New Library Topic: What About Apprenticeships?

We keep hearing about the importance of higher education. These days preparing for college is one of the prime goals of K-12 schools, and kids are drilled with the notion that college is their best shot at a decent, well-paying job. College is viewed as the great leveler, giving everyone the opportunity to achieve a good standard of living. 

The problem with that view is that not everyone is suited for or even interested in college, and not every job is best prepared for through a college education. Indeed, as the American Enterprise Institute's Charles Murray observes, "competence in any profession is mostly acquired on the job," and employers often value proven skill and experience more than years of learning. 

Our new topic What about Apprenticeships? explores apprenticeship as a viable alternative to the four-year college degree. Apprenticeship is, Andrew Hutson of the Adam Smith Institute points out, "one of the most effective and beneficial approaches to youth employment... . For those who do not wish to enter full-time higher education, it allows a gradual transition period between work and employment, teaching valuable skills and trades as well as life skills such as organisation and time management.”

Our educrats need to stop promoting college as the best option and start acknowledging that there are other ways for our children to create success for themselves in life.

Check out our library for more great topics. Special thanks to our intern Annie Holmquist who created this topic! If you are interested in becoming an intern at IT, contact us here.