Skilled Trade Rescue Newsletter: Mentoring Skilled Trades Professionals for Success in Work and Life.
They got the Memo
At a recent leadership conference, we heard several business owners asking
“We’ve got more young applicants now than we’ve had in 10 years. And they’re hungry for work that matters. How do we integrate these young Gen Z workers with our old-timers to get a cohesive team?!?”
What would you say?
Look who's picking up the slack.
Gen Z got the memo that the Trades need skilled people. Now!
They don’t want office chairs. They want work that they can be proud of.
They watched their older siblings or parents take on $100K in student debt, get a degree or two, and still end up back at home — scrolling job boards, picking up odd jobs, or driving food around to make ends meet.
So while AI chews through all the entry-level work opportunities, the next generation is planning to fill that Trades labor gap. Are you ready for this?
The Data is talking
🔹 Gen Z is actively considering a career in the skilled trades. Especially among those who are already college grads.
🔹 Trade school enrollment is rising, even as traditional college admissions drop.
🔹 Social media isn’t just for dance trends anymore. It’s full of welding walkthroughs, day-in-the-life HVAC techs, and young electricians sharing apprenticeship tips, paychecks, and progress.
Gen Z currently makes up 30% of the world's population and is expected to account for 27% of the workforce by 2026.
How Does Your Business, Crew or Youth Thrive in this Labor Shift?
First, Who is Gen Z?
- Currently 14 – 29 years old
- Tech fluent
- Not sure college is/was the right path for most people
- Deeply interested in building something worthwhile – that’s great news for the trades
- Continually learning
- Focused on connecting community, purpose, and work
- 70%+ Prioritize work-life balance.
The smart Gen Zers aren’t waiting for permission. They’re seeking information, mentors, and opportunities wherever they can find them – often starting with youtube and anything else they can get their hands on. Let’s give them the support they deserve.
Parents, mentors, business owners — listen up:
This isn’t a generation to complain about.
It’s one to fight for.
Because if we guide them right now, we don’t just fill jobs — we rebuild entire essential industries.
What They Need From Us
They don’t need another lecture about how things used to be.
Build and show them:
- Clear paths into the trades, how it's the chance to do work that matters
- Opportunities to try out and build several skills in middle or high school.
- Real money, budgeting, and financial growth
- Excellent work-ethics, early
- Tools that move them from zero to pro
- Character Leaders who know how to develop young potential
This is where Skilled Trade Rescue comes in.
Skilled Trade Rescue Has Buisness Owner and Parent & Mentor Resouces Ready To Go
If you're a parent, guide, employer, or just someone who gives a damn about where the next generation is heading — we’ve got what you need and are adding more all the time:
âś… Tools to help you talk to your teen, student, or apprentice
✅ A new custom Skilled Trade Mentor AI coming soon — for smart, on-demand answers. Sign up now to be in the first to know.
âś… A community that lifts people up, not tells them to keep their head down and work harder
This generation is navigating a world and workplace we’ve never had before— and they’re doing it with more awareness and purpose.
Take me to SkilledTradeRescue.com
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