1,421%. That’s the increase in Gen Z enrollments in trade school programs over the past eight years. If you operate a trade school (or career-based college), these numbers, while indeed staggering, may come as no surprise…
Gen Z is the toolbelt generation, after all, and has been enrolling in trade programs at historic levels.
However, the good news for the trade school industry doesn’t end with the phenomenal growth experienced over the past few years. No. Not by a longshot…
See, new research shows trade school enrollments are expected to continue to grow, 6.6% per year, through at least 2030.[1]
Meaning not only is Gen Z fully vested in the trades, but the next generation, Generation Alpha, (born beginning, roughly, 2010-2013) will be included in this growth too, as the first wave of Gen Alpha turns 18 years old within the research window.
But it’s not only trade school enrollments, according to the report, that are expected to grow. The good news seems to be spreading throughout all of higher ed.
Overall higher education enrollments, including trade school enrollments, are expected to see 10.3% year over year growth through the same forecast period.
Now, in Mid-September we, Conversion Media Group, noted how there is, and has been, a worker shortage in the skilled trades.
Because of this, more of the younger generation has moved into the trades to take advantage of rising salaries and perceived job security. The growth in trade school enrollments is clear proof of our thesis.
But… we also noted how there is an upcoming shortage of the college educated, showing, “a study by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce says that by 2032, the US economy will be facing a shortfall of college educated workers of… 5.3 million!
“Of that 5.3 million, 4.5 million of the shortage will come from the lack of bachelor’s degree holders. Especially in nursing, engineering and teaching.”
Now, perhaps not so coincidentally, four-year college enrollments have been on somewhat of a rebound, at least compared to 2024. And the high school class of ’25 completed 17.5% more FAFSA applications than the class of ’24.
Yes, we have a thesis on four-year college too, and it’s this:
With proper marketing, four-year college programs, whether in-person or online, should also see enrollment growth.
But the key to enrollment growth in “traditional’ higher education, because of demographic shifts, is different than that for trade school.
Again, it comes down to marketing. In previous articles, we’ve mentioned how you should be “educating” your prospective students on the upcoming shortage of college educated workers…
Because we believe, as highlighted in the Georgetown report, the supply/demand equation will begin to shift towards those with a four-year degree. As a result, salaries for the degreed are likely to rise.
Your prospects should be aware of this.
But you need to physically speak of the trend with them, not simply mention it in your advertisements or blog posts. And you need to speak with as many potential students as possible.
How?
Partner with Conversion Media Group. We can transfer live telephone calls, with real, high intent prospects, directly to your enrollment department.
It’s our expertise.
Wondering how we do it?
Give us a call at 1-800-419-3201 and we’ll explain the entire process, including how many potential new student leads (live transfers or otherwise) we can direct into your enrollment department.
[1] Validated Insights Issues Report Update: Trade School Enrollments to Continue Strong Growth, Driven by Gen Z