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A recent survey of Gen Z adults by ResumeTemplates shows that six out of ten young adults plan to work in blue-collar trades by 2026. This trend is strong even among those with college degrees or higher.
Concerns about artificial intelligence replacing office jobs are pushing many Gen Zers to consider careers in the trades. Nearly half believe blue-collar work offers better long-term job security because these roles are less likely to be automated. Others note that trade jobs cannot be moved overseas and tend to withstand economic downturns better than corporate positions.
Currently, 60% of Gen Z workers are employed in trades, compared to 39% in white-collar jobs. Among those with a college degree, more than half plan to pursue blue-collar careers. This contrasts with their high school expectations, when only 25% expected to enter the trades and 40% did not plan to.
The most popular trades include construction, electrical work, manufacturing, plumbing, and automotive repair. For 27% of respondents, job security is the main reason for choosing these careers, followed by a match with personal skills (26%) and earning potential (23%).
Experts warn that while these careers offer good pay, training, and flexibility, they can also be physically demanding and impact long-term health. As older workers retire and AI continues to affect the job market, blue-collar trades are becoming an attractive option for Gen Z seeking stable and practical work.
