This month, the National Center for Education Statistics released data noting an increase in Trade/Tech school enrollment. 

Trade schools across the country have seen increases. In the recent report by the NCES, trade schools in Colorado have seen significant increases. The state saw a 104.7% increase in the total number of people enrolled in trade schools from 2019 to 2023, says the report. They also saw a 28.2% increase in overall enrollment in trade schools across the state.

Trade school also offers a cheaper option in the face of growing costs for traditional 4-year programs. In a study from Fidelity, 47% of students said that the cost of college was the “most important” consideration when deciding a school. Trade schools already being more affordable, the Trump Administration was able to also extend the Pell Grant to trade schools. 

President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill passed this year, overhauled some programs and included financial aid reform. Going unnoticed was the extension of the Pell Grant to trade school students looking for financial aid. (RELATED: Sluggish Flood Response from Evers Roils Wisconsin Residents)

The expansion of AI has also increased the need for trade workers. There is an already large 400,000 worker need in the trades this year. However, AI data centers are growing rapidly across the United States, and need a large number of plumbers and electricians. President Trump has laid the groundwork for AI in the U.S. with  an Executive Order back in 2019 for AI development. 

Milwaukee has also seen an increase in skilled trade needs. The Downtown area has created billions of dollars in Manufacturing/Construction recently as projects to modernize the area have increased. (RELATED: FEMA to Conduct Damage Assessment in the Aftermath of Devastating Floods)