Trades as College Alternative

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Day, national media coverage is finally catching up to what ABCI has known for years: skilled trades are not just a valid alternative to college, they are a path to immediate opportunity, financial independence, and long-term career growth.

Recent headlines from CNBC and The Wall Street Journal spotlight the growing number of Gen Z students skipping college’s soaring costs and turning to hands-on careers in construction, roofing, plumbing, and electrical work. These young workers are making early career moves that rival their degree-holding peers, some earning $50,000 to $75,000 before the age of 20, without student debt.

This nationwide shift reflects what we see every day at ABCI. Students in our apprenticeship programs are gaining in-demand skills, graduating into high-wage jobs, and building both stable and fulfilling futures. Employers are no longer waiting for college grads; they’re recruiting high school juniors.

As Florida’s largest apprenticeship college, ABCI is proud to be on the frontlines of this transformation. Our mission is more relevant than ever, and our impact is only growing.

Click here for the CBNB Story.

Click here for the Wall Stret Journal Story