These factory workers get paid to go to school

Can we make apprenticeships great again?

In many cases, automation is changing the workforce faster than we can keep up. Manufacturers say they expect to have millions of unfilled positions. Adapting apprenticeship programs could help close the expanding wage and skills gaps by giving people another option for job training.

If you're interested in reading more about the pros and cons to apprenticeships here are some helpful links that I used for my research:

Cost analysis study from Case Western Reserve University:

Deloitte:

Brookings Institute:

And here's an interesting chart about STEM majors:

[KhanStopMe]

There needs to be a massive campaign in order to destigmatise apprenticeships. We have a similar problem here in the UK.

[iAmTheSquidThing]

Apparently Germans also consider a trade qualification to be just as prestigious as a university degree. And will display the certificates with pride in the same way.

In English-speaking countries there's currently a great deal of snobbery surrounding academia, which we probably need to get over.

[uss_]

Reason why domestic manufacturing is falling behind is because employers in the last 20 years is because
1: Expensive 4 year degrees are seen as a bare minimum for any job, offloading the education cost to students who cant always afford it.
2. Employers don’t want to pay for those degrees, and cant always offset the cost of it.
3. They want to treat them as subcontractors, leading to this gig economy and no security.
Not to mention theres a bias against younger people entering this workforce, they’re seen as lazy because they’re expected to have a job straight out of high school, and be financially stable by their late 20s.

I strongly support the apprenticeship programs, it fills the skill gap, and give at risk youth an alternate path to gainful employment for those who can’t always qualify for a 4 year education program straight out of high school.

Plus I want more US employment.I’m tired of bargain basement products made overseas with a junk 90 day warranty.
Made in USA products typically signify ‘above average’ quality, in comparison to the imported goods being dumped on the market, and all of us have purchased items that turned to junk over time. Its been a race to the top and the bottom, and those of us stuck in the middle are left out. We as consumers want nice things that lasts longer, and I expect that consumers will be willing to pay items made in America with a slight premium if they get a decent warranty out of it. Manufacturers will then realize that filling warranties and providing support is cheaper if the facilities are on the same continent, IMHO.

[firstname]

I work in manufacturing.
At 26 I started out at $32 an hour with nothing more then a high school diploma. 2 years later I make $35.65 an hour with overtime I've made $117, 000 this year with full benefits for my family over 35k in my 401k and a strong union. All that without a single penny in student loans. I absolutely love getting into manufacturing. Best thing I've ever done.

[salokin]

I love this retraining and apprenticeship stuff, pretty good way to teach skills and lower unemployment

[flownaer]

The US is finally starting to look abroad to other models of running manufacturing and society in general. Good! It's not a perfect model but countries like Germany seem to be balancing it pretty well. Germany is one of the largest exporters in the world despite having 1/4 of the US population and 1/15 of the Chinese population.

It's no surprise that German companies like BMW have been eager to do that in the Carolinas.

[johnbouttell]

In Germany, many people become an apprentice after leaving school. For jobs in technology, health and education, there are colleges that offer courses.

[EmperorOfCookies]

i'm german and when i grew up i thought an apprenticeship system was a valid option everywhere in the world lol it definitely is an amazing alternative to college degrees and to build a long-lasting highly qualified workforce

[Soraviel]

The should be apprenticeships for every single industry sector no matter what

[antrazitaj]

Being german it's odd to see something so normal for me seen like that. We have done this for centuries

[farley.gwazda]

One positive effect that wasn't noted is the effect on the workers who teach the apprentices. Anyone who has taught will acknowledge that nothing forces you to learn a subject inside and out like teaching it.

[rustedtooth]

Weird, im literally ditching college next semester and joining an apprenticeship before this video was upload. You guys are adding fuel to the fire thanks.

[Trump_Train]

Just got off a 12 hour shift at the steel mill and it's a good living for the most part. I'm a multi-craft maintenance tech that went through a 4 year technical apprenticeship at Mercedes Benz and it is a lot of work but will pay off.

[chansherly]

everybody please thumb down comments by the channel VOX OFFICIAL who are replying to a lot of the top comments here, with links to some supposed free gift vouchers . They are NOT the same as VOX and are trying to infect your computers

[YassoKuhl]

Being from Germany, I can confidently say, that we have the exact same problem concerning non-university level education. Less and less people want to do it. Maybe it's better than in the US, but still, it a real issue!

[jetepoop]

Apprenticeship is rising in France again too ! I'm an apprentice myself and that's the best thing that happend to me professionaly/educationnaly wise :D

[tristanmoller]

Yes, automation demands quality vocational training and a workforce that has undergone that. A very hard sell to many of our fellow Americans but I am currently also growing up in Germany and it’s seen as one of the reasons for the strong, continuously large industrial economy in Germany.

Was a great video with good explanations but I can see how it’s a hard sell to many Americans, especially parents.
Greetings!
P.S.: Shift Change is so competitive to Borders, like it’s with it at the top of your best series list. Really enjoy it!

[mitchaid]

This is fantastic and about time. We have the same approach in Switzerland as in Germany and although I never did an apprenticeship myself (degrees in BA & Accounting) I think their great. I have apprentices in my accounting dept. on a 3 - 6 month rotation, and it is great to see them develop. If you do this all over the US, in the next decade, you will see the advantages in productivity, wage growth, less unnecessary student dept, etc. etc.

[andrewkilby]

The graph at 2:18 is misleading. It does not take into affect inflation. For example if we take the cost 2500 $ in 1981 and compare this to the average price of 5000 in 2001 the cost has decreased by about 100$.

[Johnchi]

I remember when I was with AmerCore and I placed in a High School, and my job was to help students get ready for college. So what I did is get to know students I was working with first and then I would find out what was best for them. And I remember they were a few who wasn't the best in school but they weren't dumb they were just bored. So I use to tell them about these apprenticeships programs in area and they really enjoyed it. Thank Vox for spending the word.