When talking to veteran facilities professionals, one of the common complaints you’ll come across is the labor shortage. People are quick to claim that Millennials and Gen Z employees are “lazy” and that “no one wants to work anymore,” but that isn’t the case.
As more Gen Z employees enter the workforce, they are starting to realize that a traditional office setting might not be the right fit. Social media has largely been playing a role in getting the younger generation interested in trades, going beyond memes and selfies to actually show users an unfiltered look at what it means to be a tradesperson on any particular day, according to the Future of the Skilled Trades Report by Thumbtack.
The report found that 84 percent of both Gen Z and their parents have expressed high respect for skilled trades. While, 67 percent of Gen Z – including 78 percent of those with a college degree – believe that social media has increased their interest in the profession. Now, 55 percent of Gen Z respondents are considering a skilled trade career – up 12 percent from last year.
Social media isn’t a new tool to gain young people’s interest, though. Leah Withrow, assistant field manager at Arizona State University, has taken to social media to pull back the curtain on grounds management. In her TikToks and posts on X (formerly Twitter), she can be seen painting the field, mowing the grass and even chasing an occasional bird or two off the property.
Giving a behind-the-scenes look at what a trades job looks like has helped Gen Z grasp that it’s much more than what is initially perceived to be. Skilled professionals are largely driving this trend, with 60 percent saying that their professions have become more “instagrammable.” According to the report, 77 percent of Gen Z respondents said that they have seen increased attention of skilled trades on social media, with posts increasing 52 percent year-over-year on popular platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
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Despite what people want to believe about Gen Z, they are genuinely interested in careers in skilled trades. They are enticed by the ability to earn money and work right away, all while learning new skills and pursuing a career that they actually enjoy. People in trades tend to own their own company, allowing them to control their own schedule and have a better work/life balance.
Not only this, but after watching family members lose their job because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Gen Zers are leaning toward a career in trades because of job security. According to the survey, 95 percent of skilled trades professionals feel optimistic about their professional futures, with 89 percent saying they have high job satisfaction. In addition, a majority of respondents expect their financial outlook to improve within the next three months.
Gen Z is seven times more likely to regret attending a four-year university, opposed to those who attend a trade school, the survey found. However, more universities are beginning to implement trade programs, whether it be a certificate or an actual degree. This could help ease the mind of parents who continue to pressure children to attend a four-year university.
While the younger generation continues to be more interested in learning trade skills, only 41 percent of respondents reported having access to trade programs in school. When classes are provided, 83 percent of respondents cited it to be their favorite subject.
Just this past summer, 400 students across Los Angeles County signed up to learned skilled trades, such as construction, welding and solar panel installation as part of an expanding initiative to offer students opportunities to good paying jobs in demanding industries. Students were able to earn credentials for school while also gaining job experience for a career in trades.
Still, even with the excitement that Gen Z has toward skilled trades, veterans in the industry are still having a hard time recruiting the next generation of workers because they are not using social media to their advantage. Managers should work with a media specialist to help engage with younger generations and push out content that they would like to see on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The more behind-the-scenes access we give to these types of careers, the more people will be interested. If you look at the comments of these videos, many people are asking how they can get into a career like trades. The algorithm can either feed someone a cat meme or it can give them your video – why not take that chance.
Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor of the facilities market.
