Most people see skilled trades as essential to society but believe they remain undervalued and underrepresented, especially among younger generations, according to a new Harris Poll.
The June 2025 survey of 2,203 U.S. adults found 91 per cent agree trade jobs are just as important as white-collar work, yet 86 per cent believe they are overlooked in schools. Nearly the same share — 90 per cent — say most people underestimate how well-paying these roles can be.
Generational gaps in perception
Younger respondents expressed less confidence in skilled trades as a career path. Only 38 per cent of Gen Z participants ranked them among the best job opportunities today, compared to 40 per cent of Millennials, 45 per cent of Gen X, and 59 per cent of Boomers. Just over one-third of Gen Z strongly agreed trades offer a faster, more affordable route to a good career, well below Millennials (51 per cent) and Boomers (48 per cent).
Barriers to pursuing trades
Respondents identified the top obstacles as:
- Prestige – Trades seen as less respectable than other careers
- Awareness – Limited knowledge or interest in trade work
- College pressure – Social and parental expectations to pursue a four-year degree
- Pay perceptions – Belief that trades are not financially rewarding
Gen Z also cited concerns about job security, automation, and lack of flexible career options, while Black respondents were more likely to point to a shortage of visible role models.
Corporate role in closing the gap
Nine in 10 Americans say they view companies more positively when they support skilled trade programs. The most popular actions cited include sponsoring hands-on training in schools, offering paid internships or apprenticeships, and providing scholarships for trade education.
The findings suggest a growing expectation for employers to address skilled labour shortages by investing in talent pipelines, not only as a social responsibility measure but as a business imperative.
