At only 23 years old, Jacob Palmer has already built a successful career as an electrician and business owner. He started the company in 2024 after deciding college wasn’t the right path for him. Looking back, he has no regrets about skipping higher education. “I’m really happy doing this because it’s given me independence,” he said.
More young people are starting to make similar choices. Skilled trades such as electrical work, plumbing, welding, HVAC repair, and masonry are becoming more appealing, especially as college costs continue to rise. According to a Jobber report, about 57% of Gen Z respondents said they worry about student debt and see it as a major reason to skip college altogether.
AI is another factor pushing this trend. Many entry-level office jobs that once went to recent graduates are being automated. Roughly 77% of young adults now say they want careers that are difficult for machines to replace. They often point to jobs like electrician or carpenter as safer options compared to fields like software development or accounting.
According to David Asay, CEO of Advantage Reline, the perception of trade work has changed dramatically. “People don’t see construction or technical jobs as a fallback anymore,” he said. “They see them as real careers with valuable skills.”
For years, the push toward college degrees dominated career advice. But with rising tuition and uncertain job markets, many are reconsidering that traditional route. Data from the Education Data Initiative shows that the average cost of college now exceeds $38,000 per year—and can reach nearly $60,000 at private schools. When interest and lost income are added, a bachelor’s degree can cost upwards of half a million dollars.
Meanwhile, unemployment among young college graduates has increased from 3.2% in 2019 to about 4.6% today, according to St. Louis’ Federal Reserve Bank. Workers without college degrees, however, have seen only a small rise in unemployment.
The shift is also visible in schools. In Mesa, Arizona, career and technical programs are seeing record interest in construction, welding, and auto mechanics. Asay noted that students with an entrepreneurial spirit often thrive in trades, since their skills can easily translate into starting a business.
Palmer’s success shows what’s possible. His company brought in $90,000 during its first year and is projected to top $150,000 this year. “AI won’t be replacing electricians anytime soon,” he said with a grin. “That would have to be one incredible robot.”
Similarly, 18-year-old Kayden Evans, a senior at Mountain View High School, plans to enter a hands-on trade after graduation. Currently interning at Empire Cat, a heavy equipment company, he hopes to become a field technician. “AI can’t take apart an engine,” he said. “That’s something only people can do.”
As more tech innovations are brought to market by enterprises like D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS), the employment landscape is likely to be shaken up a lot more and the workforce will need to adapt to these changes.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/QBTS
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