Newest quarterly report from Validated Insights predicts enrollments in trade schools and trade programs will increase 6% annually.
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#ed–According to the newly updated report on trade school enrollments from higher education marketing and research firm Validated Insights, enrollments in trade schools are projected to continue significant growth over the next five years, increasing 6.6% per year from 2025 to 2030.
Although the projected growth in trade schools is strong, it’s less than the projected growth in higher education overall, which the new report projects to increase 10.3% year over year through 2030.
Among the biggest findings in this report—which contains updates from the Trade School Market Insights issued in March—is a growing generational gap in trade school enrollments and projected enrollments. “Gen Z is the future of enrollment at trade schools,” the report states.
Specifically, the September report found that over the past eight years, trade school enrollments among members of Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012), increased a staggering 1,421%. That’s partly due to this cohort reaching ages of educational self-determination. Still, the generational disparities are real, as trade school enrollments by Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) fell by 18.2% over the same time.
“Trade school enrollments are still growing and predicted to keep on growing into the near term,” said Brady Colby, Head of Market Research at Validated Insights. “The generational divergence we’re seeing is fascinating. Some of it is generations moving in or out of their prime learning years and into prime earning years. But it’s more than that, the data shows a real difference in attitude about, and acceptance of, trade school education options for this youngest generation,” said Colby.
This new update includes a look at a generational divide based on what members of specific age groups say high school graduates should do, versus what they actually do. Support for trade school learning options increases as people age—22% of the Gen Z group suggest recent graduates attend a trade school, compared to 41% of Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964). Younger generations are also more likely than older cohorts to recommend a four-year college.
The report also takes a first look at a growing group of “new providers” in vocational and technical education. These are companies and institutions that offer digital-first, career-aligned programs, most often in healthcare or digital fields. Similar to the generation differences found elsewhere, Gen Z members are more willing to use these alternative providers than those in older generational groups.
Most significant to the market overall, projections are that alternative providers will see revenue growth greater than rates for more traditional trade schools – 7.3% compared to 6.0%.
“Unsurprisingly, the future of these alternative education providers is all about young people—Gen Z,” said Colby. “This generation is really driving the train for these institutions and companies, as they are for trade schools overall. It’s hard to overstate how true that is,” he said.
In late 2024, Validated Insights released its initial report on trade schools and an updated version was released in March 2025. Other reports from Validated Insights have studied the market for online program management companies (OPM), MBA programs, nursing education, AI education, and computer science programs. To receive future reports from Validated Insights, follow Higher Ed News by VI on LinkedIn.
About Validated Insights
Validated Insights is an agile marketing agency specializing in helping higher education institutions achieve and exceed their goals. With a comprehensive suite of services, including digital marketing, paid search, paid social, and web strategy, Validated Insights delivers data-driven strategies and measurable results. The agency’s agile testing approach enables short- and long-term growth through better creative, strategy, media execution and continuous brand building. Validated Insights is the only agency in the higher education space to offer a performance guarantee in KPIs in the first 60 days – and continuous growth beyond that. Learn more at validatedinsights.com.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Harrison for Validated Insights
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