Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA)

A career in the skilled trades is often the last option on high-school graduates’ minds, as attending a four-year college has long been considered their logical next step toward a rewarding career. But with the cost of college tuition soaring, the value of a bachelor’s degree in question, and sky-high demand for skilled tradespeople leading to more robust salaries and greater job security, more young people are enrolling in trade schools than they have in years.

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) is preparing to send teams of students from each of its four branch campuses to compete in the annual Aerospace Maintenance Council (AMC) Competition taking place in Chicago on April 9-11.