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Drop the books, Grab the Hammer, Let’s get to work!!

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Part 1 of a 2 Part Series

According to The Hudson Institute, the average age of a tradesman is 55, and the supply of skilled workers in the US will not catch up to the demand until 2050. For every 5 skilled workers retiring, there are 2 to fill it. The ratios differ tremendously based on the source, but 1 thing is consistent-there is never a stat that shows millennials or Gen Zers bringing more than departing baby boomers. In another study, www.industrialskilltrades.com has the average age of skilled workers at 43, with 27% retiring in the next 10 years. 10,000 baby boomers retire every day, so the reality is that anyone, any time can get a job.

“Dirty jobs” aren’t as flashy or as impressive as working in a high-rise with an Armani Suite, but according to whom? I have watched several tradesmen make more money, drive better cars, and, for sure, build better houses for themselves (with their own hands) than many white collar workers. I have seen guys in worn-out and torn flannel shirts and calloused hands be worth $10,000,000 and essentially have white collar people on retainer-working for them. Sadly, I have also watched the ability of people dwindle significantly because companies are too busy to train, as there is to much work to do. I have watched the willingness to work falter because the same able-bodied person can bag an online grocery order in a controlled environment for $18-$20 per hour. I have watched the passion of workers taking pride in their work completely be removed from the thought process.

A skilled craftsman/builder can take any material: wood, steel, or concrete, and build it level, plumb, and square. A skilled craftsman can find efficiencies and better ways. The problem is that specialization into specific, smaller, categorized areas has created stagnant and unwilling to challenge themselves “pros.” Liabilities and sue-happy people have created a society afraid to take a risk or step out of the norm or comfort zone. This is why the most talented, blue-collar skilled craftsmen are hard to find. They have grit and persistence. They stepped out of the norm at some point, probably at the choice of hammer or book. Skilled craftsmen are needed and should never feel like less. A skilled craftsman has more than 10,000 hours, and you will know them when you see them. Labels and titles do not define them, nor do potential customers question their worth. An “overpaid” doctor or lawyer rarely has their path questioned or their rates under the microscope. However, that same doctor or lawyer will question that electrician for getting the light bulb to turn on.

In today’s political fights and arguments, unemployment seems to be important. It is a tough figure to calculate; the rate can be adjusted to match whatever side of the story you want it to be. Let’s look at a staggering number and theory: Workforce participation rate. This is the number of able-bodied people who are participating in the workforce or actively seeking work in our country. According to online statistics, specifically www.skillwork.com/resources/, the current civilian labor force participation rate is hovering around 62%. That means 38% of eligible people could be working but choose not to. Of that number, over 7,000,000 able-bodied males from mid-twenties to their mid-fifties are just sitting out! Not even looking for work. Why? How many of these people are in that label and demographic because it is more acceptable in their mind to not work, vs. fit a negative façade or label of a non-college graduate? How many of these people have spent the time and effort going to college to get a degree that is unemployable, unusable, or not needed? Never will a person putting the effort into learn a trade be jobless, unless they choose to be.

Here is what I know and what I challenge others, specifically HS grads, to look at. College does not lead to success as the only option. College is something that can be done any time in life, as pre or post “profession.” A skilled trade goes nowhere. The knowledge doesn’t expire or run out. The knowledge can be used throughout life and for many helpful, personal reasons. The knowledge provides an opportunity for future success. Imagine becoming an apprentice in carpentry/building. That knowledge and skill set allows for an architecture, engineering, and business college degree. The ability to make 6 figures per year exists today, Day 1 after HS graduation. The ability to save 6 figures a year in college per year is also then calculated. The argument can be made that in the 4 years of college, the financial swing alone makes complete sense. The argument can also be made that in the same 4 years, who is more employable in year 5? The person who’s been working and gaining a skill, or the person who has spent 4 years obtaining a degree?

Encourage today’s youth to grab the hammer by day, the books by night. Get the best of both worlds and become that blue-collar worker with the white-collar education. Get them to understand the importance of the skill and let the rest fall into place.

To learn more about this topic, keep your eyes out for part 2 of this article coming next month, or contact Ryan Derrer at ry********@am*********.com.