--- title: The Rise of Skilled Trades Among Gen Z Workers description: Allegis Global Solutions’ workforce analysts examine the rising trend of Gen Z workers and Gen Alpha choosing trades over traditional four-year degrees. image: https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/hubfs/Rise%20of%20Skilled%20Trades%20Among%20Gen%20Z%20Workers_Hubspot%20Image.png --- AGS Blog Header Toggle navigation [![Allegis Global Solutions](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/hubfs/ags/logos/AGS-Logo_reversed.svg) Global Workforce Management Solutions - Allegis Global Solutions](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/) [Skip to Content](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/rise-of-skilled-trades-among-gen-z-workers#main-content) - [Research](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/research) - [Advisory and Transformation](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/advisory-and-transformation) - [Managed Services](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services) toggle menu - [Managed Service Provider (MSP)](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/managed-service-provider) - [Contingent Workforce Supplier Management](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/managed-service-provider/supply-chain-management) - [Direct Sourcing Solutions](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/managed-service-provider/direct-sourcing) - [Procurement Solutions](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/procurement-solutions) - [Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/recruitment-process-outsourcing) - [Direct Sourcing Solutions](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/direct-sourcing-solutions) - [Capabilities](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/capabilities) - [Acumen](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/capabilities/acumen) - [Ignite Consulting](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/capabilities/ags-ignite-consulting) - [Partners](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/capabilities/partners) - [Industries](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/industries) - [Consumer and Industrial Products](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/industries/consumer-and-industrial-products) - [Healthcare](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/industries/healthcare) - [Life Sciences](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/industries/life-sciences) - [Financial Services](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/industries/financial-services) - [Information Technology](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/managed-services/industries/information-technology) - [Insights](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/insights) toggle menu - [Blog](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/) - [Podcast](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/insights/podcast) - [White Papers](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/insights/white-papers) - [Case Studies](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/insights/case-studies) - [About](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/about-us) toggle menu - [News & Events](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/about-us/news-and-events) - [Press Releases](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/about-us/news-and-events/press-releases) - [Awards](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/about-us/news-and-events/awards) - [Events](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/about-us/news-and-events/events) - [AGS In The News](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/about-us/news-and-events/in-the-news) - [Careers](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/about-us/careers) - [Contact Us](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/about-us/contact-us) - [Locations](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/about-us/locations) - [Search Site](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/search) - Select Language Americas [English](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/en) APAC [English](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/en-au) EMEA [English](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/en-gb) ### Stay Ahead of What’s Happening in Your Industry by Subscribing to The AGS Blog  Be the first to know about trends shaping the workforce industry. When you join, you’ll get a free digital copy of “The Universal Workforce Model™: An Outcome-First Guide to Getting Work Done.” Coauthored by industry thought leaders Simon Bradberry and Bruce Morton, this book takes you on journey to harmonized workforce management.   ![UWM_Spread (1)-min](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/hubfs/UWM_Spread%20(1)-min.png "UWM_Spread (1)-min") - [Blog Homepage](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com) # The Rise of Skilled Trades Among Gen Z Workers July 7, 2026 [![](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Max%20Waynick%20Headshot.jpg?width=40&name=Max%20Waynick%20Headshot.jpg) By Max Waynick](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/author/max-waynick) [Industry Trends](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/topic/industry-trends) For decades, the transition from high school to a four-year college degree has been widely positioned as the default pathway to economic stability in the United States. However, this paradigm is undergoing a measurable shift as members of Gen Z (born between 1997-2012) increasingly reevaluate the value of traditional higher education and pursue alternative career routes, particularly in the skilled trades. The proportion of middle and high school students intending to pursue a four-year college immediately after graduation [has declined](https://www.newsweek.com/gen-z-alpha-embrace-trade-schools-more-college-2076083) by 25 percentage points since 2018, while interest in skilled trades has doubled from 4% to 8%. Over the same period, rising tuition costs, changing labor market dynamics and evolving attitudes toward work have contributed to a growing departure from college-first trajectories, signaling a structural change in how early career decisions are made. [![Related Article Gen Z Hiring Trends - Is Your Recruitment Marketing Keeping Up?  ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/322350/interactive-216596628783.png)](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKbx1zkR8FDfGVcKlmN7VfN0%2FXUzb6TMMqLATDOPqxEb9dvXMO9e2pF6YTL9eY6zqRZUVgYvSvWLmFY2TIBotc85Zfk3GtO4Cg8OP4UPfcmOzAu1s8LOP9fywG5p3AnBYR1%2BMrnMvuJriFvALxvGPiiKtZoIt3nO7qx0yl6%2Bh9GFh6ga1Yfge7QVlNby0MwT5iuhGG6bcp3U4FHDRbFJBAt1RAZUnkfSYan7wCQ0DMjWycf1hxNLy4abxIEDn9AV9jZ5UbUy7k%3D&webInteractiveContentId=216596628783&portalId=322350) ## Why Gen Z Workers Are Running Off the College Track Market analysts at [Allegis Global Solutions](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/en) have conducted market research on Gen Z workers, high schoolers and middle school students to map out the patterns of their action and responses. From the research, we deduced the top reasons cited for choosing trade schools over traditional four-year colleges. ### Rising Costs Rising tuition costs are driving a major shift in how Gen Z workers – and those currently still in high school – evaluate post-secondary options. Many are increasingly questioning whether a four-year degree delivers a strong return on investment. [Between 2011 and 2023](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/24/gen-z-workers-opt-out-of-college-and-go-into-trades.html), the annual cost of in-state public colleges rose by about 30%, while private nonprofit institutions saw an increase of 42%. In contrast, [trade schools](https://costwhale.com/blog/trade-school-vs-college-cost) offer a much more affordable path, with total tuition ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, compared to over $100,000 in many instances for a four-year college. ### Increased Access to the Job Market The cost advantage, combined with faster and easier entry into the workforce, is driving many young adults away from the traditional college path. [Recent graduates](https://www.cengagegroup.com/news/press-releases/2025/cengage-group-2025-employability-report/) are facing growing challenges securing employment, as entry-level opportunities have become more limited and fewer roles align directly with their field of study. In contrast, strong demand across sectors such as construction, manufacturing and energy is creating more stable and immediate job opportunities for skilled trades workers. ### Rapid Path to Income Trade programs typically take anywhere from a few months to two years to complete, allowing students to begin earning income much sooner. Many programs also offer paid apprenticeships, enabling students to gain on-the-job experience while they train. This early entry point not only accelerates financial independence but also allows trade workers to build experience, income and career momentum while their college-educated peers are still completing their degrees. As a result, skilled trades are becoming an increasingly attractive option for Gen Z, particularly those focused on speed to employment, lower cost and a clearer return on investment. ## Hiring Managers Are Already Observing Signs of These Talent Shifts The growing shift of Gen Z workers and early-career talent toward skilled trades is reshaping labor supply dynamics in ways that directly impact enterprise TA and HR organizations that have traditionally relied on degree-based hiring pipelines. These companies are likely to face increased competition for talent, along with a growing mismatch between credential requirements and available labor supply. At the same time, the US labor market is experiencing a significant imbalance, with hundreds of thousands of trade roles going unfilled each year and demand continuing to outpace new entrants into apprenticeship programs. For hiring managers, these trends can lead to longer time-to-fill, increased wage pressure and reduced candidate availability. Not only in trade-adjacent roles but across broader corporate talent pools. If not proactively addressed, this evolving dynamic has the potential to constrain workforce planning and limit organizational growth. ## How to Address Evolving Skilled Talent Gaps To stay ahead of this shift, companies need to adopt a more proactive, multi-channel approach to talent strategy that expands both supply and accessibility. Here are a few best practices to incorporate into your workforce strategy to minimize the impact of this evolving labor market trend. - **Invest in early talent pipelines** beyond traditional four-year degree pathways, such as partnerships with trade schools, community colleges and apprenticeship programs to engage candidates earlier and more directly. - [**Reevaluate job requirements**](https://www.hbs.edu/bigs/joseph-fuller-college-degree-gap) by prioritizing [skills-based hiring](https://youtu.be/tYatuIJaYzY) over degree-based screening, which can significantly broaden the available talent pool. As demand for skilled and technical roles continues to grow, companies that invest in internal training and reskilling programs will be better positioned to develop adjacent or entry-level talent into hard-to-find capabilities. - **Prioritize strategic workforce planning,** which may include planning hiring efforts earlier, increasing competitive compensation where needed and leveraging more flexible workforce models, such as contingent labor and project-based hiring, to maintain agility and meet evolving business needs. Director of RPO and Direct Sourcing Jaye Denson advises businesses on the path for engaging Gen Z workers. “Winning the next generation of talent doesn’t start at the moment of hiring; I believe it starts years earlier. As Gen Z increasingly chooses skilled trades over traditional degrees, organizations need to rethink recruitment strategies to identify and engage this talent early, building a presence within trade schools, apprenticeships and community pathways. Success will come to those who invest in proactive talent acquisition, targeted outreach and [employer branding](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/en/managed-services/capabilities/ags-ignite-consulting) that