Trade Up: Why the Future Belongs to Skilled Workers and How Career Education is Transforming the Workforce

America faces a paradox: graduates can’t find jobs, and employers can’t find workers.In Trade Up, career education leaders Jason Altmire and Riley Burr reveal why the traditional college path is failing—and how a return to skills-based education can empower the rising generation to rebuild the nation’s workforce.“If you believe honest work matters, that skilled trades deserve respect, and that there’s more than one smart path to a good life, this book is worth your time.” –Mike Rowe, CEO, mikeroweWORKS Foundation“This new book, Trade Up, is an important addition to the national conversation on addressing the workforce shortage and equipping people with the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.” –Suzanne P. Clark, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce--For generations, a four-year degree was seen as the clearest path to economic opportunity. Today, that promise is unraveling. Record numbers of college graduates are struggling to find meaningful work—many burdened by student debt—while employers across industries face a critical shortage of skilled talent. From construction and healthcare to manufacturing and technology, the demand for skilled workers is surging. Yet the traditional education pipeline isn’t keeping pace. The result is a widening skills gap that threatens America’s competitiveness and leaves both graduates and employers frustrated and stuck.For a growing number of students, the traditional college pathway has become less a gateway to success than a costly detour away from real labor market needs. It’s no wonder families across the country are asking a once-unthinkable question: Is college still worth it?Drawing on data, workforce trends, and real-world experience, Altmire and Burr make a compelling case that trade schools and career-focused education are essential to closing the skills gap. Hopeful and solutions-driven, Trade Up offers a roadmap for students, parents, educators, and employers ready to rethink how America prepares its workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. Read more