Is Higher Ed Support enough for Skilled Trades Education?

Higher education enrollment numbers dipped in the spring semester of 2021, particularly at public, two-year institutions, which saw enrollment drop by 9.5%.

That could be concerning for the skilled trades industry, which needs both labor and support for that labor. Innovation might be necessary to help skilled trade education keep pace with the needs of industries like HVAC, plumbing, electrical and more.

To dig deeper into this topic, Voice of B2B Daniel Litwin sat down with Doug Donovan, the Founder and CEO of Interplay Learning, and Austin, Texas-based provider of online and virtual reality training for careers across those industries.

There are many factors at play, from the cost and accessibility of higher education, a significant portion of non-degree workers left without jobs in the wake of COVID-19, a trend toward unionization in many industries, and more, and the duo broke it all down on this episode of MarketScale TV.

“There are plenty of two-year institutions, particularly, that are geographically well-positioned [and] have great employer relationships and great industry relationships,” Donovan said. “That being said, I think the bigger opportunity for the industry is doing more ‘build-your-own workforce.’”

Sophisticated, internal training programs, even as higher education institutions try to cut program times and teach uber-relevant skills, could be a better option for many organizations looking to close the skilled labor gap more quickly.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

College admissions
Getting Elite Level Support for College Admissions with ESAI Founder Julia Dixon
May 12, 2025

College admissions have long favored those with access—whether that’s legacy ties, zip code advantages, or the ability to afford pricey private consultants. But now, the game is changing. Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a powerful equalizer in education, and one startup is turning that promise into reality. Just days ago, Shark Tank investor Mark…

Read More
AI
Classroom AI: Who Should It Serve First—Teachers or Students?
May 12, 2025

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming nearly every sector, and education is no exception. As AI capabilities evolve, tech giants like OpenAI, Google, and Meta have increasingly showcased education as a core use case in product rollouts. But the tools being created often split along a critical divide: are they meant for teachers, or for…

Read More
Human Intelligence
JUST THINKING… About Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence with Dr. Michael Harvey
May 12, 2025

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at lightning speed, the conversation is shifting from what AI can do to what it should do—and how it compares with, or complements, the uniquely human traits we bring to learning, work, and society. While schools grapple with AI’s integration into classrooms, some educators are asking a deeper question:…

Read More
future of remote work
Productivity, Happiness and the Future of Remote Work with Steven Puri
May 12, 2025

Remote work is no longer an experiment, it is a daily reality for millions. Yet, as teams seek focus and fulfillment outside the traditional office, the challenges of productivity and isolation have intensified. Studies show that nearly 70 percent of remote workers struggle with burnout and distractions. Amid this tension, platforms that blend emotional well-being…

Read More