Gen Z Embraces Trades as AI Reshapes the Job Market
Is society's longstanding emphasis on university education leaving young people vulnerable in an evolving job market? Larry Fink, the chair and CEO of global asset management giant BlackRock, believes so. In a recent BBC interview, Fink argued that decades of idolising office careers in finance and law have undervalued skilled trades. With artificial intelligence now threatening many junior positions, he suggests a critical rebalancing is needed, championing careers like plumbing and electrical work as robust alternatives.
The AI Impact on Graduate Employment
Technological advancement is rapidly transforming employment landscapes, a reality many graduates now face. A British Standards Institution report indicates a quarter of employers believe AI could perform all or most tasks done by entry-level workers. Furthermore, recruitment agency Randstad found 38% of companies plan to hire fewer graduates next year due to AI, with 41% of workers fearing these roles may vanish within five years.
However, Fink highlights a significant counterpoint in his annual shareholder letter: the AI boom will generate numerous new infrastructure-support roles, particularly for electricians, welders, and plumbers. "AI is going to create many jobs and we're not prepared as a society to fulfil those jobs," Fink stated, labelling this skills gap a "crisis." This raises a pivotal question for Generations Z and Alpha: should they reconsider the traditional degree path in favour of more durable vocational skills?
Parental Perspectives and Shifting Attitudes
PR director Hayley Reynolds, mother to three teenagers, actively encourages her children towards AI-resilient career paths. "If your children have a real vision of what they want to do, which requires a university degree, then they should definitely try and follow this path," she explains. "However, university is expensive and with the current cost of living, I believe there are plenty of opportunities both through apprenticeships and working in general, which can be just as beneficial." Her 17-year-old son Freddie is exploring a vocational route via a personal training course, allowing him to live at home while saving for the future.
This attitude shift appears widespread. A Barratt Redrow study revealed nearly half (48%) of teenagers view skilled trades as more aspirational than office management jobs. Draper Tools research found 61% of under-28s consider trades "cool," with 55% having a more positive perception than five years ago. Social media platforms like #TradieTok showcase day-in-the-life construction videos, and Green MP Hannah Spencer, a plumber, shared updates from her plastering course during her by-election campaign.
Personal Journeys: From Classrooms to Construction Sites
Freya, 18, bypassed A-levels for an electrical apprenticeship with training provider JTL. Now in her second year, she works Monday to Friday shadowing experienced electricians. While her friends attended university, Freya initially struggled with exhaustion but now values her choice. "I always thought, 'that's a good job that I can earn well in, and I can always do it – it's not going to get taken over by AI or whatever,'" she says. She considered mechanics but was cautioned about electric vehicles reducing traditional roles. Contrary to stereotypes, Freya prefers on-site work over remote jobs, enjoying the social interaction and hands-on learning.
Evie, 30, took a different route. After a liberal arts degree in Amsterdam, she returned to London seeking flexibility and self-employment. Dissatisfied with job interviews, she pursued a physical skill for "freedom," completing a multi-trade course in Glasgow before specialising in plastering and tiling. Her career has spanned film sets, heritage restoration, art fabrication, and domestic work. "I had no idea when I started out where it would take me," she reflects. While acknowledging AI's impact on creative industries, Evie notes the security of a practical trade: "when that work falls through, you've got a physical trade that you can rely on."
Challenges and Realities of Trade Careers
Evie cautions against oversimplifying trades as an easy option. Since training in an all-female class, she has navigated a male-dominated industry, advising women to be prepared for challenges. "I'm quite tough-skinned, but it has still been very difficult at times," she admits. She criticises media suggestions that trades are a quick fix, emphasising the long journey to competence. "It takes a really long time and it's a really big investment... you've got years after that before you start to feel really capable and competent in your job."
Despite the physical demands and training commitment, Evie sees trades as "a lifelong skill" offering versatility across sectors, making them "a lot more future-proof." As AI continues to disrupt traditional employment, the stories of Freya, Evie, and the support from figures like Larry Fink underscore a growing recognition that vocational paths may provide not only stability but also aspirational careers for the next generation.
