Why Young People Aren’t Choosing the Trades — And Why It’s a Crisis

Across the country, industries like welding, plumbing, electrical work, and nondestructive testing (NDT) are facing a growing crisis: a shortage of young workers entering the trades.

Despite offering strong wages, job security, and meaningful career paths, these fields struggle to attract the next generation. But why? The answer goes deeper than you might think—and it’s reshaping the future of our workforce.

The Digital Lure: Why Trades Lose Out to TikTok and Tech

While cultural stigma around blue-collar work has long played a role, today there’s an even more powerful force pulling young people away from the trades: the digital economy.

1. The Rise of the Influencer Economy

From YouTube and TikTok to Instagram and Twitch, today’s youth are growing up in a world where content creators are celebrities.

A LEGO survey found that 30% of kids aged 8–12 want to be YouTubers when they grow up—compared to just 11% who say astronaut.

The appeal is obvious:

• Freedom and creativity

• The chance at fame

• The perception of fast, easy money

For young people, why invest years in an apprenticeship when you can (supposedly) build a following and monetize it from your bedroom?

2. The Draw of Tech and Startup Culture

Beyond influencers, the tech world exerts a huge pull.

Tech jobs promise:

• High salaries

• Remote work

• Cutting-edge innovation

The media amplifies stories of 20-somethings making six figures coding apps, landing VC funding, or selling startups. Free coding bootcamps and YouTube tutorials make tech careers feel accessible and modern—while trades can feel outdated and invisible by comparison.

3. The Misinformation About Earnings

Here’s the irony: many tradespeople can earn six figures, debt-free.

A licensed electrician, plumber, or NDT technician often makes as much (or more) than a junior programmer or marketing assistant. Many go on to start their own businesses, becoming employers rather than employees.

But that story rarely gets told. Instead, young people are bombarded with messages that trades are:

• Low-paying

• Physically punishing

• A “fallback” option if college doesn’t work out

This perception gap is a massive missed opportunity—not just for individuals, but for the economy.

💥 Jobs That Matter vs. Jobs That Pay More

One of the most overlooked aspects of this crisis is the difference between jobs that matter and jobs that pay more.

Skilled trades—like welding, plumbing, electrical work, and nondestructive testing—are the backbone of the economy. Without them, bridges don’t stand, clean water doesn’t flow, power grids fail, and factories grind to a halt.

These are jobs that matter deeply to public safety, economic stability, and daily life.

But here’s the challenge: While many trades offer solid, middle-class incomes (and some can reach six figures), they often can’t compete with the highest-earning jobs in tech, finance, or entertainment. A young software engineer at a Silicon Valley startup or a viral content creator can sometimes earn in a year what a tradesperson makes in several.

The problem is, the economy can survive without the next viral influencer—but it can’t survive without clean water, reliable electricity, safe transportation, and strong infrastructure.

If society undervalues these essential roles, we’re setting ourselves up for long-term risk.

4. The Promise of Passive Income

Social media is flooded with “get rich quick” pitches:

• Dropshipping

• Crypto and NFTs

• Affiliate marketing

• AI-generated income streams

Young people are told they can bypass years of hard work and “hack” their way to passive income. Whether or not these promises deliver, they make the slow, disciplined pathway of the trades look less appealing.

Why This Is a Crisis

Without a steady pipeline of new workers, the skilled trades face:

• Labor shortages

• Project delays

• Rising costs for consumers

• Threats to critical infrastructure and public safety

The retirement of Baby Boomers is only accelerating the problem. We’re facing not just a worker shortage—but a knowledge drain.

How We Fix It

To compete with the digital economy, the trades need a rebrand:

✅ Bring vocational training back to schools and expose kids early.

✅ Showcase real-life success stories of tradespeople on the platforms where young people spend time.

✅ Offer clear pathways for advancement, entrepreneurship, and growth.

✅ Provide financial support (like scholarships and subsidized toolkits) to lower entry barriers.

Final Thought

Young people today aren’t lazy—they’re ambitious. But ambition is being shaped by what they see, hear, and believe about the world of work.

If we want to close the trades gap, we have to meet them where they are and show them that the skilled trades offer not just a job, but a future.

💥 Want to explore more about how we’re addressing the workforce crisis? Visit eddycurrent.com for resources, training, and insights on careers in NDT and beyond.