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The Value Of A Technical Education In 2024 : 1A As the price of four-year colleges balloon and the job market becomes increasingly unstable, a new batch of workers are going another route: technical school.

Students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges increased 16 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

A technical college in Florida says almost all their programs are close to capacity. And in Maine, enrollment in career and technical schools passed 10,000 students statewide for the first time.

We discuss what a technical education looks like today and how beneficial the path can be for students.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

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The Value Of A Technical Education In 2024

The Value Of A Technical Education In 2024

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Plumber Randy Calazans with One Call Plumbing repairs a burst pipe in a home in Houston, Texas. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Plumber Randy Calazans with One Call Plumbing repairs a burst pipe in a home in Houston, Texas.

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As the price of four-year colleges balloon and the job market becomes increasingly unstable, a new batch of workers are going another route: technical school.

Students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges increased 16 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

A technical college in Florida says almost all their programs are close to capacity. And in Maine, enrollment in career and technical schools passed 10,000 students statewide for the first time.

So, what does a technical education look like today? And how beneficial is this path for students?

Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.