Gen Z choosing trades over college
For decades, the traditional roadmap to success has been clear: graduate high school, earn a four-year college degree, and land a stable job. But Generation Z — those born between 1997 and 2012 — is breaking this mold. More and more Gen Z adults are now choosing trade schools and vocational training instead of enrolling in traditional colleges. Their reasons? Financial freedom, job stability, and a desire for hands-on learning.
Gen Z’s Shift Toward Skilled Trades
A recent survey by Resume Builder (May 2025) revealed a powerful shift: nearly 40% of Gen Z adults are pursuing careers in the skilled trades. Even more surprising, 37% of those with college degrees are leaving their current paths to enter trades like plumbing, nursing, and electrical work.
This trend isn’t just a fad — it’s a response to real-world challenges and a fresh perspective on what success looks like.
Why Are Gen Z Adults Choosing Trades?
1. Avoiding the Burden of Student Debt
One of the biggest factors pushing Gen Z toward trades is the high cost of college education. Four-year university programs often come with massive tuition fees, leaving students with decades of loan repayments. Gen Z, having seen millennials struggle under student debt, are making smarter, more cost-effective choices.
Trade schools are typically shorter and more affordable, allowing students to graduate faster and start earning sooner — often without any debt.
2. Job Security in a Fast-Changing World
Automation and AI are reshaping white-collar industries. But skilled trades — like plumbing, electrical work, and nursing — are hands-on and essential, making them harder to automate or outsource.
Take Paulethia Bryant, for example. After working in the unpredictable tech and crypto industries, she decided to train as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Erwin Technical College. Her new career offers stability, purpose, and long-term demand. “The skills we’re learning will always be needed,” she says.
Bryant also points out that her teachers have been in the same program since the 1980s. “That shows you the sustainability of the trade,” she adds.
The Benefits of Hands-On Learning
Many Gen Z students prefer practical, skill-based learning over theory-heavy lectures. Trade schools offer a direct path to careers, where students can see the results of their efforts immediately.
Real-World Experience From Day One
Bryant’s 15-month LPN course has given her not only medical knowledge but also valuable friendships and teamwork experiences. “I’m the oldest in my class,” she says, “but I’m surrounded by 18- and 19-year-olds who are just starting their careers. It’s inspiring.”
Young Students Embracing Skilled Careers
Another Erwin student, Paula Perez (19), was influenced by her sister’s journey through trade school. She chose a hands-on path because it was straightforward, impactful, and offered job-ready skills. “It was definitely a good choice for me,” she says.
Gen Z’s Entrepreneurial Spirit
Many Gen Z individuals aren’t just looking for jobs — they want to be their own boss. Trades like hairdressing, HVAC, carpentry, and electrical work are perfect for starting small businesses.
This generation values independence and flexibility, and by learning a skilled trade, they gain both. Owning a trade business allows them to control their income, schedule, and future, unlike climbing a rigid corporate ladder.
A Smarter, Sustainable Career Choice
Choosing trades over college isn’t just a personal decision — it reflects a wider shift in how Gen Z views success. They are thinking long-term and recognizing that trades offer:
Lower education costs
Faster entry into the workforce
Job security and high demand
Opportunities for entrepreneurship
Real-world impact and fulfillment
As industries evolve, the need for skilled workers — electricians, plumbers, nurses, mechanics, and more — remains strong and steady. Gen Z is stepping up to meet that demand, not just for themselves, but for society at large.
Conclusion: The Rise of the “Toolbelt Generation”
Generation Z is rewriting the rules of success. By choosing vocational training and skilled trades, they are prioritizing financial freedom, meaningful work, and long-term stability.
The so-called “toolbelt generation” is crafting a new future — one built not just on ambition, but on practical skills, smart decisions, and the courage to break tradition.