Entry Level Jobs and the Need for Better Career Education -

The Opportunity Gap: Unfilled Entry Level Jobs and the Need for Better Career Education

It’s a fact that every year, thousands of high-paying, entry level jobs remain unfilled in industries like skilled trades, manufacturing, and healthcare. The reasons are complex, but one common thread is clear: many young people simply don’t know these opportunities exist. You talk to students and tell them about the jobs, how much they pay, the benefits, the possible trajectory and they’re floored!

What’s the problem? Students are not being told about them! We all know that despite their potential to offer financial security and meaningful work, these jobs are often overshadowed by the dominant narrative that a four-year college degree is the only path to success.

High schools play a critical role in shaping students’ career aspirations, yet many schools fail to provide the guidance needed to explore non-traditional pathways. This lack of awareness perpetuates a cycle where students miss out on lucrative careers, while employers struggle to fill vital entry level positions. We spend a lot of time looking into why this is happening and how we can bridge the gap.

A Landscape of Opportunity

America’s skilled labor shortage is no secret. According to a 2023 article by Georgia Public Broadcasting News, thousands of high-paying jobs that require minimal formal education—often no more than a high school diploma or a certification—go unfilled each year. For example, roles in construction, welding, and electrical work can offer starting salaries of $50,000 or more, with potential to not only grow, but to move upwards into even better management positions. However, many students are unaware of these options because they’re not part of the mainstream narrative around career success being communicated in our high schools.

entry level jobs are numerous, but often unknown to high school grads. Career Day helps facilitate knowledge of those jobs to them.

In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that over 600,000 positions in the skilled trades were left vacant in 2022. These roles don’t just offer competitive salaries—many also provide on-the-job training, union benefits, and opportunities for advancement. The BLS emphasizes that demand for skilled entry level workers is expected to grow over the next decade, further exacerbating the issue if awareness doesn’t improve.

The Misconceptions Holding Students Back

So, why don’t high school students pursue these opportunities? Misconceptions play a big role. In an article from Education Week, it says “The idea that success only comes with a college degree has been deeply ingrained in students for decades.” After decades of pushing college first, it’s become harder to even have a conversation about moving directly from high school to the workforce. We’ve become so ingrained in that thinking that high school counselors are often not given the resources or training to provide comprehensive career education, focusing instead on pushing students toward college preparatory paths.

This one-size-fits-all approach can leave students feeling like there are no viable alternatives to higher education. The lack of exposure to trade schools, apprenticeships, and certification programs perpetuates the myth that these pathways are “lesser” options, even though they can lead to fulfilling and financially rewarding careers.

There’s a lot of Money Out There!

Career Day helps students learn about great paying jobs with benefit at an entry level

The financial advantages of entering the workforce directly out of high school are compelling. For one, students avoid the burden of student debt, which now averages over $37,000 per borrower, according to a report by the U.S. Federal Reserve (2024). Instead, they can start earning immediately and often receive paid training or education through their employers.

Take, for example, the case of electricians. According to the National Electrical Contractors Association, the average starting salary for an apprentice electrician is around $40,000. After completing an apprenticeship, the starting salaries for electricians can be as high as $60,000 to $90,000 annually, depending on their specialization. Similar trajectories exist in fields like plumbing, HVAC, and manufacturing.

For many of these trades there is also the idea that people can be their own bosses. Now, that’s certainly not for everyone. Even those that don’t feel the pull to be an independent operator can find any number of open positions. Especially as the existing workforce begins to age out of certain occupations.

Despite these benefits, many students and parents remain unaware of these opportunities. A survey conducted by Ipsos in 2023 revealed that 72% of high school students couldn’t name a single job in the skilled trades, highlighting the depth of the awareness gap. And why is that? Because we have created an atmosphere where these types of jobs, and the people who take them, are of less value than people in the white-collar world. It’s a fallacy, and a dangerous one at that!

How do we Change the Paradigm?

There are many great paying entry level jobs, but young workers do not know about them. Career Day connects them to the companies that have the openings. — Opportunity Gap 3

High schools have the potential to be powerful catalysts for change, but they’re falling short. Career and technical education (CTE) programs, which are designed to introduce students to alternative career pathways, are underfunded and underutilized in many districts. According to a report by Advance CTE, less than 40% of high school students enroll in CTE courses, despite evidence that these programs significantly improve employment outcomes for graduates. That’s something that definitely needs to change, and can with the understanding that CTE is not just for trades, but for all job types.

“We’re not doing enough to showcase these opportunities to students,” says Kimberly Green, Executive Director of Advance CTE. “When students engage in hands-on learning, they see the real-world applications of their education and understand that there are multiple paths to success.” Which is a strong endorsement of apprenticeships and internships, another way to help get students moving in the right direction.

Schools that invest in robust CTE programs often see remarkable results. For example, the P-TECH program—a public-private partnership that combines high school, college, and workplace learning—has gained national attention for its ability to place students in high-paying jobs directly after graduation. Replicating such models on a larger scale could make a significant dent in the skilled labor shortage.

Let’s Shift the Narrative.

Addressing the awareness gap requires a cultural shift. Parents, educators, and employers all play a role in reframing the conversation around career success. For instance, social media campaigns and community outreach programs can spotlight success stories from individuals who have thrived in these careers.

Employers also have a role to play. According to a 2024 report from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), companies that actively partner with local high schools and community organizations to promote trade careers see higher recruitment and retention rates. By offering internships, job shadowing, and informational sessions, employers can demystify these careers and make them more appealing to young people.

As a matter of fact, a corporate outreach program into the community doesn’t just create a talent pipeline but it can also build strong community connections that drive business outcomes. It’s a powerful tool.

Additionally, mentorship programs can have a profound impact. Connecting students with professionals who have built successful careers in the trades can help break down stereotypes and provide tangible examples of what’s possible. Those internships and apprenticeships have been used in place throughout the world and have all been very successful.

Some Real-World Examples

To truly understand the impact of career awareness, consider the story of Jake Morgan. Featured in a 2024 Wall Street Journal article, Jake skipped college to become a repair technician. Through an apprenticeship program, he learned the skills needed to excel in his role and is now on track to earn $175,000 annually within five years.

“I had no idea this kind of money was possible without a degree,” Jake said in the interview. His story is a testament to the untapped potential in these career paths—and the need for more students to hear about them. The jobs are out there, we just have to change the current paradigm to move kids away from the thinking that these jobs don’t have value in society.

How do we Move Forward?

Good paying entry level jobs with benefits are being made available due to the efforts of Career Day.

The issue of unfilled entry-level jobs isn’t just a challenge for businesses; it’s a missed opportunity for students seeking meaningful and lucrative careers. By addressing the awareness gap and investing in career education, we can connect the next generation with the opportunities they deserve.

If students don’t know that a great career, and the satisfying life it can help to create, are out there then we will always be missing the mark. Students see the flash and glamour, but don’t see the necessity, and impact, of these other jobs. Something that may actually be attainable for them.

How can we work together to make this happen? We need educators, employers, and community leaders, to band together to find workable and purposeful strategies to bring to our schools. By sharing ideas we can build a future where every student understands the full range of opportunities available to them.

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