Most individuals who have graduated from high school in recent years can relate to a particular visit to the guidance counselor’s office. During this visit, you sat across from a counselor in a small room plastered with motivational quotes. “What colleges are you interested in?” and “What do you plan on majoring in?” are the same two questions asked by every adult in your life.
What if these two questions are no longer cutting it for students?
The truth is there is no longer one pathway to success in the American system. The traditional pathway may no longer be as prosperous as it once was. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Generation Z is graduating high school at higher rates than previous generations. In 2022, 87% of high-school students earned their diploma, compared to 80% a decade earlier. But, unlike previous generations, these graduates are also more aware of ever-increasing four-year college degree costs, the impact of college loans after graduation and the potential challenges of finding good-paying jobs.
Opportunities afforded by technical programs are expanding career options beyond the typical white-collar or blue-collar jobs, birthing a new category: the “skilled-collar.” Specifically, STEM fields that require education and certification, not two- or four-year degrees, are experiencing employment demand. These include industries like wind energy, robotics, HVACR, welding and industrial maintenance, as well as automotive, EV and diesel mechanics.
What jobs are in demand through 2032?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the national annual average job openings between 2022 and 2032 for these industries are significant:
- Automotive service technicians and mechanics: 67,000+
- Aviation technicians: 10,000+
- Bus and truck mechanics: 24,000+
- Energy technicians: 39,000+
- HVACR technicians: 37,000+
- Electric-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians: 1,000+
- Welding technicians: 42,000+
- Non-destructive testing technician: 7,000+
Teachers can help bridge this exposure gap by periodically talking with parents in grades 9 and 10 about career options for students and sharing specific information on the variety of pathways available in the trades. Even earlier, in middle school, educators can have conversations with parents and families about students’ interests and how those can connect to skilled trades enrichment opportunities such as trips, competitions or summer programs. Due to a lack of discussions between counselors, parents and high-school students about potential careers in skilled trades, students often miss out on critical awareness. The 2023 Post-Graduation Readiness Report by YouScience highlights this gap, revealing that 30% of high school graduates were unaware of the extensive range of career opportunities available in these fields. Furthermore, many students remain unaware of the potential for entrepreneurship within the skilled trades, which can offer rewarding and lucrative career paths.
What questions should we be asking instead?
In my role at Universal Technical Institute, I have interacted with parents, teachers and counselors who are beginning to integrate these crucial conversations into student interactions. This shift is especially significant as it differs from the traditional education and career paths many educators and parents may have taken themselves. Instead, they are pivoting to ask students not about what college they want to attend and what bachelor’s degree they are interested in, but instead are asking questions like:
- What do you really like doing?
- Do you want to work in emerging STEM jobs?
- Do you like working with your hands?
- Do you want to be outside or in a more technical setting versus being behind a desk?
- What are you interested in learning about and applying every day at work?
Parents, teachers and counselors can help students discover fulfilling careers that align with their passions and aptitudes by fostering conversations that explore interests beyond traditional academic paths.
As we look forward to 2025, the skilled trades will continue to evolve rapidly with the integration of advanced technology, drawing in a new generation of Gen Z talent who value both hands-on work and digital skills. Trades such as automotive, HVACR and welding increasingly leverage high-tech tools, like robotics, redefining what it means to work in these skilled-collar careers. For young people who grew up with technology, this modernization adds appeal, blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation.
It’s time to embrace change and redefine the American Dream. By championing technical education and skilled trades, we can empower a new generation of workers, bridge the skills gap, and drive economic growth.
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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