3 in 4 Gen Zers are interested in vocational training as uncertainty and AI shape the minds of the next ‘toolbelt generation’

Some may find it difficult to understand or relate to, but it is increasingly clear that Generation Z is a generation of doers. They take action and want to make decisions. So it is not surprising that many young people are attracted to entrepreneurship.

According to the first edition Blue Collar Jobber Reportwhere we surveyed 1,000 18- to 20-year-olds in the US, nearly two-thirds (63%) said they wanted to start their own business at some point in their lives – and 11% already do.

This is great news. Small businesses are the engine of our economy. But what business should they start? The glaringly obvious answer lies in the deals.

Case for the letter

We've also spoken to thousands of home service business owners — and finding reliable labor is a challenge every one of them faces. If you've tried calling a plumber, an HVAC technician, or any number of tradesmen to do work on your home, you've likely experienced labor shortages firsthand.

Homes and other infrastructure are becoming outdated. Today, the average age of an owner-occupied home in the United States is 40 years, meaning there is an increasing need for repair, maintenance, and remodeling of aging housing stock.

At the same time, skilled workers are retiring, and there are not enough young people coming into the trades to replace them. Experts expect there to be 73,500 job opportunities every year For electricians only until 2032. This results in delayed service and increased costs for consumers.

Answer the call to blue collar work

The labor shortage is a huge problem but it also represents a huge opportunity for ambitious young people to come in and fill the gap. Fortunately, we are seeing Generation Z showing interest in seizing this opportunity.

Three-quarters (75%) of survey respondents say they are interested in exploring vocational schools that offer paid on-the-job training. They are worried about repaying loans and want to start building their career without falling into debt. They are also looking for stable work. Participants identified job security as one of the most important factors for choosing a career. They are keenly aware of developments in technology and artificial intelligence and are concerned about pursuing jobs that could be disrupted by automation in the coming years, many of them in white-collar industries.

This trend is gaining momentum, and the number of students enrolled in community vocational colleges is increasing. Enrollment rose 16% last year to its highest level since 2008 National Student Clearinghouse I started tracking this data in 2018. But that's not enough to close the gap.

What's holding Generation Z back?

There is still a stigma associated with trade careers and society continues to emphasize that traditional college degrees are the only path to success. 74% of respondents believe there is a stigma associated with going to a vocational school compared to a traditional four-year university, and 79% say their parents want them to pursue a college education after high school, while only 5% say the same about a vocational school.

Another hurdle is that Generation Z underestimates the potential for profit from deals. The majority of survey respondents believe it is not possible to make seven-figure revenues in tree care, lawn care, or plumbing. However, our data of over 200,000 service professionals reveals that it's not just construction companies that can generate significant profits. More than 50% of tree care, lawn care, and plumbing businesses earn at least $1 million each year.

Chase Gallagher owns one of these companies. Chase started his lawn and landscape business, CMG Landscaping, when he was just 13 years old. In the time it took his peers to graduate from college, he built his company into a multi-million dollar enterprise as he pursues his dream. His story is just one of many like it.

It's time for the next generation tool belt

To address the shortage of craft workers and engage more young people, we can start by investing in the entrepreneurial and financial opportunities that crafts provide and promoting them through media, social media and across our communities. Parents, influencers and educators should encourage young people to explore more diverse career options and view the trades as a lucrative and fulfilling career. Early career programs need to be promoted, alongside traditional colleges.

We need to support companies that want to provide training and apprenticeship opportunities. In addition to pushing for more government funding in this area, if you know of a company that offers job training or mentors youth in your community, consider them first next time you need to get some work done.

We can do a lot to reverse the stigma associated with trading. Sharing stories like Chase's helps, but it can also be as simple as showing respect to these workers and thanking them for all they do. We need to recognize and appreciate the essential work that trading professionals do. Together, these actions can open tremendous opportunity for the next generation, small businesses, and the economy.

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