I was just reading through a newsletter from Contracting Business, which seems to indicate a continued trend of increased trade school enrollment.
Although this newsletter is mainly related to the HVACR industry, I have read elsewhere about similar increased enrollment in electrical trade schools as well.
I’m just wondering though... where are all of these recent trade school graduates going to find work in the current economy, given that there are already so many highly qualified trades people out of work?
Won’t this have the effect of driving down wages when and if the construction industry recovers due to an excess labor pool?
An except from the newsletter:
"Today’s economic climate has resulted in a pendulum shift back toward blue-collar type jobs. While being a plumber may still posses a stigma there exists an intrinsic benefit of stable employment without the threat of being outsourced. The installation of a new hot water heater or new kitchen faucet cannot be sent overseas. A plumber must be onsite and in person and it is this reality that has resulted in a new trend in increased trade school enrollment.
HVAC classes at York Technical Institute (YTI) in York, PA filled so quickly that additional classes were added to handle the growing influx of new students. Michael L. Wright, the senior vice president of marketing & admissions at YTI says “The down turned economy has positively impacted enrollment at all five of our campuses. A simple comparison, evaluating enrollment activity reveals an increase approaching fifty percent.
2010 will be the year of more change, but a positive first impression remains the same. It will always be a strategic business tactic. Fasten your seatbelts folks, more changes are coming."
