A four-year college degree isn’t for everybody, and it’s also not the only way to find success.

As numerous groups in our community are striving to show — through a short film and public forum at Alpena Community College today and through the ongoing work of new career navigators in local schools — skilled trades offer graduates and residents not only a viable career option, but also a chance to thrive and build the American Dream right here in Northeast Michigan.

We need doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other positions that require advanced degrees.

But we also require the skills needed in advanced manufacturing, plumbing, construction, and heating-and-cooling that keep our community humming.

Even running the press here at The News could build a good life for someone turned off by the idea of four or eight or more years at university.

Typically, gaining the skills and certifications necessary for those types of jobs is far more affordable than obtaining an advanced degree, and can be had right here at home, through classes at ACC, apprenticeship programs, and on-the-job training.

We applaud the efforts of local groups to show students and residents the many paths available to them, and we hope Northeast Michiganders who know university isn’t for them will consider a skilled trade job.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)