There's a widespread perception in the United States that a university degree is the key to success. But a growing number of educators now say there are other possibilities, especially for students who might not succeed at university level. 

This is not a traditional classroom. At the apprentice program run by the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in the state of Maryland, Travis Strawderman and other students make money while they learn. "I \t's completely changed my life around," he said. "I've been able to pay off all my debts. I can say I'm actually responsible enough to have my own family." 

Strawderman's five-year program teaches him technical skills free of charge. He says he considered university, but it didn't interest him. Economics Professor Robert Lerman says Strawderman is not alone. "A lot of people are bored in high school," Lerman stated. "They leave high school because they are bored. They want to do something besides sitting in a classroom." Lerman says the education system in the United States in too focused on pushing students to attend university. "What we're doing now is we're doing now is we're saying unless you learn in this way you don't really have the chance for a rewarding career," he said. 

But Chad Aldeman, an analyst, says studies show the longer students saty in school the better chance they have at having a high paying and stable career. "If you only are a high school graduate your wages are going to drop over your lifetime-as opposed to a college degree," he said. "The college degree is really and insurance policey against unemployment and against low wages."
which analyst is mentioned?
who is an apprentice?
where?
how much does he pay?
why do they leave school?
who says this?
who is he?
what does the apprentice teach?
for how long?
what is the monetary benefit?
what is the focus in the US?
Does Chad agree with Strawderman?
how does he feel about a degree?
what about of just high school?
what has travis achieved?
does he feel responsible?
are students of high school bored?
was it the same for Travis?
what would they like to do?
is everyone successful in university?
Chad Aldeman
Chad Aldeman
Travis Strawderman
Travis Strawderman
Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in the state of Maryland
Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in the state of Maryland
nothing
Strawderman's five-year program teaches him technical skills free of charge
because they are bored
because they are bored
Robert Lerman
Robert Lerman
an Economics professor
Economics Professor
technical skills
technical skills
five years
 five-year
making money while they learn
 make money while they learn
pushing students to attend university
pushing students to attend university
no
The college degree is really and insurance policey against unemployment and against low wages
he calls it an insurance policy against unemployment and against low wages
and insurance policey against unemployment and against low wage
wages are going to drop over your lifetime
wages are going to drop over your lifetime
he paid off all his debts
pay off all my debts.
yes
I can say I'm actually responsible enough to have my own family." 
yes
They leave high school because they are bored
yes
ravis Strawderman and other students make money while they learn
something besides sitting in a classroom
 something besides sitting in a classroom
no
 especially for students who might not succeed at university level.