The workforce is at a critical crossroads. While attention often focuses on the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and tech careers, a growing skills gap in essential sectors—plumbing, welding, electrical work, and HVAC services—is becoming a national crisis. Addressing this shortage requires a significant shift in societal perception and more investment in vocational training to ensure economic sustainability.
The Skilled Worker Shortage: A Pressing Reality
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are over 7 million unfilled jobs in the U.S., a significant number of which are in the skilled trades. By 2028, an additional 500,000 electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians will be needed. The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) reports that while 7,000 new electricians enter the field annually, 10,000 retire annually. This growing gap is unsustainable and risks critical infrastructure projects and day-to-day services.
Will Betances, founder of Energize Us Edu Inc., is working to address this crisis. In 2018, Betances grew a seven-figure electrical contracting business and established the institute in 2022 to develop a pipeline of skilled workers. Through apprenticeships and workforce development programs, Energize Us Edu aims to offer long-term career opportunities while reducing the stigma around blue-collar trades.
Beyond the College-for-All Mentality
One of the core issues driving the skilled labor shortage is the societal emphasis on four-year college degrees as the primary path to success. This cultural bias has not only fueled a national student debt crisis but has also devalued vocational careers. Many young people view trades as less prestigious than white-collar roles, even though this perception is increasingly out of touch with reality.
Mike Rowe, former host of Dirty Jobs and founder of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, has been a vocal advocate for challenging this mindset. When I met him at the ConnexFM Annual Convention earlier this year, he shared that his foundation provides scholarships for students pursuing trade careers, highlighting the financial and personal rewards these paths can offer. Rowe has famously said that “work is not the enemy” and that success doesn’t necessarily hinge on a four-year degree. Rowe’s efforts, along with those of organizations like Energize Us Edu, are helping shift the narrative and draw attention to the lucrative and meaningful careers in skilled trades.
The Economic Advantages of Skilled Trades
Financially, the benefits of pursuing a trade career are compelling. Skilled tradespeople often earn competitive salaries without the financial burden of student loans. For example, according to ZipRecruiter, welders earn an average of $48,000 annually, while experienced electricians and plumbers can earn $60,000 to $90,000 per year. In contrast, many college graduates face tens of thousands of dollars in debt while struggling to find jobs in their fields.
The return on investment (ROI) for trade school is equally appealing. A four-year college degree can cost upwards of $100,000, whereas trade school programs typically cost between $5,000 and $20,000. Additionally, trade school graduates enter the workforce faster, with job-ready skills that allow them to start earning much sooner than their college-bound counterparts. Betances has created a scalable education model to address the shortage. It offers a four-year curriculum focused on electrical and solar trade training, with apprenticeship programs designed to give students hands-on experience while preparing them for state licensure. His strategy includes partnering with electrical contractors to train employees after hours, ensuring businesses can continue operations while developing a more skilled workforce.
Skilled Trades in the Age of AI: A Safe Bet
As AI and automation disrupt industries worldwide, concerns over job displacement are growing. However, skilled trades remain relatively immune to these shifts. Jobs like plumbing, welding, and electrical work involve complex problem-solving, creativity, and manual dexterity—skills machines cannot easily replicate. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report reinforces this point, noting that while many sectors will experience job losses due to automation, roles that require manual labor and direct customer interaction will remain in demand. This makes trade jobs not only stable but future-proof.
The Role of Vocational Training and Education
To close the skilled worker gap, the U.S. must prioritize vocational education. High schools and community colleges must offer more robust trade programs, and vocational paths should be promoted as viable and lucrative career options. Unfortunately, trade education has often been underfunded and overshadowed by the push for college degrees. However, enrollment in vocational programs is rising, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Partnerships between educational institutions and trade organizations can play a key role in providing students with hands-on experience and a clear path to certification. For example, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) have created apprenticeship programs that train and prepare workers for certification. These programs give students the practical skills they need to succeed while filling the pipeline of skilled workers.
Investment in Infrastructure and Workforce Development
Addressing the skilled labor shortage requires substantial investment, not just in education but also in infrastructure. As the U.S. embarks on rebuilding roads, bridges, and public utilities, the need for skilled workers will become even more urgent. However, the opportunities created by these projects can only be realized if there are enough trained professionals to meet the demand.
The private sector also has a crucial role to play. Businesses that rely on skilled labor must invest in workforce development by offering apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and competitive wages. By developing their workers and creating pathways to career advancement, companies can build loyalty and reduce turnover, ultimately increasing their long-term profitability.
A Path Forward: The Blue-Collar Renaissance
The skilled worker shortage isn’t just an economic challenge; it’s a cultural one. To solve this crisis, society must elevate blue-collar trades to their rightful place as respected, essential careers. Leaders like Mike Rowe and Will Betances are helping to destigmatize these roles and spotlight their financial and professional rewards.
Now is the time for a blue-collar renaissance. By shifting our collective mindset, investing in vocational training, and celebrating the vital work of tradespeople, we can solve the labor shortage and create a more resilient, prosperous future.
The next generation of skilled workers is waiting—ready to take on the essential jobs that power our homes, businesses, and communities. It’s time to give them the tools, training, and respect they deserve.