What We’re Getting Wrong About Gen Z’s Future in the Skilled Trades

The skilled trades are becoming increasingly multigenerational, challenging traditional learning and development opportunities for leaders across the industry. In the first quarter of 2024, Gen Z made up 18 percent of the U.S. workforce, but 18- to 25-year-olds made up nearly 25 percent of all 2024 new hires in skilled trade industries. Furthermore, 47 percent of parents say their children have expressed an interest in pursuing a career in the trades, suggesting a potential Gen Z influx in the coming years.

As organizations look to recruit new workers to the trades, however, they must remain competitive and understand what Gen Z is looking for in a work environment. As the digital-native generation, technology plays a central role in their daily lives, and they expect technology to continue to shape their careers as they enter the workforce. Skilled trades leaders looking to attract and retain Gen Z workers, then, need to meet them where they are by embracing technology throughout the training process, rather than forcing conformity with outdated practices.

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