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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This week in 5 numbers: Gen Z opts for skilled trades
This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter. U.S. workers report higher levels of stress at work given current economic uncertainty and government policy changes. Here's a look at those and some of the other numbers making headlines in the HR world. By the numbers 12% The percentage of companies that feel effective at skill validation, which could be a cause for concern when trying to implement a skills-first hiring approach, according to a report from Hirevue and Aptitude Research. 42% The percentage of Generation Z adults who are working in or pursuing a blue-collar or skilled trade job, according to a Resume Builder report. 54% The percentage of U.S. workers who say job insecurity has significantly affected their stress levels at work, according to a report from the American Psychological Association. 69% The percentage of hiring managers who say their company looks at relevant experience over a bachelor's degree while making hiring decisions, according to a Resume Templates report. 1,500 The number of Walmart employees whose jobs will be cut as part of a restructuring of the company's global tech and Walmart U.S. operations, according to an internal memo. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Journals
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
Gen Z more interested in trade careers; dress codes change post-pandemic
Editor's Note: Welcome to The Playbook Edition, a look at stories, trends and changes that could affect your business. Want more stories like this in your inbox? Sign up for The Playbook newsletter. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events Here's why Gen Zers are increasingly drawn to trade careers Some Generation Z adults are becoming more interested in trade careers as economic pressures mount and concerns about artificial-intelligence tools persist. That's according to a recent survey from Resume Builder, which found 42% of Gen Zers are working in or pursuing a skilled-trade job, including 37% of those with a bachelor's degree. The report surveyed 1,434 adults ages 18 to 28. Regardless of education level, Gen Z men surveyed were significantly more likely than women to choose trade careers, with 48% of men saying they worked in or planned to enter the trades, compared to 30% of women. Top factors cited for choosing work outside of white-collar professions included avoiding student-loan debt and reducing the potential risk of being replaced by AI tools. The shift, according to the report, is especially prevalent among Gen Z men with degrees, as 46% of them are working in or pursuing trades compared to 27% of women with degrees. Key quote: "More Gen Z college graduates are turning to trade careers and for good reason. Many are concerned about AI replacing traditional white-collar roles, while trade jobs offer hands-on work that's difficult to automate. Additionally, many grads find their degrees don't lead to careers in their field, prompting them to explore more practical, in-demand alternatives." — Resume Builder's Chief Career Advisor Stacie Haller FULL STORY: Here's why Gen Zers are increasingly drawn to trade careers Casual dress codes were a post-pandemic perk. That's starting to change. Companies have pulled back on advertising casual dress codes in 2025, but that doesn't mean the days of relaxed in-office attire workers have enjoyed post-pandemic are coming to an end. The Playbook's senior reporter Andy Medici writes that an analysis of job postings by job-matching platform Adzuna that was shared exclusively with The Playbook found the percentage of listings in April that mentioned a casual dress code came in at 61.1%, the lowest April figure since the onset of the pandemic. In April 2019, casual dress code mentions were part of 58.5% of job listings. Per Medici, that number rose to 63% in April 2020 and reached a peak of 80.6% in April 2022 before coming back down. Medici notes that references to business-casual dress codes, which stood at 40.2% of job postings in April 2019, fell all the way to 18.6% of job postings in April 2022 before rising back up to 37.2% this year, according to Adzuna. Key quote: "During the pandemic, it was common for employers to advertise casual dress and remote work to attract candidates. But now that casual dress has become the standard, companies no longer feel it's necessary to drive recruitment. So even though fewer job listings directly advertise their casual dress code, it's still very much the standard in most workplaces." — Sam Debase, a career expert at ZipRecruiter FULL STORY: Casual dress codes were a post-pandemic perk. That's starting to change. Office returns are hitting their new normal As more corporate titans have pushed for employees returning to the office in 2025, the rate of in-person work is inching toward pre-pandemic levels in some major metros. The Business Journals' Joanne Drilling writes that April 2025 was the third-busiest in-office month since the pandemic — outpaced only by October and July 2024 — with office visits down 30.7% nationally compared to April 2019. The data comes from the most recent Nationwide Office Building Index, which leverages cellphone location data to analyze foot traffic and visits from about 1,000 office buildings across the country. Despite the robust traffic numbers recorded in April, a full return to pre-pandemic visitation levels hasn't yet materialized in most cities, Drilling notes. Key quote: "Consumers are just not spending 40 hours a week in the office. They're still embracing this hybrid model, but with a lot of companies heading into the office, we have some improvement in the percentage of visits compared to pre-pandemic levels." — R.J. Hottovy, head of analytical research at FULL STORY: Office returns are hitting their new normal The blitz: Workers feel stigma around disability accommodations has worsened … The pay raise picture is shifting. Here's where wages are rising the most. … SBA launches portal to boost Made in America Manufacturing Initiative … SBA overhauls another loan program amid rising defaults
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
4 Forces Fueling Gen Z's Shift To Blue‑Collar Jobs
