Gen Z shifts to Trades among AI fears

As AI continues to disrupt traditional office careers, many Gen Z individuals are turning to skilled trades like plumbing and electrical work. Drawn by job stability, practical skills, and a sense of purpose, this generation is redefining success. Their choice reflects a growing disillusionment with corporate careers and a desire for more grounded, future-proof professions.

A Resume Builder survey reveals that 42% of Gen Z adults (ages 18-28) are pursuing or working in skilled trade jobs like plumbing and welding, with 37% of those holding bachelor’s degrees. Driven by fears of AI displacing white-collar roles and dissatisfaction with corporate wages, 25% of respondents see trades as less vulnerable to automation, while 33% believe they offer better long-term prospects. Rising college costs, averaging $38,270 annually, and student debt concerns further push Zoomers toward trades, which promise stable income without loans. For instance, a 19-year-old Ford plant worker earns $24/hour debt-free. The Wall Street Journal dubbed Gen Z “the toolbelt generation,” reflecting a cultural shift as vocational training enrollment surges 16%. However, a Pew Research study suggests many view blue-collar work as temporary, with 65% of young workers seeing it as “just a job.”

Additional Source: The Economic Times, “Is the AI takeover driving Gen Z back to traditional jobs amid uncertainty in white-collar careers?” (May 24, 2025).