In many cases, NO.

The need for skilled tradespeople is at a crisis stage. Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford Motor, says he can’t fill some 5,000 openings for mechanics despite offering a salary of $120,000 a year. That’s twice the average annual salary.

“We have over a million openings in critical jobs, emergency services, trucking, factory workers, plumbers, electricians, and tradesmen,” Farley says. Noting that it takes five years to learn to be a diesel mechanic, he says new intensive trade schools must open new branches. Enrollment in trade schools went up 16% last year while traditional universities saw a 1% drop in enrollment.

Many students would be smart to pursue a technical college or apprenticeship and learn skills they can put to good use right away.