With building trades in demand, Wake Tech apprenticeships put students on road to job security
More students now choose to bypass a traditional four-year college degree. They've discovered a growing demand for skilled-trades workers, which can mean a good-paying job in less time.
Posted — Updated21-year-old Jacob Green's first semester of traditional college classes forced him to rethink his future.
"I like hands-on work. I don't like sitting behind a desk and listening to the teacher all day," he said.
"You can have a job in the field after the first semester," Green said.
Plumbing instructor Hamid King says these skills spell job security.
"You learn a trade, you can eat forever," he said.
"I had one employer come and (offer) $20 an hour for a student once they come out of the program," King said.
"They are skilled problemsolvers that we badly need and are now being paid a premium because of their skills and the shortages that exist," said Dr. Scott Ralls, president of Wake Tech.
After just two semesters along with on-the-job training, Jonathan Freeman, 23, says the sky is the limit.
"It's one of the easiest fields to really start your own business with," he said.
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