The trades are still often seen as a ‘dead-end’ career route for low-performing students.
JFF’s recent report Breaking Ground: A First Look at American High School Skilled Trades Education, which was based on JFF research commissioned by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, was highlighted in a May 27 New America blog post titled “New Reports Investigate the State of High School Skilled Trades Education.”
The post notes that, despite evidence of positive public opinion of skilled trades education, JFF found that the trades are still often seen as a “dead-end” career route for low-performing students, and that negative perceptions of the trades continue to be a major barrier to participation by students.
Moreover, JFF’s research also highlights opportunities for improvement in the way educational systems prepare students for the workforce and meet labor market needs.
