Amid ongoing concerns about burgeoning student debt and woke college campuses, Ohio officials are pushing students to consider another course: an apprenticeship.
“One of the ingredients of our economic success, innovation, and growth in Ohio is our range of quality apprenticeship programs,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, said in a statement.
“Apprenticeships provide a clear pathway to a great-paying, lifelong career,” the governor added. “Ohioans who take on an apprenticeship earn money while they learn a new skill, they avoid student loan debt, and – when they complete their programs – they can even receive a nationally recognized credential.”
The push comes as Ohio officials mark the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week. Ohio's good news is that the state ranks third in the nation and first in the Midwest for the number of apprentices. According to state officials, more than 23,000 people are enrolled in an apprenticeship program, and more than 200 occupations in Ohio offer apprenticeships, including advanced manufacturing, construction, computer programming, and energy.
“Apprentices working in skilled trades provide us with places to live and places to work, which is particularly needed right now in Ohio because we are in an economic boom, where more businesses are moving into the state and the demand for residential housing keeps growing and growing,” Ohio Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield said in a release.
Rising college costs have led some to question the value of education, particularly following pro-Palestinian protests that enveloped college campuses nationwide and news that some colleges canceled classes after President Donald Trump’s election to a second term earlier this month.
“Not everyone wants to or can afford to go to college and get a 4-year degree––and you shouldn’t have to in order to live your American Dream,” U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, an Ohio Democrat, said in a Facebook post. “It’s why I co-sponsored the National Apprenticeship Act to expand access to apprenticeships so all Ohioans can get a good-paying job.”
According to LendingTree, as of the second quarter, Americans owe more than $1.7 trillion in federal and private student loan debt. That’s down slightly (0.96%) from a year earlier.
During the 2022-23 academic year, students and parents borrowed roughly $98.2 billion. Nearly half (44%) were federal unsubsidized loans, while 16% were federally subsidized. Personal finance site WalletHub’s recent analysis, “States with the Most and Least Student Debt,” found that Ohio ranked ninth in the country for states with the most student debt.
President Joe Biden has tried multiple times to cancel student debt for millions of Americans. Critics derided the plan as nothing more than a vote-buying scheme.
Republican-led states have fought back, suing the government to block the efforts, and in June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against Biden’s plan to nix up to $20,000 in debt for millions of borrowers.
The setbacks haven’t stopped Biden from continuing to try. Last month, the feds announced a new plan to eliminate debt for roughly 8 million borrowers.
Proponents of apprenticeship programs and trade careers say a non-college course offers hands-on training and competitive salaries without racking up student debt. In Ohio, officials said that after as few as five years as an apprentice, people in a trade can earn more than double the state’s median income.
“Pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs are incredibly valuable because they offer an earn-while-you-learn model that benefits both employers and employees,” Republican Lt. Governor Jon Husted said in a statement.
“Without the high cost of college, participants gain hands-on skills, real-world experience, and a paycheck instead of a tuition bill,” Husted added. “It’s a winning solution that builds a skilled workforce without the burden of debt.”
