Society does not need more teenagers entering college by default, only to pursue career paths for which the market has little demand.

We could use more young people training for practical careers that don’t require mountains of student loan debt. Gov. John Hickenlooper would be wise to secure the future of a leading-edge, statewide apprenticeship program during his last year in office.

With fewer than 500 days to serve, the term-limited governor spoke at length last week about his potential legacy. Apprenticeships for young Coloradans topped his list of goals.

Most young adults don’t obtain college degrees, Hickenlooper explained to reporter Joey Bunch of ColoradoPolitics.com.

“Yet we’ve told all these kids that unless you go to college you’re a failure, essentially,” Hickenlooper said.

College is one means of preparing for life, and for some work it is essential. By no means should we confuse college as the only path to meaningful and lucrative lives and careers.

Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Julian Assange, Larry Ellison and Mark Zuckerberg are a small sample of modern innovators without college degrees.

Others notable examples have no college credits or high school diplomas. Self-made billionaire and Netscape co-founder James Clark dropped out of school at age 16. Dole Foods CEO and self-made billionaire David Murdock dropped out at 14. Self-made billionaire Richard Branson dropped out at 15.

Far more common are everyday professionals who have successfully pursued high-wage careers with high school diplomas and no costly degrees. They include medical assistants, insurance agents, energy technicians, computer programmers, hearing aid specialists, cardiovascular technicians, respiratory therapists, nurses, paramedics, dental hygienists, web developers, electricians, welders, firefighters, automotive technicians, real estate agents, and more.

Under Hickenlooper’s plan, a high school junior could enroll in a program that would lead to a career in a field such as banking, insurance, cybersecurity or advanced manufacturing. Students might work three days a week and take classes two days a week at community colleges. Each would earn a high school diploma and a year of transferable college credit.

“I think this is one of the most important things I’ve ever worked on and an amazingly powerful solution. I’ve got 469 days to prove we have a model that’s worthy of being a national model,” Hickenlooper said.

If he succeeds, it would be a worthy legacy indeed.

While focusing on his laudable apprenticeship vision, Hickenlooper should not lose sight of the state’s transportation crisis. He has about 15 months to ensure approval and financing for an array of pressing bridge, highway and tunnel projects.

Governor, do not let “The Gap” between Monument and Castle Rock become a legacy flop that overshadows other accomplishments.

Hickenlooper’s legacy has promise. He should choose his battles with discernment, focusing on achievable and substantive objectives. Better transportation and a career-focused education program would enhance how history grades him.