The crisp autumn air signals more than just the changing seasons in Canada—it marks the time when thousands of young people and their families make decisions that will shape their futures. As university application deadlines approach, a quiet revolution is taking place in how we view post-secondary education paths. The traditional narrative that university degrees are the only ticket to success is being challenged by compelling evidence suggesting skilled trades deserve equal consideration in our career planning conversations.
The numbers tell a striking story. According to recent labor market data, skilled tradespeople in Canada can earn starting salaries comparable to many university graduates—often without the burden of substantial student debt. A licensed electrician or plumber can command $70,000 to $100,000 annually after certification, while many university graduates face starting salaries between $40,000 and $60,000, accompanied by an average student debt of $28,000.
“We’re experiencing a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople across the country,” notes Jean Leblanc, director at the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. “While we push 70% of our young people toward university, we’re simultaneously facing a deficit of over 100,000 skilled workers in construction, manufacturing, and maintenance sectors.”
This reality reflects a persistent misconception in our cultural attitudes. Many parents still view the trades as a “backup option” rather than a first-choice career path. Yet the evidence suggests otherwise. The automation wave threatening many white-collar jobs has largely spared skilled trades that require physical presence, spatial reasoning, and adaptive problem-solving—qualities robots struggle to replicate.
What’s particularly interesting about this educational crossroads is how it intersects with broader questions about our definition of success. The university path, with its emphasis on theoretical knowledge and credentials, aligns with one vision of achievement. The trades path, centered on tangible skills and immediate application, represents another. Neither is inherently superior, but our societal messaging has long favored the former.
Consider the financial mathematics. A four-year university degree typically costs between $30,000 and $60,000 in tuition alone. During this period, students generally aren’t earning substantial income. Conversely, apprentices in the skilled trades earn while they learn, gradually increasing their income as they progress through certification. By the time their university counterparts are graduating, many tradespeople have already established careers and begun building equity in homes or businesses.
The perception gap extends beyond economics. University education is often celebrated for developing critical thinking, while trades training is mischaracterized as merely technical. This overlooks the sophisticated problem-solving and adaptability required in modern trades. A contemporary electrician must understand complex systems, navigate evolving building codes, and often manage small business operations—exercises in critical thinking by any reasonable definition.
“What we’re seeing is a generational shift in how we value different forms of knowledge,” explains Dr. Camille Torres, education sociologist at the University of British Columbia. “The distinction isn’t between thinking and doing—it’s between different ways of thinking and doing. Both paths require intelligence and dedication.”
The pandemic has accelerated this reevaluation. As remote work transformed many office-based professions, essential skilled trades continued largely uninterrupted. This visibility highlighted what many in the industry have long understood: these are careers with built-in resilience against economic disruption.
For parents and students weighing options, the question shouldn’t be which path is “better” but rather which aligns with individual aptitudes, interests, and goals. Some students thrive in academic environments, while others excel in applied settings. The tragedy lies in channeling young people toward paths that don’t match their strengths simply because we value one type of education over another.
Provincial governments across Canada have begun addressing this imbalance. British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta have expanded funding for trades programs and apprenticeships, while launching awareness campaigns highlighting the opportunities in these fields. However, shifting deeply ingrained cultural attitudes requires more than policy changes—it demands honest conversations about how we define success and value different forms of knowledge.
As we stand at this educational crossroads, perhaps the most important question isn’t about which path leads to better outcomes, but why we’ve created a hierarchy between them at all. In a complex economy that requires diverse talents, shouldn’t we celebrate multiple routes to fulfilling, stable careers? The most valuable education system might be one that helps each person find their unique path rather than funneling everyone toward a single destination.
The next time a high school student mentions interest in becoming an electrician, plumber, or carpenter, our response should reflect this broader understanding. These aren’t consolation careers—they’re vital professions that build and maintain the infrastructure of our daily lives, offering stability, intellectual challenge, and the satisfaction of tangible creation.
Perhaps the true education we need isn’t just for our youth, but for all of us who have accepted an outdated narrative about success. In rethinking education choices, we might discover something essential about what really matters in building meaningful lives and resilient communities.
