Redefining Language Around Skilled Trades
Date Posted: December 19, 2023
Posted In: Discussion, Workforce,
From RoughDraft Atlanta: As the holiday season brings families and communities together, these moments present an opportune time to reflect on future aspirations, including career paths. The skilled trades, a vital yet often overlooked sector, deserve a prominent place in these discussions around your holiday tables this year.
Our society’s economic engine traditionally brings to mind industries like healthcare, technology, and finance. Yet, we often pay little attention to an equally vital driver: the skilled building trades. From plumbers to electricians, these professionals are the unsung heroes who ensure our homes, recreational and workplaces are functional and safe.
Regrettably, the language often used to depict these professions often undermines their value in our daily lives. I’m sure I’ll be stepping on some toes, but terms like “blue-collar” and “manual labor” can at times prove off-putting to younger career seekers when contrast to “white-collar” professions. While seemingly harmless to older workers, this dated lexicon creates a stigma that can deter the youth from pursuing these vital and rewarding careers.
A Numbers Game: The Skilled Trades Shortage
Our nation faces a daunting reality, namely a significant shortage in the skilled construction trades. For every five retiring baby boomers, only two younger workers are filling their shoes. This disparity is partly the result of the longstanding bias that has held college degrees as the sole measure of future success. Consequently, the younger generations are less inclined to enter the skilled trade professions, leaving employers struggling to find qualified professionals.
As we navigate the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the need for new skills is palpable, with 58% of the workforce requiring updated competencies to meet job demands. The evolution toward automation and digital transformation in manufacturing only intensifies this skills gap.