Even as concern around white-collar jobs grows
due to AI and economic uncertainties, Jobber's report reveals
hesitancy among Gen Zs to pursue trades careers
TORONTO, July 29,
2024 /PRNewswire/ - Jobber, the leading provider of
home service software, today released The Annual Blue-Collar
Report: Gen Z and the Trades Need Each Other. The report, based on
survey responses from 1,000 students in the U.S. aged 18-20,
provides insight into how Gen Z navigates education and career
choices, as well as offers solutions on how to inspire and
encourage younger generations to consider taking advantage of all
that blue-collar careers have to offer.
According to The Annual Blue-Collar Report, 76% of Gen Zs agree
there is a stigma associated with going to vocational school over a
traditional four-year university. This reality threatens our homes,
economy, and the livelihoods of younger generations.
"If you own a home, you have a problem," warns Sam Pillar, CEO and co-founder of Jobber. "While
there is some renewed interest among the younger generation to
pursue blue-collar careers, there's still far too much work
homeowners need done, and not enough workers to do it. We need to
do a better job showing Gen Z how incredible the opportunities in
the trades are, and encouraging them to consider that path."
The U.S. housing stock is aging rapidly, with the median age of
homes reaching 40 years. This is a critical problem as the U.S. is
experiencing a labor shortage across most industries as labor force
participation declines and the workforce ages and retires. In
addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that
employment demands in trade industries are often greater than or
pacing the 3% average of all occupations, representing not just a
gap, but a growing chasm.
Key findings from the report provide deeper insights into why
Gen Z is not pursuing blue-collar careers and how society can
encourage younger generations to consider them. Despite the growing
stigma and misconceptions that Gen Z has, The Annual Blue-Collar
Report clearly shows that they actually do want blue-collar
careers, and just don't know it yet.
The "American Dream" needs a blue-collar rebrand
Gen Z has been taught to measure success through a white-collar
lens, but AI, the economy, and layoffs are changing their minds.
Their concerns around white-collar careers are clear.
- One-third (33%) of Gen Z say that white-collar desk jobs are
less stable today than they were for their parents'
generation.
- 41% of Gen Z agree that the potential for AI to replace jobs
has made it harder to achieve the "American Dream" and 46% believe
there will be fewer future job opportunities as a result.
- 70% of Gen Z say they are not optimistic about the future of
the economy.
- When asked what would make a trade career more appealing, Gen Z
described what blue-collar professions already offer, including
flexible work hours (73%), job stability (61%), and overtime pay
(58%).
Gen Z's biggest career influences are letting them
down
Parents have blue-collar blindness, schools deserve a failing
grade for blue-collar education, and Hollywood is doing hard work dirty.
- Family (51%) was identified as the biggest influence on Gen Z
and the careers they chose to pursue by a significant margin.
- 61% of Gen Z say their parents haven't spoken to them about
vocational school or told them not to consider it.
- Just 17% of Gen Z say they have been educated on the benefits
of vocational training following high school graduation. This was
significantly lower than bachelor's degree, community college,
military service, and entrepreneurship.
- More than a third (35%) of Gen Z say television shows and
movies have influenced the careers they want to explore and 47%
describe trade professionals as being generally portrayed
negatively (incompetent, unhealthy, and/or unhappy) in shows and
movies.
We simply need more women in the trades
While many workforces have evolved to accommodate the modern
gender distribution of labor, the trades have yet to establish this
balance.
- Nearly half (48%) of Gen Z agree that women are discouraged
from pursuing trade careers from a young age.
- 58% of Gen Z say that women face more discrimination
within trade careers—compared to other career options—with the
majority of women (68%) believing this compared to men (47%).
In addition to survey data and insights, The Annual Blue-Collar
Report offers testimonials from people like 27-year-old commercial
and residential electrician, Lexis Czumak-Abreu, who attests to the
benefits of blue-collar work: "I studied pre-med in school,
intending to become a surgeon but decided to become an electrician
instead. Many people in my family are electricians, including my
dad. The salary is great, the hours are stable, and the work is
very gratifying!"
Finally, The Annual Blue-Collar Report highlights 10 specific
calls to action for the general public, blue-collar professionals,
policymakers and educators, and the media to help connect the dots
between Gen Z's fears and desires and the blue-collar opportunity
in front of them, as well as eliminate the existing harmful
stereotypes.
To access The Annual Blue-Collar Report Powered by Jobber, visit
jobber.com/blue-collar.
Report Methodology
The 2024 Annual Blue-Collar Report
Powered By Jobber features findings from an April 2024 survey commissioned by Jobber and
conducted by Conjointly of 1,000 students in the U.S. aged 18-20
currently attending or considering attending college / graduate
school, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage
points at the 90% confidence level.
About Jobber
Jobber is an award-winning software for
small home service businesses. Unlike spreadsheets or pen and
paper, Jobber keeps track of everything in one place and automates
day-to-day operations, so small businesses can run smoothly and
provide five-star service at scale. Jobber is used by more than
200,000 home service professionals to serve over 27 million
properties in more than 60 countries. The company continually ranks
as one of Canada's fastest-growing
and most innovative companies by Canadian Business and Macleans,
The Globe and Mail, Fast Company, and Deloitte. For more
information visit: https://jobber.com/.
Media contacts
Travis Van Horn
PAN Communications for Jobber
jobber@pancomm.com
+1 202-840-2286
Elana Ziluk
Senior Public Relations Manager, Jobber
elana.z@getjobber.com
+1 416-317-2633
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SOURCE Jobber