College graduates who invest in technical certifications will have a huge leg up in today’s job market.
The fact is, degrees aren’t enough anymore. As a result of major shifts in the economy, today’s college grads are fighting over fewer and fewer entry-level jobs while employers are raising the bar on qualifications.
The issue?
University grads lack specific technical skills employers want. So they end up taking low paying jobs that don’t require a degree, aren’t able to find work at all, or feel stuck doing work that has nothing to do with their field of study.
Fortunately, trade school courses and technical certifications offer a quick way to stand out from the crowd. Trade schools provide an affordable pathway to high paying, in-demand careers.
This article covers:
- Why College Graduates Are Suddenly Struggling
- The Skilled Trades Shortage You’ve Never Heard Of
- How Trade Certifications Stack Up For College Grads
- Best Technical Certifications for College Graduates
Why College Graduates Are Suddenly Struggling
Let’s look at the facts.
A recent study by the Cengage Group 2025 report revealed that nearly half of college graduates felt unprepared to apply for an entry-level job in their field. When you spend years (and go into debt) earning a degree, you’d think graduates would feel ready to jump into the workforce.
But that’s not what’s happening.
40% also reported being either unemployed or working in a job that doesn’t require a degree.
What’s going on?
Companies want job-specific skills. Unfortunately, colleges focus on general skills like critical thinking, analytical skills, etc.
By learning hands-on trade skills and earning a certification, graduates can feel confident they have what employers are looking for. Trade certifications like HVAC training are created by companies to address these specific needs.
Students who earn certifications alongside their degree have the benefit of both hands-on skills as well as theoretical education. It’s a match made in heaven.
The Skilled Trades Shortage You’ve Never Heard Of
While recent college graduates are fighting over fewer entry-level jobs each year, there’s an entire industry that’s begging for qualified workers.
According to the Associated Builders and Contractors, the construction industry is expected to require an additional 349,000 workers by 2026.
And that’s just one industry.
Across all skilled trades, there is a growing shortage of qualified workers.
Each year, retired workers are far outpacing new talent entering the trades. As older generations of workers retire, they’re not being replaced at the rate needed to maintain current workforce levels.
Because trades jobs require physical labour that can’t be outsourced overseas or done by automation, workers who learn these skills enjoy a level of job security that is increasingly rare.
Best of all? Skilled trade workers earn competitive salaries. Electricians make median salaries of $64K, plumbers make $73k. HVAC techs earn upwards of $55K per year.
Gas pipefitters? Six-figure salaries.
These careers pay well and don’t require a four-year degree.
How Trade Certifications Stack Up For College Grads
Recent college graduates might be wondering why they should even consider a trade certification.
Don’t degrees and trade certificates serve the same purpose? No.
Degrees are theory. Certifications prove you can do the job.
Think about it…
Yes, university students learn about how to do certain tasks. But there’s a difference between reading about how to wire a house and actually wiring a house.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of trade certifications for college grads:
- Get working sooner. Trade certifications can be obtained in a matter of months, not years. Two-year colleges also allow students to start earning money much quicker.
- Increase your earning potential. College grads that “double-down” on education by pairing a degree with trade skills open themselves up to even higher salaries.
- Job security. As mentioned above, there are more openings than qualified workers to fill them in the skilled trades. If you have the skills, you’ll always have job options.
- Explore new career paths. Just because you got a college degree, doesn’t mean you’re locked into a certain career forever. Trade certifications allow grads to explore new opportunities they may not have considered before.
Pairing a college education with trade skills gives the best of both worlds.
Best Technical Certifications for College Graduates
Some trade careers are better suited for college grads than others.
These are the best ones:
Electrician
Demand for electricians is through the roof. The electrician workforce is getting older, which means tons of room for new workers to step in.
Plumbing & Pipefitting
Someone has to do it. And since every new building needs plumbing, there will always be a demand for new plumbers.
Welding
Think about all the metal things you use every day. Chances are those items had to be welded together. From construction to manufacturing, welding is key.
HVAC
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are required in almost every building. These systems need installing and maintaining on a regular basis.
Wrapping Things Up
Here’s the deal with trade certifications for college graduates: they fill the education gap.
Graduates quickly learn that their degree alone isn’t enough to get them noticed. Employers want to see applicants with practical skills. Skills that can only be learned on the job or through trade schools.
But guess what? There are thousands (if not millions) of open trade positions in America right now. Positions that pay as much as, if not more than, white-collar jobs.
By combining a degree with a trade certification, graduates position themselves as prime candidates for jobs that most don’t even know exist.
One more time
- College graduates are taking low-paying jobs that don’t require degrees.
- Universities aren’t providing students with the technical skills that employers want.
- Trade certifications allow grads to finally fill that skills gap.
- Many trade careers offer higher salaries than traditional college graduate jobs.
- Careers like electrician, plumbing, and HVAC technician don’t require a four-year degree.
College graduates who don’t have a plan after finishing school are making a huge mistake.
There are dozens of trade careers with high-paying careers that take less than two years to complete.
Don’t become a statistic. Trade schools offer graduates a real path to success.