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Students going into skilled trades are finding secure jobs, good pay

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2 years ago

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Angela Ramirez-Riojas, 18, is enrolled in Riverview High School’s construction academy.

Courtesy: Riverview High School

For Angela Ramirez-Riojas, 18, going to college was always plan B.

Her grandfather works in construction, and that motivated Ramirez-Riojas to follow in his footsteps.

“I’ve gone with him to work,” she said. “He frames houses and I really enjoyed being there with him because I look up to him. He’s very smart and knows a lot about working with his hands.”

Ramirez-Riojas, who is a senior at Riverview High School in Riverview, Florida, enrolled in her school’s recently opened vocational program in construction. The job training was particularly appealing, she said.

“I want something quick to help me move along,” she said.

Still, higher education isn’t completely off the table, she said. “College is a second option for me.”

Is it best to go to college or dive straight into the working world?

Interest in the skilled trades is rising among teens

Three years ago, Riverview High School opened its construction academy to help put students like Ramirez-Riojas on a path to well-paying jobs after graduation, often in lieu of a four-year degree.

This program “is not a ‘Last Chance U,'” said Erin Haughey, Riverview’s principal. “If we have students who are highly motivated, they want to learn the skill, they want to be in the trade, then they get to stay in our community and they get to do a job they love.”

With the capacity for 20 students in the workshop at a time, and only three classes offered each year, there is now a waiting list to get in, she said. Of the 120 students who sign up each spring, only 60 ultimately secure spots.

“I could fill Jeff’s classroom twice over,” said Haughey, referring to Jeff Lahdenpera, the building trades teacher.

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“It’s not only throwing nails and two by fours,” Lahdenpera said. Students can get certified in carpentry, plumbing and electrical work, and continue on to pursue various specialties, including construction management, administration, logistics and transportation, marketing and graphics or human resources.

“Construction trades is not just the physical part, there’s other parts of it that encompass the whole industry,” Lahdenpera said.

Construction worker shortage is boosting pay

In addition to providing students with a career-connected pathway available at a lower cost than a four-year college, Riverview’s construction academy was also created to help address a local labor shortage, which mirrors what is happening nationwide.  

The academy was funded, in part, by a $50,000 donation from Neal Communities, a private builder based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

“There’s a lot of development that’s happening right now in our counties,” said Katie Alderman, Neal’s community affairs coordinator.

America needs construction workers. This year, the construction industry would have to attract more than half a million workers more on top of the normal pace of hiring to meet the demand for labor, according to a model developed by Associated Builders and Contractors. Currently, the unemployment rate in the industry is 3.2%, well below the national average of 4.2%.

The shortage of skilled tradespeople, largely due to experienced workers aging out of the field, is not only boosting the number of job opportunities but also the pay.  

In fact, new construction hires earn more than new hires in the professional services, according to payroll-services provider ADP.

At the end of last year, median pay for new hires in construction was $48,089, up 5.1% from a year earlier. The median pay for new hires in professional services was nearly $10,000 lower, at $39,520, up just 2.7% from the year before.

“This is just the law of supply and demand,” said certified financial planner Ted Jenkin, CEO and founder of oXYGen Financial in Atlanta.

Gen Z is becoming the ‘toolbelt generation’

Roughly half, 49%, of high schoolers now believe a high school degree, trade program, two-year degree or other type of enrichment program is the highest level of education needed for their anticipated career path, according to a report by Junior Achievement and Citizens Bank. 

Even more — 56% — believe that real world and on-the-job experience is more beneficial than obtaining a higher education degree. The survey polled 1,000 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 in July.

There’s an insulting presumption that a four-year college is the gold standard — it’s not.

Ted Jenkin

CEO and founder of oXYGen Financial

The college affordability crisis and the rise of alternative career pathways, together, are helping transform Generation Z into the so-called “toolbelt generation,” according to Jenkin, who is also a member of CNBC’s Financial Advisor Council.

“There’s an insulting presumption that a four-year college is the gold standard — it’s not,” Jenkin said.

From 2022 to 2023, enrollment in vocational programs jumped 16%, the National Student Clearinghouse found. And many of these young adults are benefiting from the secure job track and high earnings potential these vocational jobs now provide, Jenkin said.

“The delta between white-collar jobs and good blue-collar jobs is not that big anymore,” Jenkin said. “That gap is closing.”

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$20,000 Caution Bond Requirement for US Visa Applications imposed on 50 Countries

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7 days ago

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August 8, 2026

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The United States Department of State has officially implemented a revised visa policy introducing a mandatory posting requirement for caution payments of up to $20,000 on select foreign travel applications. Under the updated regulatory framework, consular officials are authorized to require temporary nonimmigrant visa applicants from targeted foreign countries to post a refundable financial bond of $20,000 as a condition for visa issuance. The policy mechanism is designed to address diplomatic concerns regarding high overstay rates among temporary visitor, business, and educational visa categories.

The caution bond pilot program applies selectively to foreign nationals from designated countries whose diplomatic entities record historical visa overstay rates exceeding established federal thresholds. Under administrative guidelines published by the State Department, the full financial deposit is posted directly to a dedicated federal escrow account prior to final visa issuance. The entire caution payment is automatically refunded to the applicant upon verified proof of timely departure from the United States in strict compliance with the authorized duration of stay. Conversely, failure to depart within the legal timeframe results in full forfeiture of the posted financial bond to the United States government.

Diplomatic representatives and travel policy experts have expressed varying perspectives regarding the operational implementation of the caution bond system. Administration officials emphasize that the measure serves as an effective, market-based incentive to enforce international travel compliance and preserve domestic immigration security standards. However, international trade organizations and foreign diplomatic missions have raised concerns regarding the financial burden imposed on legitimate business travelers, foreign students, and commercial partners from developing nations.

