Sam Pillar is co-founder and CEO of Jobber.
Some may find it difficult to understand or relate to them, but it is increasingly clear that Generation Z is a generation of doers. They take action and want to take the lead. It is therefore not surprising that many young people are attracted to entrepreneurship.
According to the first edition of Jobber Blue Collar ReportIn which we surveyed 1,000 people aged 18 to 20 in the United States, nearly two-thirds (63%) said they want to start their own business at some point in their lives – and 11% have. already done.
This is good news. Small businesses are the engine of our economy. But what businesses should they start? The obvious answer lies in trades.
A case for the professions
We’ve also spoken to thousands of home service business owners and finding reliable labor is a challenge every one of them faces. If you’ve tried calling a plumber, HVAC technician, or any number of tradesmen to do work around your home, you’ve probably personally experienced the labor shortage.
Houses and other infrastructure are aging. Today, the average owner-occupied home in the United States is 40 years old, meaning there is a growing need for repairs, maintenance and renovation of the aging housing stock.
At the same time, skilled workers are retiring and there are not enough young people entering the professions to replace them. Experts predict that there will be 73,500 openings each year for electricians only until 2032. This causes delays in service and increases costs for consumers.
Respond to the call to work
The labor shortage is a major problem, but also a huge opportunity for ambitious young people to fill the void. Fortunately, we are seeing that Generation Z is keen to seize this opportunity.
Three-quarters (75%) of our respondents said they were interested in vocational schools offering paid on-the-job training. They are worried about repaying their loans and want to start building their career without going into debt. They are also looking for stable employment. Job security was identified by respondents as one of the most important factors in choosing a career. They are hyper-aware of advances in technology and artificial intelligence and fear pursuing jobs that could be disrupted by automation in the coming years, many of them in the white-collar sector.
This trend is gaining momentum and the number of students enrolled in career-oriented community colleges is increasing. Enrollments increased 16% last year to their highest level since National Student Information Center started tracking this data in 2018. But that’s not enough to fill the gap.
What’s holding Gen Z back?
There is still a stigma associated with careers in the trades and society continues to overemphasize that traditional college degrees are the only path to success. 74% of our respondents believe there is a stigma associated with attending a vocational school rather than a traditional four-year university and 79% say their parents want them to pursue a college education after high school, while only 5% say the same thing about vocational school.
Another obstacle is that Generation Z underestimates the earning potential of careers. The majority of respondents believe it is not possible to make seven-figure incomes in tree care, lawn care, or plumbing. However, our data on more than 200,000 service professionals reveals that construction companies aren’t the only ones that can make big profits. More than 50% of tree care, lawn care and plumbing businesses earn at least $1 million each year.
Chase Gallagher owns one of these companies. Chase started his lawn care and landscaping business, CMG Landscaping, when he was just 13 years old. In the time it took his peers to graduate from college, he grew his business into a multi-million dollar business and is chasing his dream. His story is just one of many.
It’s time for the next generation of tool belts
To address the shortage of trades workers and engage more young people, we can start by investing in and promoting the entrepreneurial and financial opportunities offered by the trades in the media, social media and in our communities. Parents, influencers and educators should encourage young people to explore more diverse career options and consider trades as a profitable and satisfying career. Vocational programs should be encouraged from the beginning, alongside traditional colleges.
We need to support businesses that want to provide training and apprenticeship opportunities. In addition to lobbying for more government funding in this area, if you know of a company that offers internships or mentors youth in your community, consider them first the next time you need work done.
We can do a lot to end the stigma associated with the professions. Sharing stories like Chase’s is helpful, but it can also be as simple as showing these workers respect and thanking them for all they do. We must recognize and value the essential work of trade professionals. Together, these actions can unlock a huge opportunity for the next generation, small businesses and the economy.
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