While work is on pause for more than 30 million Americans, some industries are actively recruiting. Skilled trades like welding are in high demand.

"Absolutely, they're always in demand. One of the few employers that's still hiring in San Diego right now, mid-pandemic, is NASSCO, right down the street from here. We have a student interviewing tomorrow for a welding position, in the middle of a pandemic," said Brad Dorschel, a welding instructor.

Dorschel teaches at San Diego Continuing Education (

SDCE

), California's largest provider of noncredit education. Course training and classes at SDCE is completely free for students.

"If you were just coming in with truly no background knowledge, where you didn't even know what the word welding meant, you're looking at anywhere from nine months to a year until we would feel confident and say, 'hey, you can go out and get that first welding job now,'" said Dorschel.

Dorschel says it's an ideal time to get into the industry as an influx of workers prepares to retire.

According to the American Welding Society, the industry will face a shortage of 400,000 workers by 2024.

"If they don't have a problem with getting dirty, if they don't have a problem with working hard, this is a very honest and good trade to get into," said Douglas Tracy, business manager at

Sheet Metal Workers Local 206 in San Diego

, an apprenticeship union.

Tracy says unions like his are actively recruiting across the country, especially trying to get more females into the male-dominated industry.

Students who go this route receive free education, as well as a paying job right away. They must first be accepted into the union and agree to a long-term commitment. They must first be accepted into the union and agree to a long-term commitment.

Tracy's union has a five-year training program, and students sign an Apprenticeship Loan Agreement. Upon graduating, students must continue working for the union for several more years. If they leave the program and use their training elsewhere, they'll have to pay the union back.

"It's doesn't cost you a nickel to get in. You're going to start off with $20 an hour, and in a matter of five years, you're gonna be making, using today's wages, $41 an hour," Tracy said.

Plus, a 401(k), pension, and health benefits.

Students can also go the community college route. While they'll likely pay for classes, the path is more flexible and offers various career pathways. Many schools offer weekend and night courses.

Trade schools are another option but can be more costly as many of the schools are for-profit schools, says Dorschel.

He attended a trade school and said it gave him more freedom to build his own program rather than following a specific structure. But he warns that just two years of schooling can cost tens of thousands of dollars. He encourages people to look at all their options and decide which one makes the most sense for their unique needs.

While many in-person classes are on hold, students can still take online courses.

"Now is your chance. Get the training, so when this is over, you can go back to work," said Dorschel.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jill Biden is pushing free access to community college and training programs, particularly for those who are struggling during the economic slump brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

She says community colleges will be an important part of the Biden administration's efforts to strengthen the economy.

“We have to get this done. And we have to do it now. That’s why we’re going to make sure that everyone has access to free community college and training programs,” Biden said.

The first lady made the promise in taped remarks Tuesday to a virtual meeting of associations that represent community colleges.

She didn't provide any details.

As a presidential candidate, Joe Biden promised two years of community college or training “without debt.”

In 2015, President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden pushed a plan to provide two years of free community college, but the proposal languished in Congress.

ARNOLD, MD — When you visit the campus of Anne Arundel Community College it's hard to tell it apart from any other small college campus in the country.

There is a student union, a cafeteria, and a library.

In fact, perhaps one of the only noticeable differences is the fact the word "community" appears in its name.

However, when you talk to the students, you quickly find the role that community colleges play in our country.

Bri Barone came here because of family finances.

"My mom was like, can you try this," Barone said.

Rajan Thummar enrolled because of grades in high school.

"I didn't do that great academically," Thummar said.

Breanna Elliott gave community college a try after realizing in her mid-20s a high school diploma wasn't cutting it.

"I always wanted to study interior design and architecture," Elliot said.

AWAITING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PLAN

It’s estimated there are around 5 million students enrolled in two-year community colleges in this country.

All of them learning an associate degree, which many use to enter the workforce or enroll in a university for two more years to get a bachelor’s degree.

Many of those students are anxiously awaiting the fate of President Joe Biden’s American Families Plan.

The President is calling for income taxes to go up on individuals making more than $450,000 and couples making more than $500,000 to pay for his priorities like paid family leave, child care assistance, and free community college for two years.

One plan calls for $109 billion to make tuition at places like Anne Arundel completely free for families who make less than $125,000 a year.

Right now it costs around $4,000 annually, which is around the national average.

Elliott, who is graduating valedictorian, says coming up with that may sound easy, but when you just quit your job to enroll, it;s a lot of money.

"I would have felt better knowing that it was completely free," Elliot said.

PLAN IN EARLY STAGES

The proposal is still very much in the early stages and very much subject to change.

One current proposal on Capitol Hill is to make sure each state has a stake in providing free tuition.

While the federal government would pay for 75% of the tuition, the remaining 25% would be paid by state governments. If a state elects to not participate, community college would not be free in that state.

"Whenever there is a proposal, there are pros and cons," Dr. Dawn Lindsay, President at Anne Arundel Community College, said.

While Lindsay said it is too early to speculate on the proposal before Congress, it is an exciting time for community colleges.

Lindsay believes the legislation could fundamentally change how Americans view community colleges. Free tuition couldn't be overlooked.

New trade programs are also expanding nationwide, including at Anne Arundel, offering potentially higher pay for students once they graduate.

"We are in the process of putting a school trade center up right here because local businesses said they got these great paying jobs and they have students they can’t find," Lindsay said.