The United States finalized the rule to make the temporary visa bond program permanent, taking effect on August 3, 2026. The updated permanent regulation replaces the prior 12-month pilot, eliminates the lowest $5,000 tier, and raises the maximum required bond amount to $20,000 for specific B-1/B-2 business and tourist visa applicants.

Here is the list of the 50 countries on the list as o August 3, 2026

African Nations (31 Countries)

  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Botswana
  • Burundi
  • Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
  • Central African Republic
  • Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Djibouti
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • The Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Asian & Eastern European Nations (11 Countries)

  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • Cambodia
  • Georgia
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Mongolia
  • Nepal
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan

Caribbean & Latin American Nations (5 Countries)

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Venezuela

Oceanian Nations (3 Countries)

  • Fiji
  • Tonga
  • Vanuatu

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Next-Generation Retirement Planning: Managing Longevity Risk and Variable Income Streams

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1 week ago

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August 7, 2026

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Retirement planning strategies are evolving in 2026 to address increased life expectancies, shifting dynamic market conditions, and the transition away from traditional defined-benefit pensions. Individual investors and financial advisors are abandoning rigid retirement models in favor of flexible, multi-asset strategies designed to mitigate longevity risk and preserve purchasing power over multi-decade retirement horizons.

Mitigating Longevity Risk with Dynamic Asset Allocation
As average life expectancies extend past eighty-five years, one of the primary financial risks facing retirees is outliving their accumulated wealth. Traditional fixed income allocations—such as the standard 60/40 equity-to-bond portfolio—are being reevaluated to ensure portfolios generate sufficient capital growth alongside reliable income.

Financial planners recommend maintaining a meaningful equity allocation throughout retirement to offset long-term inflation erosion. High-dividend equity funds, global real estate investment trusts (REITs), and inflation-indexed Treasuries are combined to create diversified portfolios that deliver both growth and income stability.

The Transition to Dynamic Withdrawal Strategies
The classic “4% safe withdrawal rule” is increasingly replaced by dynamic withdrawal strategies that adapt annually based on market performance. Under a dynamic withdrawal framework, retirees adjust their annual distribution rates within pre-set caps and floors:
– Market Upside: During strong market returns, retirees can increase discretionary spending or fund family legacy gifts.
– Market Downturns: During market pullbacks, spending distributions are temporarily reduced to prevent sequence-of-returns risk and preserve core investment principal.

Guaranteed Lifetime Income Options and Deferred Annuities
To establish a guaranteed baseline for essential living expenses, individuals are incorporating modern fixed-indexed and deferred longevity annuities into their broader retirement architectures. Modern annuity structures offer competitive return caps, transparent fee schedules, and inflation-adjustment options.

By funding essential expenses—such as housing, healthcare, and insurance—with guaranteed income streams from Social Security, pensions, and annuities, retirees can manage discretionary investment portfolios with greater flexibility and lower emotional stress during market volatility.

Actionable Steps for Future Retirees
1. Calculate Baseline Retirement Expenses: Determine fixed living costs and map guaranteed income sources to cover essential expenditures.
2. Adopt Flexible Withdrawal Rules: Implement dynamic spending rules to protect investment principal against market downturns.
3. Incorporate Inflation-Protected Assets: Maintain exposure to dividend-growing equities and inflation-indexed bonds to safeguard long-term purchasing power.

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Building Generational Wealth: Family Governance, Estate Tax Optimization, and Asset Protection

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2 weeks ago

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August 1, 2026

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As the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in history accelerates, high-net-worth families, entrepreneurs, and individual investors are placing heightened emphasis on comprehensive estate planning, family governance, and asset protection. Preserving capital across generations requires a balanced approach combining tax-efficient legal structures with open family communication and financial literacy education.

Optimizing Estate Tax Exemptions and Trust Structures
With potential modifications to federal estate tax exemption thresholds on the horizon, proactive estate planning is essential for high-net-worth households. Estate planning attorneys and wealth advisors are establishing multi-generational trust structures to transfer wealth efficiently while minimizing estate and gift tax exposure.

Popular structural strategies include:
– Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs): Utilizing life insurance proceeds to provide liquidity for estate tax obligations without expanding the taxable estate.
– Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs): Transferring rapidly appreciating assets to beneficiaries with minimal gift tax consequences.
– Dynasty Trusts: Preserving wealth across multiple generations while providing long-term asset protection from creditor claims and legal liabilities.

Establishing Family Governance and Financial Education
Legal and financial structures alone cannot guarantee long-term wealth preservation without effective family governance. Financial advisors report that a significant percentage of multi-generational wealth dissipation stems from lack of communication and inadequate financial preparation among heir generations.

Families are establishing formal family governance frameworks, including periodic family meetings, written mission statements, and structured philanthropic foundations. Involving younger family members in charitable grant-making and investment discussions fosters financial stewardship and prepares heirs to manage family assets responsibly.

Digital Asset Custody and Legacy Planning
In today’s modern economy, estate planning must extend beyond physical real estate and traditional brokerage accounts to encompass digital assets. Comprehensive estate plans now include detailed inventories and legal access protocols for corporate domain names, intellectual property, digital media rights, and cryptocurrency holdings.

Fiduciaries and estate executors should be provided with secure, encrypted access mechanisms and clear legal authority to manage and transfer digital holdings in accordance with the owner’s estate directions.

Practical Steps for Legacy Planning
1. Review and Update Estate Documents: Ensure wills, revocable trusts, and power-of-attorney designations accurately reflect current family structures.
2. Establish Structured Trusts: Utilize irrevocable trusts to protect assets from creditors and minimize future estate tax liabilities.
3. Create a Digital Estate Inventory: Document access protocols and legal permissions for all online accounts, intellectual property, and digital assets.

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