For several decades, Americans mostly bought into the notion that getting a four-year college degree was the path to success. Less than that was almost shameful, an admission of failure.

Things are different today, as the poor results of the “college for everyone” mentality have become apparent. Lots of young people are looking for other educational and training opportunities.

How about apprenticeships? In today’s Martin Center article, Sherman Criner looks at ways community colleges can do more to promote them.

He writes:

A recent study by the advocacy organization Apprenticeships for America reveals the growing potential of community-college apprenticeship programs. Since 2016, the number of community colleges with active apprentices in hosted programs has increased from just 30 to more than 200. Yet, despite this fivefold expansion, fewer than half of the 541 community colleges that sponsor such programs currently have active apprentices enrolled. Furthermore, the approximately 15,500 apprentices in community-college-based programs represent only three percent of the nation’s total number of civilian apprentices, a figure that highlights the untapped potential of these initiatives.

Criner suggests that community colleges could improve their outreach efforts, doing more to attract high school student: “Drawing on models used by military recruiters, targeted efforts such as career fairs, information sessions, and partnerships with guidance counselors could introduce students to apprenticeships as viable, lucrative alternatives to four-year college degrees.”

The college bubble is deflating, and as more young people realize that apprenticeships are a valuable option, it will deflate even faster.