked even one of those boxes, it’s time to widen your family’s definition of success.
Next Steps
- Download our free checklist: “The Real ROI of College”
- Attend a Virtual Info Session – We’ll map out training timelines, salaries, and scholarship options. Get the on-demand webinar here.
- Start the Conversation – Share this post with your teen and dream together about a future built on skill, purpose, and financial freedom. Apply to the Trade Tech Diploma.
“You’re not a bad parent if your kids don’t go to college. You’re a smart parent for helping them find the right path.” —Lisa Nehring
Bonus Opportunity: Work-From-Home Medical Transcription (sponsor of this podcast)
Need flexible income now? Deborah’s medical-transcription company is hiring homeschool parents and teens. No age limits, choose your own hours, 100 % remote. Get the free webinar link by emailing info@medtranscription.com.
Lisa Nehring and her husband, Dr. David Nehring, a Clinical Psychologist, and Biblical Scholar speak together on a wide variety of topics, including education, classical education, vision, mission, parenting, marriage, and more.
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