Weekly Wisdom | The Trades RIse
Retooling For The American Economy
One of the Trump administration's biggest priorities is preparing the workforce for upcoming jobs in AI-related fields and producing more skilled tradesmen capable of building the future. With the rise of AI, the absurd cost of college, and the current opportunities for tradesmen, many in Gen Z are opting out of a traditional 4-year degree and are instead pursuing trade school. This is a welcome and healthy development.
Exploring the future of the trades:
The housing shortage (7 million houses needed today), coupled with the rapid expansion of AI data centers, will require an additional 2.6 million (minimum) construction workers by 2030.
In collaboration with the etA (electrical training ALLIANCE) and other nonprofits, Google is pledging millions of dollars to assist with training 100,000 electrical workers and 30,000 new apprentices over the next 5 years.
Compared with 4-year degree holders, trade school graduates, on average, graduate with little debt, start work 2-3 years earlier, have better current and future job prospects, and earn a comparable starting annual salary. And graduates of apprenticeships actually start out earning more than college graduates ($80k vs $69k).
The skilled trades have less automation risk and have an aging workforce that needs to be replaced (25% of workers are over 55). As a result, the skilled trades have higher job security than a standard job.
The Big, Beautiful Bill expands Pell Grants to include trade schools, reducing the barrier to entry for many aspiring tradesmen.
The AI and energy boom, coupled with the dire need for more housing, means skilled tradesmen will remain in demand. Thankfully, the Trump administration is supporting this needed transition in the economy by imposing tariffs, deporting illegal aliens, and providing overall support for the skilled trades workforce, as outlined in America’s Talent Strategy: Building The Workforce For The Golden Age. The foundation of a new economic era in the United States is being underwritten partially by a new, skilled workforce that’s ready to build! And we will all be better off because of it!
