Gen Z and the Trades Need Each Other
Why Gen Z wants blue-collar jobs, why they aren’t choosing them, and how we can help—featuring select data and insights from The Annual Blue-Collar Report.
Download Full ReportAmerica is battling a labor shortage and employment demands in the trades industries are especially high.
However, the stigma surrounding blue-collar work persists, with 76% of respondents saying there’s a stigma associated with going to a vocational school over a traditional four-year university—up two points from 2023.
Uncovering the sources that influence Gen Z career choices.
Jobber surveyed 1,000 U.S.-based high-school and recent post-high school-aged individuals (18-20) to find out:
- Exactly what Gen Z wants in an ideal career
- How they feel about their future and career prospects
- Why there is a gap in their understanding of trades careers
Uncover the full report findings.
These stats are select highlights from The Annual Blue-Collar Report. Get your copy and discover why Gen Z and the trades need each other.
- Browse all available data and survey results
- Insights and testimonials from young tradespeople
- 10 actions to connect Gen Z and the trades
Gen Z would be happy in blue-collar careers, they just don’t know it (yet).
When asked what would make a career in the trades more appealing, we learned that Gen Z is looking for what blue-collar professions already offer.
This is what Gen Z wants from a career—all found in the trades.
Gen Z is pessimistic about the future and their career prospects.
A staggering 70% of Gen Z say they are not optimistic about the future of the economy. The impact of AI on job security weighs heavily, but AI has the potential to be an accelerator for success in the trades rather than a disruptive force.
The “American Dream” isn’t dead, it just needs a blue-collar rebrand
Data shows us that Gen Z feels the American Dream, a belief that anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances of birth, can achieve prosperity and success through hard work, determination, and initiative, has become disrupted by the rapid advancement of AI.
Four-in-10 of Gen Z agree that the potential for AI to replace jobs has made it harder to achieve The American Dream.
AI can’t replace your plumber
In the face of advancing AI technology, Gen Z no longer equates a white-collar profession with job security, so they’re primed to receive more information about the job security and financial opportunities the trades offer. AI won’t replace the need for human hands to build and maintain the built world around us anytime soon.
53% of Gen Z are concerned about AI replacing white-collar desk jobs
There’s more to the story.
Discover what else is on Gen Z’s mind, how the trades can help, and what actions you can take.
- Browse all available data and survey results
- Insights and testimonials from young tradespeople
- 10 actions to connect Gen Z and the trades
Gen Z is being let down by their biggest career influences.
Gen Z is a generation of doers, so, unsurprisingly, nearly two-thirds (59%) of young adults between the ages of 18-20 have already decided on a career. But their decisions are influenced heavily by surrounding factors.
Schools are leaving students in the dark
In stark contrast, the majority of Gen Z feels they understand the benefits of a four-year bachelor’s degree (66%) and community college (55%), followed by military service (33%), and entrepreneurship (30%).
Only 17% of Gen Z have been educated on the benefits of vocational training during high school.
Hollywood is Doing Hard Work Dirty
The perception of success disparity between white-collar and blue-collar jobs in media may contribute to the perceived hierarchy of professions and influence career decision-making among young adults.