Performance CXO’s Post

Gen Z is tearing down the stereotypes that have been built around a career in the trades. More and more, we are seeing this generation recognize that a four-year degree isn't the only option, and there is more than one path to success and happiness in your career. These are the shifts the industry needs to help address the skilled trades gap. It's inspiring to hear first hand from young tradesmen and women the positive impact that a career in the trades is already having on their lives. Read the full The Wall Street Journal article here: https://lnkd.in/ggAHG27q

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

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!

So, I know we have a lot of influencers in #aviation like Erika Armstrong Shaesta Waiz talking about becoming a #pilot. But what about the rest of the #careers. This article shows how young people are ellevating #bluecollar careers using #socialmedia and teaching young women about careers in male-dominating fields. It's not surprising videos like this are popular given the popularity of Dirty Jobs and This Old House. #aviation and #aerospace are always complaining how tough it is to interest youngsters in our careers. I'm sure they have videos talking about pilots and #aviationmaintenancetechnicians. But what about #flightdispatch #airtrafficcontrol, #manufacturing? I get that manufacturing may be tough owing to #security but we see #plumbing #welding #electricians in this article -- all of which are needed in our industry. "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. “We’ve made it more appealing. We have nice vehicles. We own homes, we are successful,” says Matt Panella, 27, a carpenter who drives a Tesla “Kids aren’t going to job sites saying, hey, man, can you hire me? They’re getting to know it on social media, giving them the idea that this is a legit possibility,” says the elder Coffman. https://lnkd.in/eStPASCC

🔧 Exciting News! 🔨 The trend of Gen Z workers making blue-collar work cool again is set to reshape the workforce landscape this summer and in the years to come. With more young people inspired to pursue careers in trades like plumbing and construction, we’re anticipating a surge in activity and interest within these industries. This presents a unique opportunity for businesses to tap into a fresh pool of talent and drive innovation and modernization in blue-collar sectors. Over the next five years, we can expect to see a revitalization of these industries, leading to greater economic empowerment for individuals and communities. Let’s embrace and support this trend for a more diverse and robust workforce! #BlueCollarRevolution 💪🔵

It is worth noting here that prior to my "professional consulting" career, I was a "blue collar" worker, ala Mike Rowe "Dirty Jobs" digging ditches and pushing a wheelbarrow in blazing heat, rain, and mud. fixing toilets, repairing sewer lines, building and remodeling houses, and as a machinist. This paved the way for me to get my first modest home, and training in computers to get my white collar job I have today. Side benefit that people do not talk about much: all my experience in my blue collar life pays back in being able to unclog my own toilet, fix my cars, and do many of those "dirty jobs" myself. I have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in my lifetime (I am 63) because I "invested" in those trade skills.

Skilled trades are the backbone of our communities. They build, fix, and innovate, making everyday life possible Never underestimate the value of hands-on work. From electricians to plumbers, these professions keep the world running smoothly. Celebrate and respect the trades—where skill meets necessity and passion meets purpose. 🚧💪 #TradesMatter #SkilledTrades #RespectTheTrade #BuildingTheFuture #Plumbing #Plumbprofessional #LocalPlumber

There were two articles in the WSJ that caught my eye. (Apologies for the subscription requirement). One, which is posted below; Gen Z making bluecollar cool. The other; not being a cynic at work. I chose the Gen Z article because I like the positivity. I started out working with my hands and have always been in hands on roles throughout my career. It can be tough but, like mowing a lawn, you know where you are and what you have done. Everyone has been cynical about work at some point, but it is better to be positive and a collaborator. The end result of your day at work may be the same but the way you feel about it is different. I am synthesizing the two articles into one post, the Gen Z positivity about being hands on is encouraging. I do not buy into the notion that some other generation is harder working or better at something. I think that everyone has a desire to do well and work hard. If you read my earlier article about Deming he believed the same. People want to do well. I want to do well. I think that gets overlooked. Maybe that's part of the cynicism. So, two challenges for the week. 1) Think about your work and what you want to get done and be grateful that you have that work to do 2) Try out a little good will, even if someone isn't as kind as you would like, you did the right thing and you can feel good. It's not about them, it's about you. The tone is a little #LinkedIn #positivity but I am sincere. As I have said before I prefer being this way. #GenZ #Bluecollar #manufacturing #Executive #Logistics #logisticsexecutive #manufacturingexecutive #EV #China #WSJ #Genx #Millenial #Boomer https://lnkd.in/eyw5RHmk

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.

Gen Z turns to #BlueCollar jobs: Wary of being saddled with debt from a four-year degree, members of Gen Z are increasingly turning to the trades. The number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges jumped 16% last year, according to the National Student Clearinghouse — the highest level since tracking began in 2018. And being of the TikTok generation, many of these newly minted plumbers and electricians are documenting their work on social media, which only further drives interest. Half a million TikTok posts bore the hashtag #bluecollar in the first four months of 2024, a 64% increase over a year earlier. - In a twist, some skilled-trades influencers are making more money on TikTok than in the day jobs they document online — sometimes as much as $500,000 a year. - But even for non-influencers, the money is an increasingly attractive proposition: Pay for new construction hires is now better than for new hires in professional services such as accounting, per ADP.