Pursuing a college education may not be the best path for everyone, and this sentiment can be difficult to convey to middle-class parents who value a bachelor’s degree as the ultimate gateway to success.

In recent years, the demand for vocational paths that do not necessarily require a college degree has increased among Gen Z students. Parents often warn that without a bachelor’s degree, one might end up with limited job opportunities, possibly maxing out at a supervisor role at fast-food chains.

Cities that heavily rely on tourism, such as Miami, Las Vegas, and New Orleans, are facing the need to diversify their economies beyond low-wage service jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector. To attract skilled talent, these cities must focus on developing a workforce skilled in higher-paying sectors like IT, finance, and healthcare.

One promising solution to bridging the skills gap is through apprenticeships, which provide hands-on training and classroom instruction tailored to an employer’s specific needs. Over the past decade, apprenticeships have seen a revival, with more than 600,000 registered apprenticeships, signaling a shift from traditional college education.

Apprenticeships offer several benefits, including reducing turnover rates, enhancing productivity, fostering loyalty among employees, and ensuring increased earnings. These programs can address the aging workforce and help fill critical skill gaps, particularly in sectors like manufacturing, where hands-on training is essential.

Despite the success of apprenticeships in other countries and the positive impact they have had in the U.S., they still remain largely underutilized. Expanding apprenticeship opportunities can lead to significant wage increases, boost economic growth, and improve industry competitiveness on a national scale.

To address future challenges in the workforce, especially in sectors like manufacturing, investing in apprenticeships is crucial for the sustainable economic growth of the U.S. Adopting and supporting such initiatives can not only provide a promising path for social mobility but also enhance national competitiveness in the long run.