From ACTE's CTE Policy Watch Blog, 5/28/15 -  

"By 2018, the U.S. will need at least 4.7 million new workers with postsecondary certificates.[i]"

"Employment and earnings success is about more than a student's highest level of education -- field of study is key. As the Georgetown researchers have reported, certificate holders in high-wage, high-demand fields such as computer and information science, electronics, and business and office management earn more than many associate and bachelor's degree holders.[ii] "

According to the report by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce,  a bachelor or higher degree does not automatically result in higher wagers.  43% of young workers with licenses and certificates earn a higher salary than associate degree holders; 27 % of young workers with licenses and certificates earn more than those with a bachelor's degree; and 31 % of young workers with associate degrees make more than those with bachelor's degrees.[i] 

[i]  "Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018" - https://cew.georgetown.edu/report/help-wanted/ 

 [ii]  "Certificates: Gateway to Gainful Employment and College Degrees" - https://cew.georgetown.edu/report/certificates/

By Scarlett Wilson, Published September 21, 2014

So you’ve just finished year 11 and you’ve been thrown into the big wide world – which can be a pretty scary time to say the least. It can be difficult to decide what to do after you finish your GCSEs and it doesn’t help that there are some many options to choose from. But a pretty common question is; “Do I go to college or do an apprenticeship?”

This can be a stressful time, because you’ve got to try and make your mind up about what you actually want to do in life. It’s important to think carefully about your decision – you don’t want to be back to square one in six months because you’ve decided you don’t want to be an apprentice anymore. Remember that this this is your life so you’ve got to think carefully about what suits you!

We’ve come up with some pros and cons of choosing an apprenticeship over college. Hopefully this will help you make the right decision.

Read the entire article here. 

A new publication from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) reviews the challenges that states and schools face in developing stackable credentials and strategies that can overcome these challenges. 
Read more at http://www.acteonline.org/ctepolicywatch.post.aspx?id=6082&blogid=2289#.U1AX5lVdV8E.