Rising GOP star Mark Robinson touts vocational apprenticeships as alternative to 4-year degrees

North Carolina GOP Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson says there are other avenues to successful careers besides a four-year college degree, including vocational apprenticeship programs.

"We're not against four-year university degrees, but we also want to let our students and our children know that there are a number of other venues that you can go through to make not just a living, but a great career," Robinson told the "Just the News, No Noise" TV show Tuesday. "And the skilled trades of those opportunities definitely exist."

Robinson, who recently announced his candidacy for North Carolina governor, said that his state is prioritizing opportunities for students to pursue a career path in the trades. 

"Our office was able to secure $12 million for apprenticeship programs across the state here in North Carolina," he said. "We want to do even more because we see the great effect that that is having in so many places and for so many employers. Those employers are the key to continue to build our economy."

The apprenticeship programs the state Legislature approved will offer certification and training for careers such as electricians and plumbers and will largely impact rural parts of the state.

"We want to open up those opportunities to our young people and let them know that the four-year university is not the only way to go," said Robinson. 

According to a recent study done by Resume Builder, one in five college graduates are working jobs that are unrelated to their college major, and roughly 40% of recent graduates are struggling to get a job after graduating. 

Campus Reform Higher Education fellow Nick Giordano said that with how expensive college has become, many parents are wondering if it's worth financially investing in for their kids.

"A lot of parents out there are saying, 'Should I invest 20, 30,  40, 50 or even $100,000 a year for my child to be indoctrinated and, at the same time, not actually have any skills to actually build out the career that they need to sustain themselves?'" Giordano told the "Just the News, No Noise" TV show. 

He praised North Carolina for their efforts to promote vocational training so students will have other alternatives.

"This is a huge opportunity and a unique opportunity to start giving students not only an academic education, but also vocational education," he said. "That never leaves you. So if you learn electrical work, that skill never goes old."

Other states that prioritize apprenticeships in the trades include Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa. 

"Those employers and those employees are key to success in our state because we want folks to have great careers," Robinson said.