As tuition costs soar and student debt mounts, more members of Generation Z are turning away from traditional four-year degrees in favor of hands-on skilled trades. Since 2011, there are roughly 2 million fewer students enrolled in four-year universities—a shift driven largely by the skyrocketing price of higher education and the promise of well-paying, debt-free careers in the trades LinkedIn.
The Rising Cost of College
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Public college tuition has jumped 140 percent in the last two decades.
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Private college costs are up 110 percent over the same period LinkedIn.
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Graduates often carry six-figure debt, delaying milestones like buying a home or starting a family.
For many young adults, a four-year degree no longer guarantees a job that pays enough to justify the expense. That gap between cost and payoff is steering Gen Z toward vocational paths that secure an income without incurring major debt.
Trades Offer a Straightforward Career Path
Vocational training programs and apprenticeships empower individuals to earn while they learn, often completing paid on-the-job training in 2–4 years. Median annual wages for many trades are competitive with, or even exceed, those of degree-required professions:
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Plumbers, pipefitters & steamfitters report a median wage around $61,100 annually Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Electricians earn similar six-figure salaries when benefits and overtime are included.
Beyond pay, trade careers commonly include:
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Apprenticeship programs with little to no tuition.
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Clear progression from helper to journeyman to master.
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High demand in every community, offering job security.
A Skills Gap—and Your Opportunity
As Baby Boomers retire, America faces a widening shortage of skilled tradespeople. One report found an average of 390,000 monthly job openings in construction in 2022, with roughly 25 percent of current workers over age 55 The New Yorker. Without new talent, projects stall and costs rise.
For employers, this presents both a challenge and a chance:
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Challenge: Filling critical roles quickly.
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Chance: Partnering with forward-thinking Gen Z candidates hungry for career stability.
How American Workforce Group Bridges the Gap
At AWG, we specialize in connecting employers with qualified trade professionals and apprentices. Our tailored services include:
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Targeted Recruitment: Pinpointing candidates whose goals align with your company’s needs.
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Apprenticeship Support: Designing paid training programs that build loyalty and skill.
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Retention Strategies: Coaching supervisors and teams to foster a culture that keeps young talent engaged.
By leveraging our expertise, you can tap into Gen Z’s enthusiasm for meaningful, hands-on work—while building a resilient workforce ready to tackle today’s projects and tomorrow’s innovations.
Ready to strengthen your skilled-trades team and capitalize on this rising talent pool?
Contact American Workforce Group today to learn how we can help you recruit, train, and retain the next generation of trades professionals.