With Tech Skills and Hands-On Innovation, Younger Generations Are Choosing Apprenticeships and Trade Careers to Build Georgia’s Workforce of the Future.

Contrary to popular belief, blue-collar jobs are not fading away— accounting for 22.7% of total employment (Esri, 2024).

With technological advancements and the introduction of automation, these technical jobs have transformed, becoming more efficient, safer, and increasingly reliant on a skilled, tech-savvy workforce. Driven by their entrepreneurial spirit and desire for innovation, Generations Z and Alpha are great candidates for these careers since they often seek practical jobs that provide immediate, tangible results.

Today, high-demand roles, such as plumbing, electrical work, and mechanics, have significantly evolved and offer an attractive option for those joining the workforce. To meet the demands of a modern workforce and fully leverage Generations Z and Alpha’s potential, on-the-job training and skill development are essential to creating a win-win solution for both the new workforce and employers.

Having spent a significant portion of their education online during the pandemic, these younger generations are incredibly tech-savvy but may struggle with social interaction. They may sometimes find it challenging to see the bigger picture or overarching goals, leading them to prefer tangible results. Hands-on, tactile jobs enable these young adults to solve practical problems and see immediate results. It falls to effective leaders to guide them in understanding how these immediate results contribute to their ultimate goals.

Misconceptions

While pursuing college is certainly an option for some, younger generations are beginning to realize that this traditional route may not be the right fit for everyone. As college enrollment has declined over previous decades (National Center for Education Statistics), Gen Z and Alpha are reassessing their career options. Though trade jobs are often viewed as poorly compensated with little growth potential, the reality is quite different. These careers in trade can often offer competitive up-front wages and greater job security.

Production occupations in Georgia are forecasted to grow by nearly 8,200 jobs over the next five years. The greatest forecasted occupation growth category is Transportation and Material Moving Occupations in Georgia, which are forecasted to grow by more than 36,100 jobs over the next five years, with laborers/material movers and truck drivers/operators showing the greatest growth.

The stigma surrounding trade schools and technical colleges may be hindering younger generations from strengthening our workforce and exercising their creativity. A common misconception is that jobs requiring a college degree are higher paying, but this perception might not always hold true. The average hourly wage for Power Distributors and Dispatchers in Georgia, a job that does not typically require a bachelor’s degree, is $62.74 per hour. Meanwhile, the average wage for Business Operations Specialists, a position typically requiring a bachelor’s degree at entry level, is $39.59 (JobsEQ, Q1 2024).

As mentioned earlier, blue-collar jobs currently account for approximately one-quarter of total employment in Georgia. Yet, a pressing question remains: where will the next wave of employees come from? As educators emphasize “Enrolled, Enlisted, or Employed” following high school, how can we support the young adults who do not fit into the Enrolled and Enlisted categories? Schools offering CTAE pathways in technical fields present a promising starting point. However, a disconnect remains between students graduating and entering the workforce in their desired roles.

Solutions

Fostering partnerships between schools and local employers could be essential to bridge this gap by hiring an outreach coordinator to create tailored programs that align education with industry needs and help guide students into rewarding blue-collar careers.

A second solution is establishing apprenticeship programs that engage the younger generation at a much earlier stage and creating apprenticeships post-graduation. By providing direct employment pathways and a streamlined onboarding process, companies can encourage young adults to explore these opportunities and foster a sense of loyalty, increasing the likelihood that they will stay with the organization long-term.

Last but certainly not least, participating in job fairs at local high schools and technical colleges is a great way to get in front of students. Additionally, local development authorities could organize industry days, offering tours of manufacturing facilities to showcase and dispel any misconceptions about what blue-collar and trade jobs are.

 As blue-collar jobs continue to account for a significant portion of employment, it is essential to address the misconceptions that hinder younger generations from exploring these careers. By promoting competitive wages, job security, and opportunities for creativity in skilled trades, we can inspire more individuals from Generation Z and Alpha to be a more informed and motivated workforce ready to embrace the future of blue-collar careers.

Bonus Pro-tip: 
Did you know that Georgia’s skilled workforce and training, competitive incentives and tax structures, transportation infrastructure and access to a variety of energy options top the list of reasons why companies around the world continue to look to the Peach State for their growth and business development needs? Most recently, Georgia topped Area Development’s Workforce Training list with its nationally recognized workforce development program, Georgia Quick Start.