As the holiday season brings families and communities together, these moments are a good time to reflect on future aspirations, including career paths. The skilled trades, a vital but often overlooked sector, deserve a prominent place in these discussions on your holiday tables this year.
The economic engine of our society is traditionally reminiscent of industries such as health care, technology, and finance. However, we often pay little attention to an equally important driver: the skilled craft of construction. From plumbers to electricians, these professionals are the unsung heroes who ensure our homes, entertainment spaces, and workplaces are functional and safe.
Unfortunately, the language often used to depict these professions often undermines their value in our daily lives. I’m sure I’ll be stepping on my toes, but terms like “blue collar” and “manual labor” can sometimes be off-putting to young job seekers when contrasted with “white collar” occupations. Although it seems harmless to older workers, this outdated lexicon creates a stigma that can prevent young people from pursuing these vital and rewarding careers.
The numbers game: lack of skilled trades
Our nation faces a difficult reality: a significant shortage of skilled construction trades. Of every five baby boomers retiring, only two younger workers hold their positions. This disparity is due in part to a long-standing bias that has made college degrees the only measure of future success. Consequently, younger generations are less inclined to enter skilled trade occupations, leaving employers struggling to find qualified professionals.
As we navigate the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the need for new skills has become clear, with 58% of the workforce requiring updated competencies to meet job demands. The evolution towards automation and digital transformation in manufacturing only exacerbates this skills gap.
The current labor participation rate is 62%, leaving the remaining 38% of eligible workers underutilized. This means more than 7 million healthy people in the prime of their lives who have fallen out of the labor market. One solution to the problem of the shortage of skilled trades may lie in mobilizing this inactive and frustrated segment.
Crafting a new narrative
To change perceptions, we would do well to start recalibrating our language to make careers in skilled trades more attractive to the incoming workforce. A young person should not be dissuaded from pursuing a career in the trades, thinking that it is somehow “lesser” than the traditional four-year college path. Equally important, parents may encourage their children to explore these rewarding paths if we detach them from their lingering misconceptions. Instead, we should highlight the exciting opportunities and fulfilling futures that these careers offer those who choose and pursue them.
Frankly, our nation needs skilled tradespeople. With aging infrastructure and ongoing construction and development, there is a constant demand for construction workers, including electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, carpenters, welders, and mechanics. As technology evolves, so do these deals. Many of today’s jobs in this sector require sophisticated technical knowledge, high-level accuracy, and advanced problem-solving skills. Painting the entire industry with a broad brush of “blue collar” and “manual labor” obscures this reality, especially in the eyes of young people, who may be exploring their career options or thinking about their futures more intently during holiday gatherings and family discussions. .
Skilled trades offer a plethora of benefits. They often come with shorter, more realistic educational paths and involve little to no student debt. Due to the constant demand for many of these professions, job security is usually higher. Additionally, these jobs provide a tangible sense of accomplishment that many jobs do not provide. Seeing a building go up, restoring power to a neighborhood, and fixing a family’s heating system during a cold winter night all convey a sense of worth and personal accomplishment that is rarely matched. In addition to offering salaries equal to or even more than typical jobs that require a 4-year college degree, the income potential is enormous for those who choose to start their own business.
So, how do we change the narrative? The first step is to consciously choose our words as holiday conversations move toward the future. Schools, counselors and the media can take the lead by using terminology that raises the bar rather than lowers it. Instead of suggesting “vocational schools,” let us offer such optional paths of learning as “vocational preparation academies,” “skilled trades training programs,” and “paid apprenticeships.” Reframing these post-graduation options may go a long way toward directing younger audiences to these comprehensive educational and training opportunities that lead to sustainable, high-demand careers.
Educational institutions can also play a crucial role. By strengthening partnerships with companies in skilled trades, schools can provide students with practical experiences that make the learning process more engaging and relevant. Such collaboration can create pathways leading to post-graduation employment, ensuring a smooth transition from school to work.
Skilled craftsmen are invaluable contributors to our society, and it is time to give them the respect and appreciation they deserve. It starts with the words we choose and the narratives we create. By redefining our terminology and fostering a culture of success, we can elevate an entire industry that will thrive for generations to come!
Language has always played a pivotal role in shaping the world around us, and the skilled trades industry is no exception. The words we use to describe and discuss skilled trades can have a profound impact on public perception, career opportunities, and overall industry growth. By redefining our language and changing the way we talk about skilled trades, we have the power to challenge stereotypes, inspire a new generation of workers, and ultimately shape the future of the industry. In this article, we will explore the power of words to shape the skilled trades industry and discuss the importance of redefining language to better reflect the value and impact of these essential professions.