DEWALT Aims to Educate and Inspire Young Pros During National Apprenticeship Week
A new survey released from DEWALT found that high schoolers enrolled in skilled trades programs are fully committed to their future career (68%), but faced challenges accessing critical training with 52% of students reporting they were placed on a waitlist. Once enrolled, 55% participated in internships, 47% in mentorship opportunities, and 46% have had real work experience highlighting the value of technical training programs in fostering skilled career development.
DEWALT commissioned the study, Gen Z in the Skilled Trades, ahead of National Apprenticeship Week (November 17-23, 2024). The survey explored Gen Z’s (those born 1997-2012) commitment to skilled trades and identified which obstacles might stand in the way of establishing a lifelong career in the field. Participants, all pre-apprentices in the U.S., were students ages 14-18 enrolled in either a trade or vocational school, or a skilled trades training program at their local high school.
“Annual hiring in the U.S. for critical skilled trades roles could be more than 20 times the projected annual increase in net new jobs from 2022-2032*, as Gen Z enters the workforce,” said Maria Ford, President, Commercial & Industrial, DEWALT. “Skilled trades jobs play an essential role in our country’s infrastructure and economy, and through our Grow The Trades initiative, DEWALT is committed to meeting the demand Gen Z is driving for training and educational funding. This is a call to the industry to embrace this generation’s passion and their needs to remain lifelong tradespeople.”
Gen Z Is Gaining Early Exposure and is Optimistic
The survey found that 80% of students were first introduced to a career in the trades by 15. More than a quarter were exposed at age 13 or younger.
The majority of students who took the next step and enrolled in skilled trades education feel optimistic about their career choice with 77% somewhat to extremely optimistic. Those around them, particularly their parents as well as their friends, are also positive about careers in the trades. In fact, 80% of respondents say their parents view careers in the trades somewhat to extremely positively. Seventy-one percent say the same of their friends.
Gen Z’s Optimism is Validated by Employment Prospects
In addition to feeling optimistic about their career choice, students are also confident about future job opportunities. The majority of respondents (84%) believe they will be hired immediately following graduation. More than two-thirds (67%) have already had conversations with potential employers who expressed an interest in hiring them.
Key Barriers: Access to Training and Workplaces That Align with Generational Values
Beyond access to training, key concerns include the cost of trade school (43%), availability of networking opportunities (39%), finding time for class and related class work (35%), and access to equipment and tools for successful training (33%).
Survey results also show another set of barriers awaiting the Gen Z cohort once they are in full-time positions. Gen Z’s value system differs from that of Boomers and Gen X, the generations they’ll encounter in many management positions. The majority of respondents, for example, rated work-life balance (85%) and a caring boss (79%) as somewhat or extremely important expectations of a future job, a likely departure from previous generations’ expectations.
Meeting Gen Z’s Expectations is Critical for Retention
While this generation is committed, one in three students say they will leave the skilled trades entirely if the industry does not meet their expectations. Among Gen Z’s most critical needs to stay in the field are a positive work-life balance (37%) and a clear path to advancement (35%).
View more survey findings here bit.ly/dewaltgenz.
National Apprenticeship Week Activities
As part of its National Apprenticeship Week celebration, DEWALT is hosting an event on November 20 and 21. The event is to inspire and educate pre-apprentices about career opportunities in the trades. Attending are 150+ pre-apprentices from technical schools in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
The students will interact with DEWALT and industry leaders through an expert panel of tradespeople and representatives from trades education-focused non-profits, a tour of DEWALT’s research and development labs with engineers building cutting edge tools and technology, and demonstrations of the latest innovation at DEWALT’s national training hub, Stanley Black & Decker University. All activities aim to help young attendees learn more about career paths in the trades and the resources available to support them.
DEWALT is also awarding trade scholarships to pre-apprentices and those pursuing trades education. Applications are now open here: DEWALT Trades Scholarship. Through its annual Grow The Trades Grants, DEWALT is investing in organizations that are expanding their technical education programs. This is to help meet the demand for trades training.
To learn more about DEWALT’s Grow The Trades initiative, 100th Anniversary, products and solutions, visit: www.DEWALT.com.
