How Dual Enrollment Courses Help Students Entering the Trades

The U.S. is in a trades lurch, with the number of skilled trades workers lagging behind demand. How big is this gap? While enrollment in trade programs increased 16% from 2022 to 2023, experts like Mike Rowe share that hiring in trades is up 376% for Q4-2024 to Q1-2025 (with peak demand for electricians and manufacturing workers).

Add in AI threatening to take over more white-collar jobs and tech companies pulling back on hiring altogether, and it may seem like trades are a surefire way to get hired with healthy wages and long-term job security. In fact, the trades are a well-respected, much-needed hiring segment that keeps communities safe, functioning, and growing for the next generation. 

More students being excited about HVAC, plumbing, and electrical also ensures we have people in place to keep serving an aging U.S. population (and their homes.)

However, that doesn’t mean a student has to choose between “trades” and “no trades.” Many just aren’t sure what they want to do at age 15, 16, or even 17, and that’s OK. Having a well-rounded college preparatory plan in the 9th-12th grades ensures they have all options open and can become a better tradesperson if they follow that route. 

Here’s how dual enrollment in high school is helping them do just that, along with the TEL Education courses best suited for students with a talent for the trades.

Early Technical Skill Development

While many of the courses in trade school focus on a specific trade, some are general math or science courses. These courses can often be taken as part of a rigorous high school curriculum, such as through TEL Education’s partnership with Briar Cliff University.

Options include College Algebra or Physical Science, which may help fulfill some of the trade school requirements for various programs. Even if these particular courses don’t match one-for-one with the specific coursework at their future trade school, they can give students the confidence to excel in the more technical courses required in their chosen program. 

Introduction to Business and Soft Skills

If you ask someone the difference between a good plumber and a great plumber, the answer may be soft skills. Being able to communicate and having superior problem-solving know-how not only gives students a head start at being a great tradesperson, but these skills form the backbone to eventually owning a successful business in the trades.

Courses that can help students excel in their field work and possibly create thriving HVAC, electrical, or welding businesses include Spanish 1, Spanish II, Public Speaking, and Entrepreneurship. 

Time and Money Saved

College courses taken while in high school are courses that don’t have to be taken later, giving students an even faster track to the workforce than their peers in trade school. Even one or two courses can cut down the completion time for an associate’s or certificate program. 

For those programs that can’t be shortened, the wiggle room created by having math or science already completed can be used for studying more, working a second job, or actively pursuing an apprenticeship position. 

Some courses can be swapped out individually; these can be much cheaper when taken in high school. The $100 credit hour cost for a TEL Education course is still lower than the average $120-150 per credit hour at a public community college. Briar Cliff University courses also come with all the study materials needed – no buying additional textbooks. 

These added savings can be used to purchase the mandatory tools for a trade school program later, such as mechanic’s gear or welding protection. 

More Educational (and Career) Freedom

The “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up” burden is a real one. Most students struggle to settle on a solid path forward, making liberal arts colleges a good option for those who want exposure to multiple fields without the pressure to make a decision immediately.

So, does that make trades the “anti” to a liberal arts focus? Not at all. By taking dual enrollment courses in high school, students can get a toe into philosophy, music appreciation, visual arts, and theology without getting off track for their eventual trades education.

And who knows? If a student enters the trades and decides it’s not for them, they have a backup plan. Those credits earned in high school can be easily transferred to any accredited U.S. college or university. Students who are undecided can bank those credits for later, knowing they can transition from trades to traditional school (or back again) as they gain clarity on their future. 

Trades + Dual Enrollment = Better Outcomes

Overall, dual enrollment acts as a launchpad for skilled trades careers, offering practical training, faster and more affordable routes to employment. 

“Dual enrollment is the launchpad for tomorrow’s skilled workforce—giving students hands-on exposure to the trades, saving families money, and opening faster pathways to meaningful careers.” Russ Pickett, VP of Business Development at TEL Education

Courses like those offered by TEL Education and Briar Cliff University provide opportunities for high school students to explore and excel in technical fields without the pressure to make a decision right away or spend too much money while they figure things out. 

Looking for more resources? Be sure to check out the rest of our homeschool dual enrollment articles!