Gen Z Finds Success in Blue-Collar Work

In a recent Fox News segment on America Reports, host Sandra Smith and Mike Rowe, founder of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, dove into a fast-growing trend: members of Gen Z are ditching traditional desk jobs and pursuing trade careers. According to Rowe, this shift isn’t just anecdotal – it’s the start of a cultural reset, one that’s been building quietly for years and is now taking center stage.

“You’re seeing Gen Z finally embrace the trades,” Smith remarked, noting that these roles are not only high-paying but also far less vulnerable to AI disruption. Mike Rowe agreed, calling this pivot “the last, best hope” for today’s young workers to earn a meaningful living.

Rowe’s Warning: We Lost a Generation to Bad Advice

Rowe didn’t sugarcoat how we got here. “This is what happens when you promote one form of education at the expense of all others,” he told Smith. For decades, he argued, schools and parents steered kids toward four-year degrees, stigmatizing the trades as backup options for those who “couldn’t make it” academically.

“When we took shop class out of high school,” Rowe said, “we sent a clear message to the workforce.” That message left a void – and the consequences are now plain: over 7.6 million open jobs in the trades, while thousands of college grads remain underemployed and burdened with debt.

Gen Z Sees the Light – and the Paycheck

Sandra Smith highlighted a growing number of young adults who are opting out of the traditional college path entirely. Many are choosing vocational training, apprenticeships, and certifications instead. She shared a personal example of her own nephew, a college freshman, who took a summer job with the local pipefitters union.

“It pays well and will afford him some fun summer hobbies,” Smith said, noting that many of these opportunities start at $70,000 or more – hard to ignore, especially for teenagers used to minimum wage.

Real Stories, Real Money

Rowe chimed in with one of his foundation’s success stories: Chloe Hudson, who received a welding certification through mikeroweWORKS six years ago. Today, she earns mid-six figures and enjoys flexible hours.

“These stories matter,” Rowe said. “They’re not exceptions anymore – they’re proof.” He added that the skilled trades aren’t just a fallback. For many, they are a direct path to a stable, high-income life without student loans.

Industries Begging for Talent

It’s not just individual success stories that back up Rowe’s claims – it’s also data from major industries. According to Rowe, the maritime industry is short 140,000 workers to build submarines for the Navy. The auto industry has 75,000 technician vacancies. Energy and data center sectors are also scrambling to fill roles.

“This is a modern-day Manhattan Project,” Rowe said. “The AI race is on, and we need the workforce to build it.” For Gen Z, he explained, the path is clear: if you’re willing to get trained, travel, and work hard, six-figure jobs are waiting.

Numbers Don’t Lie: Why Gen Z Is Choosing the Trades

Smith cited some compelling statistics during the interview. A majority of Gen Z trade students say they start earning income earlier than their college-bound peers – 60% to be exact. About 40% avoid student loan debt entirely. Nearly half (46%) see greater long-term job security, and 36% say they simply prefer hands-on work.

“People want meaning in what they do,” Rowe said. “And when you finish the day having built something with your hands, you feel that meaning.” It’s a message resonating with a generation raised on digital overload and uncertain job markets.

Rowe Sounds the Alarm on Retirements

One of Rowe’s most urgent concerns is the retirement cliff. “For every five workers retiring, only two are coming in,” he warned. This lopsided math has existed for over a decade, and the skilled trades are feeling the pressure.

Smith and Rowe both emphasized that this isn’t just an employment issue – it’s a national security risk. Infrastructure, defense manufacturing, and basic utilities depend on tradespeople. Without new workers to replace the old, critical services are at risk.

Training for the Future, Not the Past

Howard Lutnick, also referenced during the show, supported the message: “It’s time to train people not for jobs of the past, but for the great jobs of the future.” Rowe nodded in agreement, highlighting that community colleges and trade programs across the country are already doing the work, offering certifications for welders, electricians, HVAC techs, and more.

Smith added that many of these roles offer full benefits and average salaries over $100,000, according to data from the National Association of Manufacturing. For Gen Z, these numbers are hard to ignore – and even harder to beat with a standard bachelor’s degree.

Rowe’s YouTube Series: “People You Should Know”

Before wrapping up, Smith gave Rowe a chance to promote his new YouTube series, People You Should Know. The first episode features a Denver-based initiative called TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades), which trains neurodivergent adults in welding, mechanics, and more.

Rowe beamed as he described it: “They have an 83% placement rate. It’s one of the most successful programs I’ve ever seen.” He stressed that the trades aren’t just for one type of person – they’re for anyone who’s ready to work and wants to make a difference.

Perceptions Are Finally Catching Up

What I find most fascinating is how fast the narrative is changing. For years, trades were seen as plan B. But now, young people are realizing they can make real money, have real independence, and avoid the debt trap altogether. They’re not just rejecting the old stereotypes – they’re rewriting the rules.

There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing this shift. As Rowe said, “We’re turning the tanker around.” It’s slow, but it’s happening – and it might just reshape the future of work in America.

A Generation With Tools and Purpose

Mike Rowe and Sandra Smith made one thing crystal clear in this Fox News segment: Gen Z is waking up to the reality that blue-collar work is not only respectable – it’s smart. With open jobs, big salaries, and a clear demand, the skilled trades are becoming the go-to path for a generation tired of empty promises and overpriced degrees.

This movement isn’t just about jobs. It’s about restoring dignity to work that never should have lost it. And if Gen Z keeps leaning in, America’s future may be built not on keyboards, but on callused hands and purpose-driven minds.

UP NEXT: “Heavily Armed” — See Which States Are The Most Strapped

Americans have long debated the role of firearms, but one thing is sure — some states are far more armed than others.

See where your state ranks in this new report on firearm ownership across the U.S.