Very interesting topic and great to see the statistics laid out! As much as I want to see my alma mater UMaine succeed with enrollment, as it relates to real estate and inflation, the higher percentage of and higher enrollment numbers of students in trade schools is a welcome sign. In my experience, there is a labor shortage in the trades, especially here in Maine. As a result, housing costs are higher either because tradespeople can demand higher rates or projects drag out and holding costs accumulate due to labor demand exceeding labor supply. It is be a great time to be a young or otherwise entrepreneurial tradesperson! Starting in high school, and beginning immediately after, someone could achieve upper level trades licenses by age 22-24 and open their own trades business or solo effort. Their yearly income would rival some of the best paying jobs for entry level college grads, all without the cost of college and lost income for 4+ years while in college. Even if the college grad job does pay better, it would take quite a few years to catch up to the 4 extra years of income. The quality of life, impact on physical health, etc. between post college employment and the trades is a more complex topic, but strictly financially it is not surprising why more young people are not seeing the value proposition they once did with college degrees.
The advent of single purpose zoning to create the dormitory suburb went along with the institutionalization of learning. Gone was the master-apprentice relationship with the advantage of a low student number to teacher ratio and the motivation to solve meaningful problems as part of the act of creation on a daily basis.
Along with institutionalized of learning we got tokenized 'work experience' for a couple of weeks a year if one was lucky.
It's desirable to end the dysfunctionality of single purpose zoning so that we can marry work with the home again, reduce our reliance on cars and let kids find mentors that they are keen to work with for next to nothing because of their enthusiasm to learn and to create.
The decay of institutionalized learning will be ongoing because the evils attached to single purpose zoning are becoming apparent. The long commute to work, the supermarket, the hospital, the beach, to sport, to school, the child care centre, to meet the family and a myriad of other reasons to get behind the steering wheel is turning into a disaster. We need to plan a city where all the things we need are within walking distance and as many as possible can work from home.
Very interesting topic and great to see the statistics laid out! As much as I want to see my alma mater UMaine succeed with enrollment, as it relates to real estate and inflation, the higher percentage of and higher enrollment numbers of students in trade schools is a welcome sign. In my experience, there is a labor shortage in the trades, especially here in Maine. As a result, housing costs are higher either because tradespeople can demand higher rates or projects drag out and holding costs accumulate due to labor demand exceeding labor supply. It is be a great time to be a young or otherwise entrepreneurial tradesperson! Starting in high school, and beginning immediately after, someone could achieve upper level trades licenses by age 22-24 and open their own trades business or solo effort. Their yearly income would rival some of the best paying jobs for entry level college grads, all without the cost of college and lost income for 4+ years while in college. Even if the college grad job does pay better, it would take quite a few years to catch up to the 4 extra years of income. The quality of life, impact on physical health, etc. between post college employment and the trades is a more complex topic, but strictly financially it is not surprising why more young people are not seeing the value proposition they once did with college degrees.
Here is a note for the town planning profession.
The advent of single purpose zoning to create the dormitory suburb went along with the institutionalization of learning. Gone was the master-apprentice relationship with the advantage of a low student number to teacher ratio and the motivation to solve meaningful problems as part of the act of creation on a daily basis.
Along with institutionalized of learning we got tokenized 'work experience' for a couple of weeks a year if one was lucky.
It's desirable to end the dysfunctionality of single purpose zoning so that we can marry work with the home again, reduce our reliance on cars and let kids find mentors that they are keen to work with for next to nothing because of their enthusiasm to learn and to create.
The decay of institutionalized learning will be ongoing because the evils attached to single purpose zoning are becoming apparent. The long commute to work, the supermarket, the hospital, the beach, to sport, to school, the child care centre, to meet the family and a myriad of other reasons to get behind the steering wheel is turning into a disaster. We need to plan a city where all the things we need are within walking distance and as many as possible can work from home.