I want to apologize for the phrasing used in my “The World Keeps Turning” column of July 22 [“Footing the bill for college”]. As several readers have pointed out, I left the impression that I didn’t value young people learning a trade and that succeeding in life (owning a home, having a secure career) requires a college degree. My flat statement of this requirement was followed by statistics showing the importance of a college degree on lifetime earnings and the probability of unemployment.

I should have said “Statistics suggest” the importance of a degree. I know many tradespeople and others who have done very well (own a home, have a secure career) and I don’t believe college is the only road to success. In fact, I know some without a college degree who I believe are much smarter than others with multiple degrees. I also know it’s possible to get a degree without a loan or to pay back a loan in a reasonable time. But statistics show that a college degree improves a young person’s earning potential and long-term employment.

Allen Woods

Greenfield

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