HIRE EDUCATION vs. HIGHER EDUCATION
For decades, the American Dream followed a familiar script: go to college, get a good job, buy a home, start a family. But for many members of Gen Z, that dream is slipping away, buried under the weight of student loan debt and an increasingly uncertain job market.
The rising cost of four-year college degrees has made higher education inaccessible or financially crippling for many. With the emergence of AI and automation, even college graduates are left questioning the value of their degrees. Entry-level jobs in IT and business are becoming scarcer, while anxiety about job security grows.
Meanwhile, Skilled Trades Are in Crisis
Currently, there are millions of open jobs in theUnited States. Many of these positions are inthe skilled trades!
In contrast, the demand for skilled labor has never been higher. Jobs like electricians, plumbers, welders, HVAC technicians, carpenters, machinists, and diesel techs offer solid pay, job security, and practical, hands-on work. In many cases, layoffs are nearly nonexistent—even during economic downturns.
Still, these careers are often overlooked by Gen Z, partly due to social stigma around manual labor. But the truth is, many of these jobs pay better than what new college grads can expect, and without the mountain of debt.
Is There a Middle Ground?
The career path for some skilled trades,such as plumbers and electricians, followsthat of apprentice, journeyman, andmaster, which can be traced back to themedieval guild system!
We believe the answer lies in what we call “Hire Education”, a practical approach to post-secondary education that focuses on in-demand careers requiring 18 to 24 months of training rather than four-year degrees. These include high-growth fields like:
• Mechatronics
• PLC Programming
• Industrial Automation & Control Systems
These roles combine mechanical and electronic skills with modern technology, offering strong salaries and room for career advancement — all without a four-year degree.
How PRESSON Circuit Modules Helps
At PRESSON, we’re on a mission to empower students with hands-on, high-impact STEM and CTE training. Our eLearning courseware and custom circuit modules are designed to teach the practical skills needed for real-world industrial careers. From signal processing to motion sensing and control systems, our curriculum helps bridge the gap between theory and hands-on application.
Whether it’s middle schools, high schools, or technical colleges, we’re helping educators prepare the next generation of skilled workers, without the burden of massive debt.
Because sometimes, the best path forward isn’t higher education, it’s hire education.
