High school and college-age students have a vast array of job opportunities at their disposal, a fact reinforced on the pages of the final of four “Progress 2008” supplements printed with Wednesday’s edition of The Free Press. But young job-seekers have traditionally faced an odd disconnect. Many of them are unsure of what they want in a career, and how to get there.

For some, traditional college settings aren’t the answer at all. Despite an incessant societal drumbeat extolling the necessity of a college education, only 62 percent of high school grads enroll in college, and less than half get degrees.

Fortunately, awareness is increasing that more needs to be done to match young people with skilled trade jobs that don’t necessarily call for four-year college diplomas. In the Mankato area, employment organizations are increasingly emphasizing the wide net philosophy.

The concept is fueled in large part by employers themselves. With retirements accelerating, according to most statistics, skilled trade jobs are begging to be filled. Apprenticeship programs are growing as employers express a desire for more on-the-job training, with many anxious to pay future employees for the very training they’ll need.

The fact is, young people aren’t always aware of where opportunity knocks loudest. And given the fact that four years of college is practically unattainable for some, they need to be aware of the full range of options including two-year degrees and technical training.

Karen Wagner, manager of the Mankato Workforce Center, says many young job-seekers can gain valuable experience by learning at entry-level jobs — getting on the “career ladder” by developing new skills that can be put to use later.

“You have to start someplace. And sometimes the expectations can be beyond reality. Depending upon your geographical area, (the goal) might not be the reality today, but it can be 10 years or 15 years from now,” Wagner told The Free Press this week.

It’s wrong to say that college degrees aren’t as important as ever; in fact, our ever-expanding information-based society needs college-educated workers more than at any other time in history. But there is also value in other career choices.

The Mankato area happens to be fortunate, offering job opportunities of all kinds as well as excellent training grounds. The South Central Workforce Council is one group emphasizing skilled trade opportunities, and college educators are studying ways to match future opportunities with new course offerings. Experts are busily assessing where the most jobs are and where they’ll be a decade from now.

Above all, partnerships between colleges, citizen groups, school guidance counselors, young people and their parents need to be stressed. Early planning can save money and time spent on unfruitful career paths.