This is a move further away from a broad non-vocational education.
Students/families must be under severe stress to turn their back on what was considered a good educational framework. Unless traditional colleges control costs and address outcomes we may see more of this.
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I think that these programs are great alternatives, especially for smart young people who don’t do well in traditional schooling or for students who don’t have reasonably priced higher education options. Alternative pathways for work experience are good to have.
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I realize this article covers white color apprenticeships, but I cannot help but think of my school district’s vocational program. We have a vocational campus that serves the school districts in our county that is funded like other schools with property taxes. Students split their time between their high school and the vocational campus, and they graduate in five years with their high school diploma and a two year certificate in their chosen field. Rather than teach the building trades, the vocational school focuses on skills needed for manufacturing like mechtronics, programming, CNC machine operation and machine operation.
During an information session, the head of the program provided case studies of student outcomes and described a 21 year old alumna who was earning over $100,000/yr as a machinist with no debt. From a purely financial standpoint, this is a great option where a 20 something can invest a large amount very early in his/her career and still have a good standard of living.
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Re-inventing the American dream !
The American Dream, in many ways, is very much separate, and in some ways almost opposite, from the credentialized creep and financially-oppressive systems in place for young people of today.
But yes to your general statement!