Waitlisted for Enrollment: Gen Z Is Eager to Take Up the Call to the Skilled Trades, but Faces Barriers, According to Newly Released Survey from DEWALT

• In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week taking place this week, DEWALT surveyed pre-apprentices across the U.S. to better understand which obstacles might stand in the way of establishing a lifelong career in the field

• Access to training is a barrier for those surveyed, with more than half of respondents reporting being waitlisted for technical or vocational program enrollment

• DEWALT will host 150 high school students enrolled in trades training programs to its headquarters in Towson, Md. to inspire and educate pre-apprentices about career opportunities in the trades

• As part of its Grow The Trades initiative, a $30 million commitment to empower tradespeople, DEWALT recently opened applications for its 2025 DEWALT Trades Scholarship and is investing in the expansion of technical education programs

A new survey released today from DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and leader in total jobsite solutions, found that high schoolers enrolled in skilled trades programs are fully committed to their future career (68%), but faced challenges accessing critical training with 52% of students reporting they were placed on a waitlist. Once enrolled, 55% participated in internships, 47% in mentorship opportunities, and 46% have had real work experience highlighting the value of technical training programs in fostering skilled career development.

DEWALT commissioned the study, Gen Z in the Skilled Trades, ahead of National Apprenticeship Week (November 17-23, 2024). The survey explored Gen Z’s (those born 1997-2012) commitment to skilled trades and identified which obstacles might stand in the way of establishing a lifelong career in the field. Participants, all pre-apprentices in the U.S., were students ages 14-18 enrolled in either a trade or vocational school, or a skilled trades training program at their local high school.

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“Annual hiring in the U.S. for critical skilled trades roles could be more than 20 times the projected annual increase in net new jobs from 2022-2032*, as Gen Z enters the workforce,” said Maria Ford, President, Commercial & Industrial, DEWALT. “Skilled trades jobs play an essential role in our country’s infrastructure and economy, and through our Grow The Trades initiative, DEWALT is committed to meeting the demand Gen Z is driving for training and educational funding. This is a call to the industry to embrace this generation’s passion and their needs to remain lifelong tradespeople.”

Gen Z Is Gaining Early Exposure and is Optimistic
The survey found that 80% of students were first introduced to a career in the trades by the time they were 15 years old, with more than a quarter being exposed at age 13 or younger.

The majority of students who took the next step and enrolled in skilled trades education feel optimistic about their career choice with 77% somewhat to extremely optimistic. Those around them, particularly their parents as well as their friends, are also positive about careers in the trades. In fact, 80% of respondents say their parents view careers in the trades somewhat to extremely positively, and 71% say the same of their friends.

Gen Z’s Optimism is Validated by Employment Prospects
In addition to feeling optimistic about their career choice, students are also confident about future job opportunities. The majority of respondents (84%) believe they will be hired immediately following graduation and more than two-thirds (67%) have already had conversations with potential employers who expressed an interest in hiring them.

Key Barriers: Access to Training and Workplaces That Align with Generational Values
Beyond access to training, key concerns include the cost of trade school (43%), availability of networking opportunities (39%), finding time for class and related class work (35%), and access to equipment and tools for successful training (33%).

Survey results also show another set of barriers awaiting the Gen Z cohort once they are in full-time positions. Gen Z’s value system differs from that of Boomers and Gen X, the generations they’ll encounter in many management positions. The majority of respondents, for example, rated work-life balance (85%) and a caring boss (79%) as somewhat or extremely important expectations of a future job, a likely departure from previous generations’ expectations.

Meeting Gen Z’s Expectations is Critical for Retention
While this generation is committed, one in three students say they will leave the skilled trades entirely if the industry does not meet their expectations. Among Gen Z’s most critical needs to stay in the field are a positive work-life balance (37%) and a clear path to advancement (35%).

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