As the average cost of college in the United States soars, more young people are being drawn to skilled trades.

It's part of a career rethink among Gen Z who've been called the Tool Belt Generation.

Your special correspondent Christopher Booker.

There's seven different types of harnesses, right? So you're going to help him dress out.

The task is simple enough. Put on a safety harness, secure the ladder, and climb up.

Identify three items that you see up there.

This exercise is all part of an introduction to construction course

at Westchester Community College.

And for the students, it's a first step toward a career in the skilled trades.

The certificate they get from completing this class opens the door to any trade they

may be interested in.

You've got to start somewhere.

And this program right here is the kind of thing that will get your foot in the door.

They can build upon this and get into more specific training, plumbing,

electrical, HVAC. How did you guys make out at the career fair? Thomas Stewart, a retired

steam fitter and member of New York's local 21 plumbers and steam fitters, has been an adjunct

instructor with Westchester Community College for the past seven years.

Since COVID, he says the number of students walking into his course has increased substantially.

And the rise is happening nationwide. According to the National Student Clearing House,

the number of students in vocational-focused community college has risen by nearly 16% since 2020.

Somehow word must have gotten out, and I've known this for years, that there is a shortage of skilled tradesmen. And I think the

younger generation is realizing that they don't necessarily have to go to college to make good

...