By Steve Metzman, Founder and CEO of iBusiness Technologies
Programs in skilled trades take two or more years on average and lead students to lucrative-paying jobs, job security, great benefits, and the opportunity to eventually become their own boss. These perks, coupled with new cutting-edge technology, have driven a new wave of individuals into the field.
Enrollment in trade schools has increased 16% in the last year and continues to rise as people look for careers that offer job stability and don’t require student loans. Most centers offer certifications at a fraction of traditional four-year college tuition costs.
What’s exciting is that training centers are now bursting with innovation and energy, free of outdated assumptions as a ‘lesser’ career path. In addition, they remain the safer option with the recent growth of artificial intelligence (AI).
AI is expected to eventually displace a significant number of workers in white collar fields while skilled trades occupations remain a very hands-on career. No AI program can weld a pipeline in the snow, frame a house, or hang HVAC ductwork in tomorrow’s stadiums.
USA Facts reports that 34.7 million people currently work in the trades, which is over 20% of the total working population. This number continues to rise with the everchanging infrastructure and population growth within the country.
The rapid expansion of metropolitan cities is increasing the demand for commercial construction projects. The government spends hundreds of millions each year on these bids and each project requires a variety of tradespeople to complete. While these demands grow so too does the need to upgrade the antiquated industry with new technology.
Tradespeople now learn using state of the art equipment and computer-based design, construction, and project management on a host of industry-specific software packages such as Connected Apprentice.
Connected Apprentice was designed to help modernize trade schools and prepare students for success in today’s digital workplace. It’s an iPad-based system that easily brings any trade school in to the 21st century. The software cuts down on textbooks and three-ring binders by delivering everything on an iPad and also offers expanded remote learning opportunities for students.
Numerous trades are exclusively adopting the Connected Apprentice for technology standardization in their instructional programs. Trades such as plumbing, pipefitting, sprinkler fitting, sheet metal, and carpentry collectively operate hundreds of training centers across the country, so standardization is essential.
Training center leaders embrace this technology because their incoming students are digital natives and will likely use the same software programs upon graduation.
It no longer makes sense to teach construction design and methods from books when the industry’s new hires are handed devices on their first day.
“Connected Apprentice has been a lifesaver,” said Mykal Jorgenson whose Billings, Montana training center serves students living as far as eight hours away. Jorgenson’s apprentices now use iPads to learn industry software from anywhere and often after their other day jobs.
Device-based training in a hands-on industry has proved beneficial for the new wave of students flocking to the construction industry. It equips future tradespeople with digital and physical toolsets to be successful in the critical labor force essential for making this country stronger.
Trade schools will continue upgrading their programs to satisfy the construction industry’s need for proficient and technologically skilled workers. As industry practices, regulations, and available resources change rapidly, iPad-based training ensures that instructional programs can update over-the-air instantly rather than printing new textbooks.
This change is one of the many transforming the trades industry and making it a better place for everyone.
Steve Metzman is Founder and CEO of iBusiness Technologies, a mobile technology integrator partnered nationally with Apple. Among iBusiness Technologies’ products is the Connected Apprentice, which has become the standard for modernizing trade training centers. Visit www.connectedapprentice.com.