GENEDGE’s Post

Social media promoting “blue collar” jobs to Gen Z is exactly what is needed to help eliminate the stigma surrounding these trades. A common theme is that construction is limited to a certain segment of society that couldn’t cut it as investment bankers or lawyers. Scroll LinkedIn and you will see these jobs are not glamorized as a pathway to success like others. Well, you’re WRONG! The demand for skilled-trades is higher than ever. Training from vocational schools is cheaper than 4-yr colleges so graduates have less debt and can build businesses/wealth faster. Furthermore, I would argue that A.I. will eliminate “white-collar” jobs way before it starts to affect the construction industry. No structure is the same. My viewpoint on this topic comes from a unique understanding of white and blue collar jobs. Over the past two decades, I have been exposed to both types of jobs working as a lawyer and real estate developer (Me=ADHD!). My advice to high schoolers/twenty-somethings: be a plumber, electrician, carpenter, etc. You will earn a great income and be set for life. A common complaint I hear from contractors is that there are not enough young people getting into the trades. I have walked numerous job sites and found this to be true. As a result, less competition means the cost for these services is higher which is passed along to the consumer. Let’s encourage NOT discourage young people to get into “blue-collar” jobs. To prosper as a society, we have to keep building and repairing. Without these folks our growth stops; we need them! #construction #bluecollar #plumbing #electric #hvac #roofing #carpentry #success #socialmedia The Wall Street Journal Construction Reach mikeroweWORKS Foundation mikeroweWORKS

The skilled trades are about to get a serious upgrade! Over the past two decades, we've seen a remarkable transformation in the image of the tradesperson—from a dated stereotype to tech-savvy professionals. Now, get ready for the next generation to take things to a whole new level. Gen Z is embracing blue-collar careers like plumbing and construction, using social media to showcase their work, challenge stereotypes, and attract new talent. This shift is driven by factors like good pay, job security, and a desire for tangible work. With innovative tools and technologies at their fingertips, the future of skilled labor is looking brighter than ever. The skilled trades are becoming "cool" again, defying traditional notions of career success. Exciting times ahead! Check out this article on The Wall Street Journal to learn more! #skilledtrades #bluecollarcool #workwithyourhandz #nextgeneration #innovation #genz #skilledrecruitmentforskilledtrades #recruiting

The construction industry has faced a serious talent attraction challenge for several decades. Even though, those of us familiar with the industry know, the work is fulfilling, challenging, and lucrative for those looking to build a career. Not everyone wants to work behind a desk all day, and these jobs rarely involve that. It's great to see #GenZ on social media working to showcase the options available in construction and other blue-collar jobs. I'm also excited at the prospect to see social media help diversify the talent pool as well! Check out the article for more #Construction #BlueCollarJobs #constructionhr

Construction is Tech Tech is Construction Seperating the two today is an impossibility- from tools, equipment, design, systems, smart facilities, networks and more there is tech at every level of todays construction!

This is a great article about the underappreciated sector of #BlueCollar jobs. About 15 years ago, I drafted a proposal for a local School District that I called GPA - Green Professionals Academy. It highlighted things like plumbing, autoshop, construction, and other areas as being ripe for vocational training and deeper student engagement for those who might not wish to pursue a traditional four-year degree. One of the biggest problems with "No Child Left Behind" is that it focused on college attainment (specifically attaining a 4-yr degree) thus leaving approx 78% of the students behind. It's nice to see #GenZ bucking this trend. Also, the trades will be the least disrupted by AI. https://lnkd.in/gv8qpUrq

Blowing. Up. Stereotypes. The reality of the construction trades hits social media strong to fuel the next generation growth. Gen Z's embrace of the construction trades is essential to the innovation needed for the industry. BuildwithIMPACT.com https://lnkd.in/gWHdtWbY

I thought this article was really interesting. When I was with FindWRK, I spent a lot of time thinking about the labour market and labour shortages in particular. Interesting that influencers in the skilled trades are finding such large followings. Probably in part because their day to day work feels foreign to so many that sit at a desk all day. For those interested in some of these dynamics, read "Shop Class As Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work". It explores the value of manual labour in a modern, technology-driven society. The author - Matthew B. Crawford - looks at the ways in which people get value from and stay connected to their work. He argues that ownership over specific outputs, with tangible achievements along the way makes for a much more engaging experience. And he goes further to draw comparisons between the repetitiveness of many white-collar office jobs and the nature of manual labour jobs. Satisfaction among those doing manual work is higher because those sitting at keyboards have lost a connection to the final outcome of their work. Gen Z is starting to catch on. With higher pay and new technologies, more young people are choosing trades over office roles. According to the WSJ, enrollment in vocational-focused community colleges rose by 16% last year, with a 23% increase in students pursuing construction trades. Thoughts? Book and MSN article (ungated) linked in comments.

Some 2.2 million people on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook watch Lexis Czumak-Abreu do her electrician work. Maybe you’re one of them. Did you see her atop a bucket truck, working on power poles? Or stripping cables in a ditch? Since she began posting videos, she’s gotten thousands of messages from viewers saying she’s sparked their interest in trade work. Czumak-Abreu’s path is one that more young Americans are considering, Te-Ping Chen reports. Skepticism about the cost and value of four-year degrees is growing, and enrollment in vocational programs has risen as young people pursue well-paying jobs that don’t require desks or so much debt, and come with the potential to be your own boss. The number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges rose 16% last year to its highest level since the National Student Clearinghouse began tracking such data in 2018. On TikTok, the hashtag #bluecollar drew 500k posts in the first four months of this year, up 64% over the same period in 2023. Posts hashtagged #electrician increased 77% over the same time, with #constructionworker and #mechanic posting similar jumps, TikTok says. Many posts tout the wages blue-collar workers can make. Pay for new hires in construction now outstrips pay for new hires in professional services like accounting, according to ADP data. Skilled-trade influencers say they’re also trying to combat decades of stereotypes in which practitioners were seen as grease monkeys or stuck in low-end careers. See how young workers are making trade jobs cool: https://lnkd.in/etHHSQcY

One of the hardest jobs to automate will be in the construction trades. You can even use that expertise to become a successful content creator, and monetize your audience by showcasing your construction expertise. Both skilled trades and healthcare offer great outlooks for job security and growth in the coming years. #Jobs #Careers #FutureofJobs #AI

Having options is everything. And, increasingly, more young adults are turning to the trades for career options. Yes, it helps that social media influencers are making it cool, as this piece points out. But never lose sight of what a union career provides: 🚀 Better pay and benefits. Not just a living wage, but a ticket to a better life. 🚀 ZERO student loans from college. 🚀 Job security. 🚀 Better, safer working conditions. 🚀 Earning while you learn as an apprentice. 🚀 Being part of the union community, where someone always has your back. 🚀 Work-life balance. 🚀 Continuous training, learning and skills development. Read about "#BlueCollarCool" and be sure to share with someone who's looking for their perfect fit!