The Pandemic Shift Away from College
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a significant trend: young Americans are increasingly choosing skilled trades over traditional four-year college degrees. This shift is driven by rising education costs, job market uncertainty, and the tangible benefits of trade careers.
Success Stories
Jacob Palmer exemplifies this movement. After abandoning online college during the pandemic, the North Carolina native became an electrician's apprentice at $15/hour. By age 21, he had passed his licensing exam and launched Palmer Electrical. His one-man operation grossed nearly $90,000 in its first year (2024) and has already exceeded that in 2025. Now 23, Palmer is debt-free, booked a month in advance, and earning additional income through YouTube content creation.
Itzcoatl Aguilar, a 19-year-old HVAC technician from Southern California, took a similar path. Home-schooled and working in trades since age 16, he's building toward entrepreneurship while growing his YouTube channel "EwokDoesHVAC" to nearly 30,000 subscribers.
Market Demand and Economics
The numbers support this career pivot:
- Job Growth: Skilled trades are expanding faster than the 4% average for all occupations, with electricians (11%), HVAC technicians (9%), and plumbers (6%) leading demand through 2033
- Education Costs: College tuition has tripled over 30 years, averaging $11,610 annually for in-state public schools versus trade programs rarely exceeding $15,000 total
- Industry Boom: Data center construction for AI infrastructure is creating massive demand for electricians and construction workers
Changing Attitudes
Educators like Marlo Loria from Mesa Public Schools report students increasingly questioning the value proposition of college debt versus immediate earning potential in trades. Social media has amplified this shift, showcasing successful "blue-collar influencers" and entrepreneurs who've built wealth through skilled trades.
The Entrepreneurial Appeal
Both Palmer and Aguilar emphasize the entrepreneurial opportunities in trades. Palmer leverages YouTube for additional revenue streams, while Aguilar sees his HVAC skills as a foundation for future business ownership. The combination of technical skills, licensing, and digital marketing creates multiple pathways to financial independence.
The Trade-Off
Success in trades requires dedication and long hours. Palmer took only one week of vacation in his first year of business, acknowledging that "if I stop, the checks go to zero." However, for many Gen Z workers, this trade-off of immediate earning potential and entrepreneurial control outweighs the uncertainty of college debt and traditional employment.
This trend reflects a broader recalibration of career expectations, where practical skills, immediate income, and entrepreneurial freedom are increasingly valued over traditional credentialism.