A growing number of Gen Zers are planning to pursue traditional blue-collar jobs in trades like welding, plumbing and electrical work as young adults lose confidence in the value of a college degree, according to a new study.
About 23% of Americans who are not currently working in the business sector say they plan to move into blue-collar work – but that percentage rises to 50% for members of Gen Z, who Born between 1997 and 2012. the study The Harris Poll was conducted by Intuit Credit Karma.
The survey of 2,091 people ages 18 and older found that Gen Z is becoming the “toolbelt generation” due to changing attitudes and the rising cost of a college education.
“As the promise of a four-year degree remains unfulfilled, and the cost of obtaining a college degree continues to rise, young Americans are turning to blue-collar jobs again,” said Courtney Alew, consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma. ” statement.
About 77% of respondents said this belief is “outdated” College degree This is essential to a successful career, and only half of said college is worth the investment.
The study found that about 23% of Gen Z view business jobs more positively than corporate jobs.
According to the study, 78% of Americans say they have seen a recent increase in young adults’ interest in business careers.
According to Gusto data shared with CNBC Make It, skilled trade occupations such as electricians, plumbers and mechanics have seen an increase in the number of Gen Z workers joining these fields.
“It’s refreshing to see young adults taking notice and interest in these areas of work, especially considering how challenging it is for new graduates to find white-collar jobs,” Alev said.
This change comes as young adults face competitive job markets and prioritize job security.
The study found that with the rise of AI, 66% of Americans believe business professionals have more job security than their corporate counterparts.
Trade jobs are also generally a more affordable path, which may be attractive to young students facing skyrocketing tuition costs.
Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, who leads the nonprofit Jewish Vocational Service and provides career training, told NPR in April, “People are really looking for a path to the middle class and a path to a cushy office job.” As such, college education has been given priority.”
“Over the last 10 to 15 years, we are seeing a trend of young people dropping out of universities,” he said. “Heavy college debt is becoming a barrier in itself.”
According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of college in the United States has more than doubled over the past 24 years to $38,270 per student per year.
That high price tag may act as a barrier — but skilled trades can help “level the playing field,” especially for people of color and less-privileged backgrounds, says job training platform. said Nitzan Pelman, founder of Climb Hire.
Pelman told NPR that wage growth in fields like welding, plumbing and machine tooling is making trade jobs even more attractive.
“There are a lot of professional jobs out there that are quite lucrative – HVAC repair and installation, electricians, solar panel installers – there is a lot of demand for wind turbine installers who, in many cases, earn more than $100,000 a year – so there is a There is a lot of demand for physical labor,” Pellman said.