Gen Z college grads are choosing blue-collar jobs that offer job security. A dramatic shift is reshaping both higher education and skilled trades. According to new research from 37% of Gen Z college graduates are now working in or actively pursuing blue-collar jobs—representing the most significant talent influx into trades in decades. For the first time in generations, college-educated Gen Z workers are voluntarily choosing skilled-trade jobs over traditional white-collar careers, driven by a combination job market realities and evolving definitions of career success. Let's explore the four forces driving this shift, how employers can respond and what steps job seekers can take to capitalize on this workforce trend. Skilled trade jobs are experiencing unprecedented demand across multiple sectors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average growth for electricians, plumbers and wind turbine technicians through 2033. Deloitte research indicates that U.S. manufacturing alone could need 3.8 million additional workers by 2033, with 1.9 million positions potentially unfilled. This surge in demand explains why, according to the Resume Builder survey, 30% of Gen Z college graduates considering blue-collar jobs cite better long-term prospects as their primary motivation, while 19% made the switch because they were unable to find work in their field of study. While most college graduates face months-long job searches and unpaid internships, skilled trades offer immediate employment and job security. Median wages for skilled-trade jobs now rival entry-level salaries for white-collar positions while avoiding the crushing burden of student debt. This economic reality is reflected in the Resume Builder survey, where 16% of college graduates who switched to trades said they weren't earning enough with their credentials. The average federal student loan debt exceeds $38,000, resulting in payments that consume a significant portion of entry-level salaries for years. Meanwhile, apprenticeship programs offer paid training from day one. Experienced electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians routinely earn between $60,000-$80,000 annually, with top performers commanding six-figure incomes. Having grown up with technology, Gen Z workers understand the potential of automation to disrupt knowledge work. This explains why the survey indicates that 25% of college graduates entering trades specifically chose blue-collar work because they believe these jobs are less likely to be replaced by AI. The physical, problem-solving nature of skilled trades makes them inherently resistant to automation. While AI can assist with design and planning, it can't wire a house, fix a broken pipe or troubleshoot complex mechanical systems in unpredictable environments. Many Gen Z workers are drawn to the tangible nature of skilled trades. This generation values purpose and impact, and trades offer immediate, visible results. The collaborative nature of construction and manufacturing also appeals to workers from team-oriented educational environments. Unlike isolated office jobs, skilled trades require constant coordination and mentorship, creating social connections many remote workers feel are missing. Companies must update their recruitment messaging to appeal to college-educated workers who have multiple career options. For example, today's electricians work with smart building systems and renewable energy technologies, while manufacturers utilize advanced robotics and AI-assisted quality control, which requires continuous learning. Effective recruitment should showcase these technological aspects while emphasizing the problem-solving and innovation that skilled trades demand. Case studies of college graduates who've built successful careers in trades can be effective in countering misconceptions about blue-collar jobs. Forward-thinking employers are implementing several approaches: One of the biggest barriers is the pressure from family and society to pursue white-collar careers. Actively counter the "college-only" mindset by providing data on wages, career progression and job security to parents, guidance counselors and career advisors. Industry associations should develop materials for career counselors, including salary data, growth projections and success stories. Many are unaware that skilled trades can lead to entrepreneurship opportunities and specialized consulting positions that rival traditional professional careers. 1. Research Program Outcomes: Investigate the track records of apprenticeship programs in terms of job placement rates, wage progression timelines and graduate satisfaction. Quality programs should provide transparent data on employment outcomes and career advancement opportunities. 2. Target High-Growth, Tech-Forward Trades: Focus on the fastest-growing categories, such as electricians, wind turbine technicians and HVAC specialists. Prioritize trades that incorporate advanced technology, solar installation, smart building systems and renewable energy for better long-term prospects. 3. Evaluate Entrepreneurship Pathways: Consider trades offering clear routes to business ownership. Many skilled trades offer a natural progression from apprentice to independent contractor to business owner, with lower startup costs compared to most traditional businesses. 4. Leverage Your College Background: Seek programs designed for college graduates or highlight transferable skills such as analytical thinking, communication and project management. Some employers offer accelerated tracks for educated workers. 5. Use Proven Resources: Start with the Department of Labor's apprenticeship finder and the National Center for Construction Education and Research. Many states also offer scholarship programs and financial assistance specifically for trade education. Gen Z's pivot toward blue-collar jobs isn't a retreat from ambition. It's a rational response to economic reality and evolving definitions of success. This generation has witnessed traditional career path limitations and is choosing alternatives that offer better financial returns, job security and personal satisfaction. For companies facing chronic skill gaps, this represents the best talent news in years. However, capitalizing on it requires updating recruitment strategies, compensation and workplace cultures to appeal to educated workers with options. Companies successfully attracting college-educated trade workers will gain significant competitive advantages in an increasingly constrained labor market.
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
The return-to-office mandate is here. So is the open office. One has to go.
