I can honestly say that if I was 18 now, there is no way I would go to university only to leave with huge debts and poor job prospects. Instead, I would become an electrician or similar trade.
For all the energy being spent on whether AI will eliminate white-collar jobs, I believe that business leaders are missing a much bigger story: AI won't replace skilled trades-it will require more of them, and most importantly, make them better. That's not a nice-to-have. It's a necessity as the trades workforce ages, retirements accelerate, and fewer new workers enter the pipeline.
Business Insider looked at wages and growth projections for jobs that usually need a high school diploma, its equivalent, or a postsecondary nondegree award. We then took the geometric mean of the ones that pay at least $75,000, based on 2024 median annual wage data, and are expected to need more workers, based on projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034. We then ranked the jobs, with the larger the geometric mean, the better the rank.
The role has a median annual salary of $106,580, only requiring a high school diploma, apprenticeship completion, and a state certification, according to a new report from Resume Genius analyzing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The study placed transportation, storage, and distribution managers in second; by pursuing an entry-level role in logistics, new hires can put themselves on track to earn $102,010 per year.
In an statement Friday, the OINP office said it had identified systemic misrepresentation and/or fraud related to the eligibility requirements of the skilled trades stream of the program. The OINP director then decided to suspend the skilled trades stream, the statement said, and return all outstanding applications under it something protesters say has left hundreds of workers in limbo on their status in Canada.
Carhartt, the Dearborn, Michigan-based brand with a 136-year heritage, is making its long-awaited entry into Manhattan by opening its first New York City store in the Flatiron District. The expansive 5,000-square-foot location at 936 Broadway was strategically chosen for its accessibility to the local community, preferring the area's blue-collar core over higher-profile spots like the Empire State Building. Chief Brand Officer Susan Hennike confirmed that, despite popular belief, New York City hosts a vast population of skilled tradespeople-carpenters, electricians, and construction workers-who are the brand's core demographic. The new store, the company's 57th globally, is part of a plan to reach 100 units by 2030, with a focus on locations that remain "brand right."
"At Carhartt, we believe every moment, big or small, starts with dedicated people showing up and putting in the work. Made Possible is our way of honoring the tradespeople who keep the world moving. They may not always be in the spotlight, but everything we cherish and love is made possible through their hard work."
Michael Castro expressed pride from his parents about being accepted into the competitive six-week Muni internship program, which provides hands-on experiences in welding and maintenance.
"Artificial intelligence is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the US," Farley said. That's why, he said, more people are looking to the skilled trades.
