Since the pandemic struck the US, the labor force is still struggling four years later. Many companies are not hiring, some are leaning towards a virtually centered workplace, thus sending people in different directions in their career paths. Many high schoolers are faced with the question of college. In the past, college seemed like the “be all” or “end all” decision, as to who can get in where, who has the best SAT/ACT scores, who ends up at the most prestigious college, and more. But in recent years while these questions have not entirely disappeared, one big question pops up. Do you want to go into college or the trades? Gen Z has in recent light been choosing the trades. Many are seeing the upside of going right into the trades, versus building up a tremendous amount of debt that has haunted many people, 10 to 20 years out of college. In this blog, let’s look at why many Gen Zer’s are choosing the trades over college.
Differences in Outcomes: Trade School vs. College
Before we truly dive into why Gen Z is moving more towards a career in the trades versus going into the traditional route of college, let’s look at the basic notions of what each entail. According to The Best Schools, trade schools offer a condensed program, that takes a shorter amount of time to complete, unlike college programs. This allows the student to get into the workforce faster, and to start earning money and the experience the specific job, sooner than college students would. In trade schools, students earn the opportunity to go out onto a worksite with a mentor, in order to get a feel for what the job is actually like and get hands-on experience.
For college students, instead of going out onto a worksite to immerse themselves in a job, they learn about it via lectures in a traditional classroom setting. They also go through years of schooling (six or more years if they choose to add on secondary education), until they get out into an actual job (excluding internships). Due to the trades gaining more popularity as a future source of career, there is a need for parents and teachers to encourage this career option. The idea of being able to take pride in your work, and helping people can be a satisfying feeling at the end of the day. With the hard work of it all not being ignored, you are helping people in the end of it.
Rise in AI
One of many reasons why Gen Z is beginning to gravitate more towards the trades rather than college is due to the rise in AI. According to The Wall Street Journal, AI is beginning to change many career options for those who are in jobs that can be done by a computer system. Therefore, the demand for humans is not as high as it once was in the past. At the same time, the demand for electricians, plumbers and HVAC techs has risen, since AI is not able to perform the many tasks that tradespeople perform. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age of a tradesman is 55 years old. Due to this, more tradesmen will start to retire as Gen Zer’s begin entering into the workforce. Overall, there will continue to be an extreme need for all types of tradesmen.
Debt Avoidance
Another reason why working within the trades is becoming more appealing is being debt free. According to NPR, those who have gone into the trades tend to be at an advantage compared to their peers from a debt perspective. Those who come out of college tend to have as much as six-figures worth of debt, but those who decide to enter into the trades avoid debt and enter the workforce with a high-paying job. With a current demand for wind turbine installers, the median salary for this type of trade worker is approximately $100,000. This allows young people to enter into the work world debt-free with a high paying job and the potential to purchase a house at an early age, thus jumpstarting their lives. In addition, blue collar jobs were found to have offered better job security compared to white collar jobs, thus the less money you have to pour into paying for health care, dental insurance, etc.
Hefty Price Tags
Adding onto the monetary aspect, another reason trade school is looking like a better option is due to how expensive college has gotten in recent years. According to Labor Finders, the average cost of a trade school is a little over $10,000 for yearly tuition, while earning for work at the same time. On the other hand, a public college has a median cost of $23,603 and a private college has a median cost of $42,162. The hefty cost of going to a private college versus a trade school, when the plumber and accountant can end up with the same salary is something to consider.
The Toolbelt Generation is upon us and is coming in as hot as welding a pipe. Even though we are going through a shortage currently in the trades, we are seeing more people moving towards working within the trades. From that, we might see the gap close soon. The facts behind the notion of leaving the idea of college in the past and accepting the new generation of tradespeople is something interesting to dissect.
Recently, Matt Sonnhalter, Vision Architect and President at Sonnhalter, discussed our 15th Annual Tool Drive on the “And So It Flows” podcast. Hosted by PM Editor-In-Chief, Nicole Krawcke, Matt tells all of the ins-and-outs of what our Tool Drive encompasses. They converse about how the Tool Drive started with Habitat for Humanity, why we decided to implement it as a crucial part of who we are, our milestones thus far, and more!
