AI Threat Drives Gen Z Shift to Blue-Collar Training Nationwide

Amid growing concerns about AI threatening white-collar and entry-level jobs, young people are increasingly turning to blue-collar job training, particularly in skilled trades like HVAC, where human skills remain essential. Trade school enrollment is projected to grow annually by 6.6%, with vocational program registrations at community colleges rising nearly 20% since 2020, driven by competitive salaries and the avoidance of student debt averaging $43,000. A Stanford study highlights that early-career workers in AI-exposed roles such as software development have seen employment declines, while older workers in these fields have remained stable or grown, making entry-level positions harder for younger workers to secure. Despite AI's disruption, wages have not increased significantly, intensifying challenges for young workers. Meanwhile, educational systems risk exacerbating future workforce mismatches by focusing on teaching skills easily automated by AI, potentially preparing students for jobs that may soon be obsolete. This combination of factors is driving a notable shift toward vocational careers perceived as more secure and financially viable in an AI-reshaped labor market.