When Everyone Goes to College, There’s No One Available to Ensure Clean Water

One unintended consequence of emphasizing college degrees over technical certificates may have contributed to a dangerous shortage of skilled tradespeople, such as plumbers. The National Association of Home Builders reported a 55% shortfall in available plumbers. Ironically, the shortage may mean that trade skills will become more profitable than college education.

As the law of supply and demand takes effect, individuals trained in trades can expect to see an increase in job opportunities and higher wages, particularly compared to those with degrees in oversaturated or less profitable markets. Contrasting a recent CNBC article listing worst-paying college majors with a list of highest-paid trade jobs isn't a direct comparison, because the lists don't account for job experience or regional variations, but the exercise indicates that the realignment may be happening already.

The imbalance also may affect broader economic trends.  As one expert noted in the article, “The economic impact of the shortage problem is not just a residential issue. It also impacts the construction of new offices, hospitals, manufacturing plants, grocery stores, sort of all of the things that are part of everyone’s everyday life that you don’t think about.”  In other words, when everyone goes to college, there aren't enough people available to get clean water into our homes or offices.  

College can be a wonderful and rewarding experience, one that I'm glad I had.  But we need to value practical skills just as highly, both for individual students and the (perhaps literal) health of our society.