The coronavirus pandemic continues to pose a major challenge to almost every aspect of normal life. Businesses in different industries have been severely impacted. Read on to learn how the virus has impacted those earning a college degree.

One major area that is still reeling from the impact of COVID-19 is higher education. Throughout 2020, this resulted in the rapid spread of the virus in these institutions. According to JAMA Network, young people accounted for a large number of confirmed coronavirus infections. From June to August 2020, the highest incidence of COVID-19 infections was among young adults aged 20 to 29 years. As a result, hundreds of universities across the US were shut down and those working on a college degree were moved online.

In an attempt to fight the spread of the pandemic, colleges and universities across the US implemented several COVID-19 mitigation efforts, prevention practices and testing strategies. However, the efficacy of these efforts is still in question as more cases continue to be reported.

The experience of a large California university shows the danger of rapid transmission on campus. Prior to the fall 2020 semester, the university implemented mitigation measures such as spacing move-in times, face mask requirements for common spaces, increasing physical spacing in classrooms, and adjusting dining options to avoid crowding. The institution also made arrangements for isolation of affected persons and quarantine of close contacts. Students reported to campus between August 3^rd and 9^th. By August 25th, 670 confirmed cases were reported among the university’s staff, faculty and students (Source: CDC).

Fast forward to July 2021, and we are hearing government officials warn us about the new strain: the delta variant. In the World Health Organization’s most recent update to the public, the variant was in 96 countries, and they anticipate the disease to spread due to the increase in social activity. Should we be prepared for a second shutdown? It’s not inevitable, but preparations by most businesses and educational institutions are in place.

A safer and cheaper option to attending a 4-year college or university is pursuing an apprenticeship. While an apprenticeship in technology requires a certain skill level, it does not require a four-year college degree. You can join an apprenticeship program after completing certification courses at technology institutions. Once added to an apprenticeship program, you can work remotely and learn very effectively in a safe environment.

A college degree merely prepares you for the workforce, but an apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to learn new skills on the job. While a college degree could take 4 years or more to complete, apprenticeship training completes in a shorter period, requires no financial burden from the applicant, while providing the necessary additions to your resume to kick start a career in technology. With the option of remote end point assessment (EPA), you can complete your apprenticeship program without face-to-face contact with assessors. Even if the apprenticeship starts in person and a second shutdown is forced in 2021 or beyond, Tech One IT has already learned and tested the skills needed to pivot from in-person apprenticeships to remote.

Conclusion

In this season, your personal health should be your greatest concern. To protect yourself and your family, pursue an apprenticeship rather than a 4-year degree. Sign up for our Technology Apprenticeship Program (TAP) today: www.techoneit.com/TAP