Young Entrepreneurs Choosing the Trades: The Rise of Jacob Palmer
At just 23 years old, Jacob Palmer exemplifies a growing trend among young adults: forging successful careers in the skilled trades instead of pursuing traditional college degrees. In 2024, Palmer launched his own electrical company, Palmer Electrical, following his early days as an apprentice electrician. This path emerged after he realized that college wasn’t where he felt he belonged. In his own words, "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 shared in a CBS News interview.
A New Perspective on Skilled Trades
Palmer’s story resonates with many others in his generation. With the rising costs of college tuition and the weight of student loan debt—over 57% of Gen Zers express concerns about this burden, according to Jobber’s Blue-Collar Report—there’s a noticeable shift towards skilled trades. Young adults are recognizing that careers like electricians, plumbers, and welders not only offer lucrative opportunities but also provide a sense of security in an uncertain job market.
The Allure of Job Security in a Digital Age
The growing presence of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) threatens many entry-level jobs that would traditionally go to freshly minted college grads. A staggering 77% of Gen Zers have voiced the importance of pursuing jobs that are resistant to automation. In surveys, many cite skilled trades, such as carpentry and plumbing, as safe from the encroachment of technology—contrasting starkly with fields like software development and data analytics that often feel precarious.
Changing Attitudes Toward Vocational Work
Historically, most young people viewed trades as less desirable. Economic and social pressures, combined with parental advice, led many to believe that bachelor’s degrees were the only paths to success. However, the current landscape suggests that this perception is evolving. David Asay, president of Advantage Reline, stated, "The perception among that younger group is no longer, ‘Oh, you’re working construction, you didn’t go to school?’ It’s, ‘What a cool skillset. You’re making a good career path.’"
The High Cost of College
The average college cost in the U.S. now exceeds $38,000 annually, and it can climb closer to $60,000 for private institutions, making higher education prohibitively expensive for many families. Accounting for student loans, the financial toll of pursuing a bachelor’s degree can surpass $500,000. This financial burden puts college graduates at risk in a job market increasingly affected by AI, which has led to noticeable increases in unemployment rates for recent grads.
The Resilience of Trade Workers
While many professions struggle, non-college-educated workers have reported minimal shifts in job security. According to an analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, unemployment for workers aged 23-27 with no college education has barely increased, rarely surpassing 0.5%, in stark contrast to the near 4.6% jobless rate for their college-educated peers.
Embracing the Future: Opportunities in Trades
Jacobs Palmer’s early success is indicative of a larger trend in the skilled trades. His company is projected to see more than $150,000 in revenue this year, a significant increase from the $90,000 he generated in his first year. He attributes this success to the inherent job security the trade offers and his belief that "I don’t feel overly threatened by the growth of AI in my industry."
This growing sense of security is echoed by aspiring tradespeople like Kayden Evans, an 18-year-old high school senior interning at a heavy equipment company. Evans plans to enter an apprenticeship right after high school, confident that a career in the trades offers stability that other fields may not. "AI can’t go out in the field and take apart an engine," he noted, highlighting the unique, hands-on nature of skilled trade work.
A Bright Future for Skilled Trades
The narrative around skilled trades is shifting, with increasing numbers of young people seeing them as viable career paths. As awareness grows regarding the benefits of vocational training—both financial and job security—the world of skilled trades continues to welcome determined individuals like Jacob Palmer and Kayden Evans. The future might just be brighter for today’s tradesmen and tradeswomen, who are not only redefining their own careers but also changing the societal norms surrounding vocational work.
