In 2024, the high expenses of housing and college education have led many individuals from Generation Z, who were born between 1997 and 2012, to search for different options. In her article “How Gen Z Is Becoming the Toolbelt Generation,” Te-Ping Chen, a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, highlighted the growing enrollment in vocational-focused community colleges.
Confronted with the stark reality of living at home with their parents because of growing housing costs or accruing student loan debt in the face of limited job opportunities, students are opting for skilled trade schools or paid apprenticeships over traditional four-year colleges.
In the current job market, professions such as plumbing, welding, electrical work, and construction are experiencing a significant surge in demand. Many young people, aged 18 to 27, are rising to the occasion and embracing these opportunities. Skilled trades present a viable path that circumvents the burdensome student loan debt typically associated with higher education. These jobs can also offer a rapid trajectory towards substantial earnings, often nearing six-figure salaries.
The younger generation might find financial independence and a future where they can afford to rent or own a home by pursuing skilled trades.
Technology stands as the catalyst reshaping communication, commerce, and various industries including the skilled trades sector. It too, has undergone a technological revolution, now offering an appeal to Gen Z that almost rivals the allure of a TikTok challenge.
As they grew up with digital technology, Gen Z is seeing and welcoming the change of skilled trades. Using Robotics, 3D Printing, Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Advanced Diagnostic Tools is attracting a younger demographic intrigued with innovation.
A company called Construction Robotics has engineered a remarkable brick-laying robot called SAM, which has the impressive capability of laying up to 3,000 bricks in a single day. Trainees using Virtual Reality can engage in practical training that replicates real-life scenarios, allowing for a risk-free learning experience. The use of drones by roofers is a common practice to evaluate jobs, resulting in increased speed and precision. The use of sophisticated diagnostic tools has been reshaping the automotive repair industry for a while. As a result, traditional home garage fixes have become somewhat obsolete.
3D printing technology is altering the manufacturing landscape by facilitating the immediate production of custom parts. The advantages of being able to fabricate parts on-site are clear for municipal engineering and public works departments, as it can save both time and money.
Imagine how helpful it would be for municipal public works and engineering departments to produce parts on-site, considering the potential benefits for reducing time and money. No need to wait for XYZ Company to send a part that is out of stock. No more expensive outsourcing, just the wonder of 3D printing available to them. That could make a big difference.
While there is a clear shift towards vocational training, it is crucial to emphasize the value of essential academic skills like reading, writing, and mathematics. These skills are essential for performing tasks in skilled trades well and for keeping up with the new technologies and methods in the field.
Reading proficiency is key to comprehending technical manuals for operating machinery or programming robotic arms, specification sheets, and code books. For instance, an electrician might need to read and interpret blueprints or building plans.
The ability to write effectively is essential for documenting processes, short notes in logbooks, data entry into digital systems, effective team communication and completing incident reports. A plumber, for example, might need to write a report detailing their work and future maintenance recommendations.
Mathematical skills are essential for performing calculations using formulas. This could include basic operations with fractions, conversions, word problems, basic geometry, basic measurements, ratios, and statistics. A welder might need to calculate the precise angle needed for joining two pieces of metal. and statistics. A carpenter might need to calculate the amount of material needed for a job, which could involve measurements and conversions.
Without a solid grasp of these basic skills, the trades’ future could suffer. If the education system fails to provide students with these crucial skills, it could create a workforce that is less able to adjust as technologies advance and meet the evolving demands of the skilled trade sector, resulting in lower productivity and efficiency.
A frequent topic that political candidates and elected officials talk about is the shortage of jobs in their areas and their promise to generate more opportunities. Similarly, some universities and school board candidates also advocate for an agenda that focuses on workforce development and vocational education.
While these initiatives are commendable, there should be more concern about the decline in proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics. For workforce development to truly hit its stride, it is important that the future workforce possesses the fundamental skills necessary to meet the demand. Students should gain these fundamental academic skills to prepare them for the demands of the skilled trade sector.
As skilled trades attract more Gen Z workers, emphasis on the basic academic skills that they require should not be dismissed. To prepare for the future, the system needs to focus on educating and training the next generation of skilled trade workers, with the support of educators, school boards, and elected officials. The significance of being proficient in these core skills extends beyond just excelling at one’s job; it also involves being equipped to tackle future challenges and take advantage of potential opportunities.