There’s been a lot of ink and airtime these days debating the benefits of a college education versus the hands-on training of a trade school.

It used to be a no-brainer. A four-year-college degree was the way to go. After all, everybody’s mom wanted a doctor or a lawyer or other potentially high-income, high-prestige job for their children back then.

But lately, trade and technical schools are getting noticed by learners at all levels. Members of Generation Alpha - those students born after 2010 - are realizing they can find fulfilling careers without accumulating massive debt like some of their college counterparts.

The appreciation of working with one’s hands starts early, and earlier this month representatives of the Carbon Career & Technical Institute told the facility’s joint operating committee they were encouraged by the number of local high school freshmen who toured the school.

In all, over a two-week period, 155 students from Jim Thorpe, 128 from Lehighton, 40 from Palmerton, 150 from Panther Valley and 34 from Weatherly got to see exactly what the school has to offer. School officials will begin taking applications soon as the young students hope to chart their future.

And for the trades, the future is bright. Trade schools are gaining more favor for many reasons.

First, they’re more affordable. An entire year of trade school study costs about the same as one year of college.

Then, trade students can get going faster than their academic friends. Typically, trade schools have two or three year programs, while many college courses of study are four or more.

Also, trade schools have smaller classes and more hands-on learning. Their education is practical and specific. Academic classes are broader, sometimes bigger and offer lessons in a more theoretical manner.

Naysayers claim trade schools might limit someone’s career options. They don’t offer the same prestige or networking options and could stunt personal growth.

Some employers might like college grads over trade school students for managerial or professional positions, they say.

Those arguments may have some merit, but aren’t necessarily solid.

For years now, the same shortages that plague fields dominated by college grads can be found in the trades.

The average age of a plumber, for example is around 60. Those kinds of numbers indicate that in the not too distant future, a dearth of those skilled in working with our water, sewer and heating systems will take over.

At that age, too, there’ll be fewer individuals available to train younger folks interested in the job.

So it is with electricians. With the greening of America, workers skilled in the various aspects of generating and supplying electricity will be at a premium in years to come.

That’s especially true locally, where solar power sources are popping up all over the place. Take a look around at the panels on homes or businesses in your neighborhood. Electricians played a major part in getting them there.

Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about locating solar power panels on what once was local farmland and brownfields left where anthracite was once king.

Government mandates to reduce our carbon footprint are already manifesting as we see electric powered vehicles gaining popularity. Charging stations will become more common, and someone will have to install them. So it goes for workers with the training to diagnose and repair those vehicles.

A recent trend toward more warehousing and manufacturing in the area has created a new demand for workers to move that trend forward.

As generations like mine age, we’re certainly going to need assistance. The bubble created by the sheer numbers of Baby Boomers is well into retirement and we’ll be looking for help at several levels.

Of course, we’ll need the doctors, dentists and nurses that colleges produce. We’ll need attorneys to help with legal issues. We’ll need writers, painters and others schooled in the liberal arts.

But the trades are just as important. All those college grads still need electricians, plumbers, carpenters and related personnel who’ll build and maintain the buildings and homes we all require.

Given the skills via the cooperation of area schools and apprentice programs students can build a career, see their success and the legacy it leaves behind.

From a practical standpoint, students with skills are more employable locally. Regional schools like CCTI, Lincoln Technical, Lehigh-Carbon, and Johnson College can join apprenticeships offered by local unions to produce quality graduates ready to step into the local job market.

That’s not to say that study in medicine, science and liberal arts isn’t important.

But the career trade off that trade schools offer for a lot less money is definitely worth it.

ED SOCHA/TNEDITOR@TNONLINE.COM

Ed Socha is a retired newspaper editor with more than 40 years experience in community journalism. Reach him at tneditor@tnonline.com.

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.