Don't borrow money for school...it can hurt you and those close to you...

[gingerbeefE]

If you live in a state with strong unions, then you might have access to a lot of apprenticeships. If you live in a state with weak unions, like I do, then apprenticeships that don't require prior training in high school (if the high school you attended even offered trade programs), a community college, or a technical college are hard to find.

Sorry, I am not really actively following this board.

I am probably from the same state as you and haven't seen the same issues. Have 3 brothers two of them are doing trades in Texas.

My brother is a welder that attended Missouri Welding institute, was less than 6 months for all his courses/certs not nearly as much as a 4-year college. He works in Kerrville, don't think he has had much issues finding a job ( he worked in San Antonio before Kerrville). Another brother in an election apprentice, works in San Antonio and he did not work to hard to get accepted for the apprenticeship, had no prior experience. There are plenty of options out there. Like someone above said, kids are pressured into thinking it is their only option.