Help Your Child Decide College vs Skilled Trades
Straightforward, neutral guidance to help you understand how skilled trades, college, and career paths compare — so you can support confident decisions without pressure or bias.
No experience required. No pressure. Just real insight.
Helping a young adult decide what comes after high school — college, a trade, or something else — can feel overwhelming. Between conflicting advice, outdated assumptions, and incomplete information, it’s hard to know what message will help, not hurt. This page is designed for parents, mentors, and caregivers who want real-world clarity about skilled trades alongside traditional education options.
What Parents Gain Here
Clear, unbiased insight to help you guide career conversations with confidence
without pressure, assumptions, or outdated advice.
Understand Trade Realities
Get a clearer picture of what skilled trade careers actually look like day to day, beyond stereotypes or assumptions.
Compare Paths Thoughtfully
See how skilled trades and college paths compare in terms of work, income, lifestyle, and long-term outcomes.
Guide Better Conversations
Learn how to frame career discussions in a constructive way that supports confidence rather than pressure.
Support Better Career Conversations
Use the Skilled Trade Mentor AI to explore real-world career questions with your young adult — calmly, objectively, and without pressure.
Many parents want to help — but don’t always feel confident navigating today’s career landscape.
The Skilled Trade Mentor AI gives you a practical way to explore options, ask better questions, and understand modern trade careers alongside traditional college paths.
Questions Parents Commonly Ask
Clear, honest answers to help you navigate career conversations with your young adult — without pressure or assumptions.
Mentor For Skilled Trade Business Owners - FAQ
❓ Is this biased toward skilled trades over college?
❓ How can this help me talk to my child without causing conflict?
❓ Can this help if my child is unsure or changing their mind?
❓ Does this replace guidance counselors or career advisors?
❓ What if my child and I disagree about college versus trades?
❓ Is this only for parents considering trades for their child?
A free, neutral tool to help you think through career conversations before having them at home.
Join The STR Community
Join others learning about skilled trades — at your pace.
Get exposed to real-world stories, lessons, and perspectives from people working in the skilled trades, so you can better understand
what the work and lifestyle are actually like.
Skilled Trade Rescue
Empowering the Trades
Building careers, connecting professionals, and elevating the skilled trades industry through education, community, and real-world resources.