As manufacturers worry about building a more future-proof workforce, early career Gen Zers are facing their own job path worries. Rising uncertainty about the impact of AI, plus increased doubts on the value of traditional four-year degrees, are dominating critical “what’s next” conversations and decisions.
These dual forces are also helping create a generational opportunity for American manufacturers to attract and retain the talent they need to sharpen their competitive edge.
“I Want to Go for a Career that Robots Can’t Take”
The June 2026 SimplyWise Trades & Technology Index shared the results of surveyed students, recent graduates, and early career employees across the Gen Z demographic on concerns about AI, jobs, and their future. Unsurprisingly, the data signals enormous uncertainty ahead.
However, the report highlighted a growing respect for skilled trades, with 52% of current college students reporting that skilled trades feel safer than office jobs in an AI future. Additionally, skilled trades was named the most respected career path by all respondents. Other key insights from the study include:
- Half of Gen Z say AI has already changed how they think about their future career.
- Trade school or apprenticeship edges out a four-year degree, 34% to 23%, as the path perceived as the most likely to deliver financial stability by age 30.
- Almost half (46%) of all respondents say the trades feel safer than office jobs in an AI future, but the number rises to 70% among those who are currently working in or pursuing a career in skilled trades.
For manufacturing companies, this evolution in attitudes highlights a huge opportunity to attract and retain the talent needed to rebuild the industrial workforce of the future. While manufacturing has often struggled to entice many younger generation workers, a July 2026 Jobber report states 52% of parents of Gen Alpha believe the skilled trades offer a better return on investment than a college degree.
Peering Through the Gen Z Lens
The SimplyWise report asked 1,200 adults aged 18-29 about their worries concerning AI and its impact on career choices. It also probed attitudes about post-high school education paths and the value of traditional 4-year degrees. The results show that Gen Zers know the future is changing, and they’re willing to adapt along with it.
One respondent commented, “I think about going to school for [a] trade and choosing a job that will give me a comfortable lifestyle."
Career planning now runs through an AI filter
While the world waits to understand its full impact, 50% of Gen Zers are already making decisions with AI displacement in mind. As a result, some traditional office careers are being viewed with greater skepticism, with other career paths being reconsidered for their AI resilience.
"Well, considering I work in IT it’s kind of nerve-wracking thinking [that] my position will soon not be needed,” one survey respondent shared. Forced to pick the safer bet, 46% of respondents chose skilled trades over office jobs (20%). For current college students, that split widens even further. Fifty-two percent of these students see trades as more AI-proof, and only 17% see office jobs the same way. Respondents were also asked to rank potential jobs for ‘AI exposure.’
Occupations at Risk from AI Over Next 10 Years
Gen Z sees office jobs as far more exposed to AI than the trades.
Source: SimplyWise Trades & Technology Index, June 2026.
Shrinking Stigma About Trades
Probably unsurprisingly, uncertainty about the longevity of traditional career paths means old preconceptions about non-corporate or office work are being revisited. Two-thirds of respondents would encourage a friend their age to consider a skilled trade, with 7 of 10 saying respect for those roles has risen over the last few years.
A report from Jobber finds Gen Z adults and parents of Gen Alpha worried too. Fifty-five percent think high schools do not treat skilled trades paths as seriously as college. Additionally, 92% of Gen Alpha parents said they would encourage their child to pursue a skilled trade career if they were interested, and 93% said they would financially support trade school the same way they would a four-year degree. More than two-thirds (68%) of those parents said AI has made them rethink the long-term stability of office or professional careers.
Ranking Career Choices by Respectability
Skilled trades now rank as the single most respected career path – ahead of tech and AI.
Source: SimplyWise Trades & Technology Index, June 2026.
From Other Data: Manufacturing Meaning in Work
Beyond worries about job stability, Gen Zers are increasingly indicating that digital fatigue extends well past AI uncertainty. Three of four respondents in a recent Forbes/Supplyhouse report associated desk jobs with “burnout,” and 1 of 4 is considering a pivot away from that environment.
This fatigue is also showing up in a return to crafting and other decidedly analog interests. Seventy percent of Gen Z respondents said they are purposely seeking offline activities, and Hobbycraft’s Power of Making report says 30% of Gen Z crafters said they do it to support mental wellbeing, twice the rate of other age groups. Searches for so-called “analog hobbies” are up 160%.