meets candidates where they are, recognizing that the organizations building relationships first will ultimately secure the workforce of the future.” ## Invest Now in Your Future Workforce Ultimately, organizations that diversify their talent sources and invest in long-term pipeline development will be best positioned to navigate ongoing labor market constraints and sustain growth. As more individuals prioritize skilled trades over traditional four-year degrees, employers will face tightening talent pools across both skilled and professional roles, driven by structural supply-demand imbalances and shifting worker preferences. With hundreds of thousands of trade roles already going unfilled and demand continuing to outpace supply, competition for early-career talent is expected to intensify across industries. Success will depend on adapting talent strategies to this new reality, expanding pipelines, embracing skills-based hiring and investing in workforce development to remain competitive in an increasingly constrained and evolving labor market. [![Ready to Develop a Strategy For the Future of Workforce Engagement? Contact Our Workforce Experts  ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/322350/interactive-216596628834.png)](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLiQlu9YXGnVe%2FsUtawD74w9xES%2BTGxJboaiqsBjB6RpP5SIcVIPw%2FBSld05QM5Nu46jEPofzFnLmmUPC6rujiHWBqLVU0yxCvPtN8ARaqo8VlRTZBdXQ9nH1X6iLhZ7gacl8RRM3dv5NKYMzQtlrfgFBoDTuY3YJHC7ez91%2FHAQpB0du7mhOtVFyv6d7EESxmNi2%2FOMvnhHxOlRBgbNlk%3D&webInteractiveContentId=216596628834&portalId=322350)   ![subscribe](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/hubfs/subscribe.svg "subscribe") ### Insights to Stay Ahead Stay up to date with the latest trends shaping the talent industry. Get weekly insights delivered straight to your inbox. [Sign me up](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/rise-of-skilled-trades-among-gen-z-workers#open-subscribe-form) Search Search ### Related Articles [![](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI%20Orchestration%20Starts%20With%20Work%2c%20Not%20Technology%20-%20Thumbnail.png?width=370&name=AI%20Orchestration%20Starts%20With%20Work%2c%20Not%20Technology%20-%20Thumbnail.png)](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/ai-and-orchestration-start-with-the-work-not-technology) [Industry Trends](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/topic/industry-trends) ##### [AI and Orchestration Start with the Work, Not Technology](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/ai-and-orchestration-start-with-the-work-not-technology) July 01, 2026 [![](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DCE/Headshots%20and%20Signatures/Headshot_Simon-Bradberry_500x500.png?width=25&name=Headshot_Simon-Bradberry_500x500.png) By Simon Bradberry](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/author/simon-bradberry) [Industry Trends](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/topic/industry-trends) At the most recent CWS Summit Europe, I had the opportunity to moderate a panel, “Getting Work Done: Orchestrating with AI.” It... 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By the time a requisition gets approved, the skills that it... ### More topics to explore - [Contingent Workforce (83)](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/topic/contingent-workforce) - [Talent Acquisition (76)](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/topic/talent-acquisition) - [Industry Trends (66)](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/topic/industry-trends) - [Workforce Technology (32)](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/topic/workforce-technology) - [Procurement Management (17)](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/topic/procurement-management) - [Universal Workforce Model (16)](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/topic/universal-workforce-model) - [Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (5)](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/topic/diversity-equity-inclusion) Did you enjoy this article? If so, please share. [Share on facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/rise-of-skilled-trades-among-gen-z-workers&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [Share on linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/rise-of-skilled-trades-among-gen-z-workers&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [Share on twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/rise-of-skilled-trades-among-gen-z-workers&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/rise-of-skilled-trades-among-gen-z-workers&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) ![](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Max%20Waynick%20Headshot.jpg?width=160&name=Max%20Waynick%20Headshot.jpg) Written by [Max Waynick](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/author/max-waynick) Max Waynick is a market analytics analyst at Allegis Global Solutions, where he focuses on labor market trends and dynamics with a specialization in economic trends shaping the future of work. He brings a data-driven perspective to complex workforce questions, translating market signals into clear, actionable insights that inform talent strategy and business decision-making. Max's work spans a broad range of emerging labor issues, connecting economic indicators to the evolving needs of organizations and the people who power them. ![subscribe](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/hubfs/subscribe.svg "subscribe") [Subscribe](https://blog.allegisglobalsolutions.com/rise-of-skilled-trades-among-gen-z-workers#open-subscribe-form) ## About Us We’re the leading provider of workforce solutions. Meet Allegis Global Solutions. [About Us](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/about-us) ## Contact Us A smarter way to work begins with a conversation. Let’s talk. [Contact Us](https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/about-us/contact-us) ## Careers Passionate about bettering the world of work? Join us. 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