It's official: The era of remote work flexibility is over. From Fortune 100 companies to federal agencies, employees are being summoned back to office towers and cubicles under sweeping return-to-work (RTO) mandates. According to a January 2025 survey by Resume Builder, nine in ten companies will require workers back in the office by the end of the year, with 30% already enforcing full five-day, in-office schedules. The problem? We've failed to consider what employees lose when they leave their home workspaces behind. The office doesn't just move—it takes away employees' control over their environment. At home, employees discovered something revolutionary: control. They could adjust the lighting. Lower the noise. Choose their chair, temperature, background music, and even the scent of their workspace. For the first time, people could truly customize their environment to optimize their productivity. And it worked. Studies show employees working from home report lower stress, better focus, and higher productivity. But when they return to standardized open layouts complete with bright overhead lights, echoing voices, and a one-size-fits-all desk, they don't just lose flexibility; they lose the ability to perform at their best. For neurodiverse individuals, the consequences are even more acute. People with sensory sensitivities and learning differences such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, and dyslexia may find traditional offices overwhelming, disorienting, even paralyzing. In fact, 40% of neurodiverse individuals remain unemployed, often because the workspace itself is the barrier. A few years ago, I walked into a client's office and saw rows of open desks, bright overhead lighting, people chatting all around, and I instantly thought, 'There's no way I could work here.' As someone with dyslexia and ADHD, these environments have always been a challenge. I used to spend hours trying to find quiet corners, using noise-canceling headphones just to focus, or even working odd hours at home where I could control my space. That was a lightbulb moment for me: The modern office isn't designed for everyone—and certainly not for people like me. We talk a lot about square footage, seating charts, and collaboration spaces, but rarely do we talk about airflow, acoustics, texture, or privacy control. Yet these are the levers that most directly affect how people feel and perform at work. And research backs this up: Biophilic design —the integration of natural elements like plants, wood textures, and natural light— reduces stress by 30% and boosts cognitive function by 15%. Adjustable lighting and noise levels help people maintain focus, especially those with sensory sensitivities. Personalized workspaces help employees stay more engaged, more productive, and twice as likely to stay with their employer. These aren't luxury features. They are performance infrastructure that unlock human potential. IF YOU WANT A PEACEFUL AND EFFICIENT TRANSITION BACK TO OFFICE, GIVE EMPLOYEES CONTROL Return-to-office doesn't have to be a loss. It can be a gain. But only if we rethink how the office functions. It's time to move away from rigid, standardized layouts and instead design environments that adapt to the employee—not the other way around. That means letting go of the idea that more desks equals more work, or that open layouts naturally lead to collaboration. In reality, employees need environments that help them stay focused, manage stress, and feel comfortable being themselves. We've spent the last five years learning what people need to be productive. They need flexibility, sensory awareness, and control over their space. Ignoring those lessons now won't bring back the old office culture—it will just breed resentment and churn. Let's stop asking workers to leave their best work conditions behind. Instead, let's meet them halfway with offices that reflect what we've learned: Control is not a perk—it's a prerequisite for performance. As we usher in a new era of work, let's not default to old environments. Let's create spaces where everyone—not just the neurotypical, not just the extroverts—can thrive. Because when we design for the extreme, we uplift the mean.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gen Z turn to trade jobs, ditch white-collar careers amid AI uncertainty, poor corporate wages
It's trick of the trade. Gen Z is turning to traditional trade jobs amid fears AI will soon replace many white-collar careers, a new survey has uncovered. Resume Builder polled more than 1,400 Gen Z adults between the ages of 18 and 28, finding that 42% of Zoomers are currently working in or pursuing a blue-collar or skilled trade job, such as plumbing, welding or electrical work, including 37% of those with a bachelor's degree. Almost a third of respondents said such jobs offer better long-term prospects, while a quarter said the roles are less likely to be taken over by AI. 'More Gen Z college graduates are turning to trade careers and for good reason,' Resume Builder's Chief Career Advisor Stacie Haller declared. 'Trade jobs offer hands-on work that's difficult to automate. Additionally, many grads find their degrees don't lead to careers in their field, prompting them to explore more practical, in-demand alternatives.' Indeed, almost one in five Zoomers (19%) who are currently working in a trade said they were unable to find a job in the field that they had studied for. Of those who were able to land a white-collar role, 16% eventually quit and turned to a trade job because it potentially offered more money. It's a stunning inversion from decades' past, where a job requiring a college degree typically offered far better pay than blue-collar work. Resume Builder also found that trade jobs were particularly enticing for Gen Z as the cost of obtaining a college degree continues to rise. Many surveyed Zoomers said they didn't want to be burdened by paying back burdensome college loans. The average cost of college in the United States has more than doubled over the past 24 years to $38,270 per student per year, according to the Education Data Initiative. The findings come less than a year after The Wall Street Journal reported that Gen Z is becoming 'the toolbelt generation.' Trades are flourishing as college enrollment shrinks, per the report, which found that 'the number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges rose 16% last year to its highest level … since 2018.' Kids studying construction trades rose 23% during the five-year period, while those training for HVAC and vehicle repair careers increased 7%. An Associated Press article from 2023 also reported on the trend, similarly saying pricey college tuition was turning Zoomers off higher education. 'If I would have gone to college after school, I would be dead broke,' one young man working at a Ford plant told the Associated Press in a story about young people skipping college in favor of the skilled trades. The youngster is making $24 an hour at age 19, with no student debt.
