Generation Z, the first cohort to grow up entirely in the digital era, is reshaping the job market in unexpected ways. Known for their digital fluency, Zoomers are increasingly drawn to blue-collar trades that involve hands-on work. From plumbing and welding to electrical wiring, over half of Gen Z finds specialized trades appealing. According to Thumbtack's *Future of the Skilled Trades Report*, the rising visibility of blue-collar work on social media has significantly influenced their career aspirations.
With soaring student loan debt, the looming threat of AI, and widespread distrust in corporate environments, it’s no surprise that Gen Z is gravitating toward trades. Courtney Alev, a consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma, notes that the social pressure to pursue a four-year degree is waning. In fact, Credit Karma’s 2024 survey reveals that 54% of individuals with student loans regret taking on debt for a degree, and half of Americans now question the assumption that a four-year college degree guarantees a higher return on investment than trade school. As a result, nearly a third of Gen Z workers in corporate jobs are considering vocational training.
### The Role of Social Media
Social media is playing a pivotal role in this shift. Nearly 80% of Gen Z respondents in Thumbtack’s survey reported increased exposure to skilled trades on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. For Gen Z women, social media ranks as the top career influence, even surpassing parental guidance. This trend is reflected in the fact that 52% of Gen Z women now express interest in trades, nearly matching the 57% of Gen Z men who feel the same.
The hashtag #bluecollarbabe, with over 124,000 posts on TikTok, showcases young women thriving in trades. Popular creators like Australian welder Melissa Martini (@TheWelderPrincess), Washington-based trucker Bethany Lipska (@SouthernSugar33), and New York electrician Lexis Czumak-Abreu (@LexTheElectrician) are inspiring a new generation. As Czumak-Abreu puts it, “Without [trade] jobs, your heat wouldn’t come on, your lights wouldn’t come on, you couldn’t drive down the road.”
### Job Security and Modern Challenges
Dubbed the “toolbelt generation” by the *Wall Street Journal*, Gen Z values the job security offered by trades like plumbing, which are resistant to automation and AI. Additionally, many are drawn to the exciting challenges in clean energy sectors such as solar and geothermal, which demand highly specialized skills.
However, despite the growing enthusiasm for blue-collar work, there’s a significant gap in real-life training opportunities. Only 41% of Thumbtack’s respondents reported access to trade programs in school. The worker shortage crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic’s “Great Reshuffle,” has also impacted trades, leaving hiring managers struggling to fill roles.
### Bridging the Gap
A 2023 Thumbtack survey found that 85% of respondents believe high schools should do more to promote alternative career paths like trade schools and apprenticeships. In the meantime, some trades professionals are taking matters into their own hands. In Pleasantville, Ohio, Gavin Alexander is launching the Trades for Life Foundation, an annual scholarship program aimed at helping students in his county pursue vocational training.
Alexander, a 30-year-old farmer and Ohio State University graduate, was inspired after organizing a one-off technical trade scholarship competition during the pandemic. The overwhelming response—nine students applied for diverse trades like carpentry and equine dentistry—convinced him of the need for such initiatives. One winner, who graduated from a top welding school, is now working on a welding rig. “At the time, nobody was really doing anything to promote or help kids who aren’t going for a four-year degree,” Alexander says. “When you think about it, those careers are the backbone of the community.”
### Redefining a “Good Job”
Alexander’s efforts have gained momentum, with a successful rodeo fundraiser putting Trades for Life back on track for 2025. At the event, he engaged high school students in conversations about what constitutes a “good job.” While many initially responded with “whatever makes the most money,” Alexander encouraged them to think deeper. Does a good job mean working for a family-oriented company? Spending time outdoors? Or is it simply about earning more?
“A lot of kids, once they sit and think about it, say, ‘No one’s ever asked me that,’” Alexander observes. “No one’s ever asked them, ‘What’s a good job for you?’” By sparking these conversations, Alexander and others like him are helping Gen Z redefine success and find fulfillment in careers that align with their values and aspirations.