New Generation Embracing Skilled Labor Jobs as Vocational Enrollment Surges among Young Americans

Vocational enrollment is increasing among younger Americans, with a new generation embracing skilled labor positions, as evidenced by one young nurse who chose instead to become an ironworker. Tiffany Younk bucked the popular “go to college” trend and followed in her father’s footsteps after realizing that traditional academic paths weren’t fulfilling for her. Her dad Robert spent around 35 years working as a union ironworker before retiring earlier this year, encouraging young people today who are uncertain about pursuing trade school education programs by saying “it is the only way to go.” In his youth in the sixties and seventies, when financial resources were limited, he recalled that parents advised their children to attend vocational schools. Robert also praised a multimillion-dollar training center funded by his union as an excellent resource for young people looking to learn skills such as welding or crane operation without accumulating huge debts typically associated with traditional four-year degrees which now cost around $96,000 according to Tiffany. As part of their trade work on the renovation project at Michigan Central Station in Detroit – a historic landmark set for reopening this summer – father and daughter worked together as union ironworkers bridging the gap between family life and professional duties. Robert used his background in welding to train Tiffany, who said she had been visiting job sites with her dad since she was three or four years old. The two spent around three years working side by side before retirement forced him into early retirement at 65. “She got good at it and will never have to worry about a job ever again,” Robert proudly declared, adding that Tiffany’s proficiency in welding would ensure she remained an expert for life. Both parents and children alike can find pride and satisfaction from contributing their skills to the construction of significant buildings or structures as part of skilled labor jobs according to Tiffany who described her sense of fulfillment when pointing out projects where she had worked, saying “Nothing I have felt so far that matches this…And it’s just really neat to contribute.”