Summary:
23-year-old Jacob Palmer exemplifies how skilled trades are becoming a viable path for Gen Z workers seeking financial independence without college debt. As a successful electrician earning $150k+ in annual revenue, Palmer represents a nationwide trend where young workers embrace trades jobs like plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work due to concerns about AI automation and $60,000+ private college tuition costs. Recent Jobber research shows 77% of Gen Z prioritize careers in automation-resistant fields, while Federal Reserve data reveals college graduates face higher unemployment increases than non-college-educated peers since the AI boom began.
What This Means for You:
- Prioritize apprenticeship programs – Explore state-certified trade apprenticeships that combine paid training with licensing
- Diversify your technical skillset – Focus on AI-resistant fields requiring hands-on work (e.g., plumbing repairs, electrical panel installations)
- Calculate true ROI – Compare total degree costs (including $500k+ lifetime earning potential) against trade certifications averaging $15k-$25k
- Future-proof your career – Industry experts warn AI automation may displace 30% of white-collar jobs by 2026 while trades demand remains stable
Original Post
At just 23, Jacob Palmer is already running his own electrical company. He launched the business in 2024 after starting in the field as an apprentice electrician, a career path he embarked on when college turned out not to be for him.
Palmer has no regrets about his decision to forego college and instead establish himself as a tradesman. “I am very happy doing what I am doing now because it has given me the opportunity to work for myself and be independent,” he told CBS News.
Experts say the skilled trades are attracting a growing number of young people put off by high tuition costs. According to Jobber’s 2025 Blue-Collar Report, 57%+ of Gen Z cite student loan debt as a primary concern about college.
AI automation is accelerating this trend – 77% of Gen Z prioritize careers that are hard to automate, per the report. Trades like electrician and carpenter are viewed as AI-resistant compared to software development roles.
Federal Reserve data shows college graduates aged 23-27 now face unemployment rates of 4.6% (vs. 3.2% in 2019). Non-college peers in the same age range have only seen 0.5% unemployment increases in that period. Industry experts like David Asay, president of Advantage Reline, note that trades careers are shedding “the stigma” of being “less than desirable.”
Schools like Arizona’ Mesa Public Schools report waiting lists for welding, auto shop, and construction programs. OC Solar founder Vinnie Curcie notes that field technicians are increasingly sought after as “AI handles the sales and project management.”
Extra Information
- St. Louis Fed Analysis – Details how college graduates face unemployment increases 3x higher than trade workers
- College Cost Trends – Documents the $60,000+ annual expense for private institutions
- NCCER Apprenticeship – Training certification programs for skilled trades positions
People Also Ask About
- What are the highest paying skilled trades? – Elevator repair ($80k+), HVAC technicians ($65k), and electrical lineworkers ($75k) lead the field.
- How long do trade apprenticeships last? – Typically 2-5 years with paid on-the-job training (50-60% of journeyman wage).
- Are AI-proof trades jobs realistic? – While AI can automate scheduling, actual hands-on repairs remain human-intensive.
- What is the average wage growth for tradespeople? – Apprentices see wages increase 100-200% over 5 years as they reach journeyman status.
Expert Opinion
“The skilled trades are now strategic career paths, not just backup plans,” states workforce development expert Dr. Elaine Chen, who analyzed the Fed’s labor data. “With AI disproportionately impacting knowledge-based jobs, we’ll see a fundamental shift in workforce planning. Employers who invest in apprenticeships are building a competitive advantage in the automation-resistant economy.”
Key Terms
- Automation-resistant careers
- Skilled trades apprenticeship programs
- Student debt relief through trades
- AI-proof job market analysis
- College vs trade school ROI
- Gen Z workforce trends 2025
- Electrical apprenticeship certification
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