Office Job 2.0: Non-Production Roles of the Future
For Gen Zers still seeking office / professional roles, manufacturing has jobs waiting. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the sector employed more than 12 million workers in June 2026, with an estimated 3.8 million of those in non-production/supervisory roles.
Generative AI and automation tools are pushing work at manufacturing companies into higher-value roles across finance, legal, sales, marketing, HR, and risk areas, creating new opportunities for workers. Many changing roles in the industry will require technical fluency, adaptability, and continuous learning – exactly the kinds of skills Gen Z can bring to the organization.
Projected Employment Change by Role, 2024-2034
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2024–34 National Employment Matrix. Occupational Outlook Handbook. "Fastest Declining Occupations" data table.
Once candidates are attracted to industry, both employers and employees are looking for stability. According to BLS, the manufacturing industry offers the second highest median tenure in the private sector at 4.9 years. As for industry growth, economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in July for the seventh consecutive month, states the latest ISM Manufacturing PMI Report.
Manufacturers stand uniquely positioned to offer Gen Z and Gen Alpha numerous roles for many talents and skills paths. These advanced manufacturing positions and back-office roles to support the business offer job stability and fulfillment young job seekers need, and they’re also critical to future competitiveness. It’s an ideal match.
What It Means to Manufacturing: A Generational Opportunity
Manufacturers already know the next hiring wave must be focused on replacing and transforming. A wave of experienced workers are on their way out, taking decades of expertise with them. The timing aligns with manufacturers redoubling efforts to modernize, transform, and accelerate.
It’s not just about the number of open roles either, rather the kind of work is changing. As production line jobs fall, and digital and technology roles increase, manufacturers need large numbers of new workers, but they also need new skills. Gen Z has a digital background and is a large enough workforce to help close that gap.
So, what should manufacturers be doing? Gen Z’s uncertainty about their future is an opportunity for U.S.-based manufacturers. Gen Z wants to find the path to good jobs, and manufacturers need to fill many of those same roles.
But it’s not just young workers who need to adapt; manufacturers need to evolve as well.
Modernize your manufacturing narrative
Beyond upgrades to essential physical and digital systems, companies must also update their narrative infrastructure. Gen Zers need to understand the modern manufacturing workplace has changed significantly. This means confronting and correcting misconceptions put in place by peers, culture, and sometimes their own family.
It also means ensuring that recruiting and outreach properly position manufacturing roles as being AI-resilient and future-proof. Organizations should also highlight modern equipment, digital workflows, and the opportunity to work with (not against AI).
Formalize and promote middle skill pathways
Both the SimplyWise data and other reports consistently show Gen Zers are targeting new kinds of jobs requiring a middle skills path, where a traditional 4-year degree isn’t required.
Manufacturers must work to formalize and promote these jobs reachable via the middle path. Stanley Black & Decker has invested $27 million of the $60 million they pledged to skilled trades training programs through 2030. And BlackRock, Carhartt, Ford, and Google announced an initiative to expand access to skilled workforce training. Companies should also ensure they’re maximizing federal and state incentives available to manufacturers, such as the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund that pays up to $3,500 per apprentice.
Reach young learners earlier
Smart manufacturers are finding ways to reach younger students who are beginning to evaluate their own future career goals. National Institutes of Health data shows that introducing children to robotics and related fields in early childhood doesn’t just build skills; it naturally increases interest in related coursework and career fields.
Manufacturers should be thinking beyond traditional job fairs as they find ways to engage with local students who are already passionate about the technology-forward careers that will drive tomorrow’s manufacturers. Companies should reach out to schools, robotics clubs, and other organizations to engage these learners.
Capturing Gen Zers’ Attention
Generative AI, large language models, advanced automation, and other technologies arrived as American manufacturing faced an inflection point. Remaining competitive requires transforming the workforce and workplace to integrate innovation while maximizing the impact of human talent.
As demand for the skilled trades outpaces professional roles by a factor of 3X, young students are pursuing post-high school education tracks that follow opportunities into the trades and manufacturing industries.
As the SimplyWise data shows us, demand for new skills is already impacting Gen Z decision-making, and increased AI uncertainty will probably only increase questions about successful future career paths. Tomorrow’s manufacturing leaders will be those organizations who stand ready with answers.
