High non-completion rates have left nearly 37 million U.S. adults without a degree. Of those who do graduate, only white students with bachelor’s degrees continue to see a college wealth premium. This combination of trends makes college a risky proposition for many prospective students. Non-degree credentials that offer affordable pathways to “middle-skill” jobs are a popular alternative. An apprenticeship for public transit bus drivers illustrates both the benefits of such pathways for students and the challenges of connecting certificates to degree programs. The public dimensions of public transit work illustrate an underappreciated feature of many middle-skill jobs: they support essential public services. One way of linking certificates to degrees is by deepening the public service aspects of trades education so that it meets civic learning objectives.