For decades, young Americans were told that economic security followed a predictable path: earn a four-year degree, get a white-collar job, and build a career.
A 2026 skilled trades survey from Simply Wise suggests Gen Z is becoming less certain that the formula still works.
What’s driving the shift? AI appears to be playing a role.
Many respondents viewed software developers, accountants, and graphic designers as more vulnerable to AI disruption than electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. In fact, more current college students said skilled trades feel safer than office jobs in an AI-driven future.
The bigger story isn’t that Gen Z suddenly loves the trades. It’s that a generation raised to believe a college degree was the safest path to success is beginning to question that assumption.
Whether these perceptions prove correct remains to be seen. But if more young adults begin viewing skilled trades as a source of stability, income, and long-term opportunity, it could have meaningful implications for the future construction workforce.
Read the full survey results: The June 2026 SimplyWise Trades & Technology Index
