Questions for Discussion:
- Should success be defined by a degree or by skills and income potential?
- What impact will AI and automation have on white-collar jobs versus trade careers?
- Is college still worth the cost in today’s economy?
- What are the main advantages of going to college versus learning a trade?
- Can hybrid paths (e.g. business-savvy tradespeople or technical degrees) be the best of both worlds?
- What role do trades play in the current job market shortages?
- How does college contribute to personal growth beyond just career training?
- How does a college degree open doors in fields where a trade certificate wouldn’t?
- Are trades a faster and more cost-effective path to a stable career?
- Are societal attitudes unfairly biased in favor of college over trades?
- How do automation and AI affect the future prospects of both college-educated and trade-skilled workers?
- Can you address the argument that many college graduates end up in debt without guaranteed jobs?
- Should high schools do more to promote trade careers as equal to college paths?
- Could combining trade skills with a college education be the best option?
- How should governments and industries respond to the skilled labor shortage?
- Is society overvaluing college degrees while undervaluing skilled trades?
- Should public policy shift funding from universities to vocational training programs?
- Could expanding dual-education programs (mixing theory and hands-on work) resolve the divide?
- Do you think schools give enough information about trade careers?
- How does the education system influence students’ choices between trades and college?
- Which would you choose: earning money earlier in a trade, or studying longer for a degree?
- Who enters the workforce faster – a tradesperson or a college graduate?
- What happens when there’s a shortage of skilled tradespeople in a community?
- Is stable income more likely with a trade or a college degree?
- Should more young people be encouraged to consider trades as a first option, not a fallback?
- Which careers are more resistant to automation and AI?
- How do trade careers contribute to local economies compared to traditional college-educated jobs?
- What are the long-term career growth opportunities in trades versus college-based professions?
- How can mentorships or apprenticeships improve the perception and success of trade careers?
- Should employers place more value on hands-on experience than formal education when hiring?
Trades / Vocational Education Vocabulary
- Vocational school / trade school
- Apprenticeship
- Hands-on experience
- Skilled labor
- Blue-collar job
- Certification
- Technical training
- On-the-job training
- Workforce readiness
- Job placement
- Entry-level position
- Career path
- Industry-recognized credentials
- Union / non-union work
Examples of Trades:
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Welder
- Mechanic (automotive technician)
- HVAC technician
- Carpenter
- Mason
- Hairdresser / cosmetologist
- Chef / culinary worker
- Construction worker
- CNC machinist
- Truck driver
- Elevator technician
Key Verbs & Phrases:
- Enroll in a program
- Complete an apprenticeship
- Learn a trade
- Get certified
- Master a skill
- Enter the workforce
- Make a living
- Fill a labor gap
- Build something from scratch
- Repair / install / assemble / maintain
Colleges / Universities Vocabulary
- Higher education
- Bachelor’s degree / Master’s / PhD
- Major / minor
- Tuition fees
- Student loans
- Campus
- Lecture / seminar / lab
- Professor / lecturer / advisor
- Dormitory / residence hall
- Academic year / semester / term
- GPA (Grade Point Average)
- Internship
- Study abroad
- Alumni
Types of Colleges:
- Community college
- Liberal arts college
- Ivy League
- Technical college
- Research university
- Online university
- State university / private college
Key Verbs & Phrases:
- Apply for admission
- Take / pass / fail a course
- Drop out
- Graduate from college
- Earn a degree
- Attend lectures
- Write a thesis
- Defend a dissertation
- Live on campus / off campus
- Join a fraternity / club
- Get a scholarship
- Transfer credits
Useful Phrases for Debates and Discussions
- “A college degree isn’t necessary for every career.”
- “Trade schools offer faster entry into the job market.”
- “There is a growing demand for skilled tradespeople.”
- “College graduates often face high student debt.”
- “Vocational education should be more respected.”
- “Not all learning happens in a classroom.”
- “Both paths can lead to a successful and fulfilling career.”