Check out this podcast to hear more about our Annual Tool Drive and visit our website to read more about this month-long event.
In today’s digital age, where social media platforms dominate, the role of press releases might seem outdated. However, press releases remain a powerful tool for businesses to communicate with their audience and the media. In this blog, we will tell you why your company should continue to write press releases in 2024.
Credibility
Press releases contribute to your credibility and establish your company as a trustworthy source of information. When crafted well, they provide media outlets with accurate information about your company’s products, achievements and milestones. A well-written press release ensures that your messaging is clear and that your customers can learn more about your company. Regularly issuing press releases helps to build and maintain your company’s brand awareness. By highlighting your achievements and innovations, press releases reinforce your brand’s messaging.
Media Relations and Coverage
Press releases are an effective way to get media attention and secure coverage. Editors often rely on press releases as primary sources of information for news stories and features. By consistently issuing press releases, you can build relationships with editors and increase the likelihood of your company being featured in relevant publications, both online and in print.
Messaging
Press releases allow you to control the narrative and messaging surrounding important announcements and events. Unlike social media posts or blog articles that can be easily misinterpreted, press releases provide a structured format to convey key messaging. This ensures that your company’s message is communicated accurately and consistently to your target audience.
Long-term Value
Press releases serve as a record of your company’s journey and milestones. They can be archived on your website’s press section or a digital newsroom, providing customers with insights into your company’s history over time. This value not only preserves your company’s history but also serves as a resource for editors and customers seeking information about your business.
Despite the evolving digital landscape, press releases remain an effective tool for communications and media relations. By leveraging press releases, your company can enhance its credibility, visibility and reputation in 2024. If you’re not already, use press releases as part of your communication strategy to reach your audience more effectively.
In today’s digital landscape, content is crucial. From social media to blogs, podcasts to videos, businesses have an array of platforms at their disposal to engage with audiences and share their message. However, creating fresh, original content for each platform can be time-consuming. This is where the strategy of repurposing content across platforms comes in, enabling organizations to maximize reach, impact and content creation. Let’s explore why repurposing content across platforms is a great strategy for success in the digital age.
Reach
One of the primary benefits of repurposing content is its ability to extend your reach across multiple channels. By adapting a single piece of content for various platforms—such as turning a blog post into a series of social media posts or a video—you can reach audiences where they are most active and engaged. Whether it’s LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok, repurposing content allows you to meet your audience on their preferred platforms, increasing visibility and driving traffic back to your website.
Optimize for Different Audiences
Different platforms cater to different audiences and consumption habits. What resonates on Instagram may not perform as well on LinkedIn, and vice versa. By repurposing content across platforms, you can tailor your message to fit the unique preferences for each audience. For example, you might condense a long-form blog post into social media posts or produce engaging videos for YouTube. By optimizing content for different formats and platforms, you can maximize engagement and resonate with your audiences.
Amplify Your Message
Repetition is key to effective communication. By repurposing content across platforms, you amplify your message and reinforce key themes and ideas. A social post about a new product launch can be followed up with an in-depth blog post and a behind-the-scenes video. Each piece of content builds upon the others, creating a cohesive narrative and reinforcing your brand. Repetition increases the likelihood that your audience will engage with and remember your content, leading to greater brand awareness and recognition over time.
Save Time and Resources
Creating high-quality content takes time, effort and resources. By repurposing existing content, you can maximize your value and save time in the content creation process. Rather than starting from scratch each time, repurposing allows you to leverage existing content and adapt them for different platforms and audiences. This ensures consistency in messaging and branding across channels and makes the content creation process more efficient.
Improve SEO
By repurposing content across platforms, you can improve your search visibility and drive organic traffic to your website or blog. Sharing snippets of content on social media with relevant keywords and hashtags can increase visibility and attract link clicks from users searching for related topics. By strategically repurposing content, you can enhance your SEO efforts and attract more qualified traffic to your website.
Repurposing content across platforms is a smart strategy for maximizing reach and optimizing resources. By adapting existing content for different audiences and channels, you can extend your reach and reinforce your brand. Embracing the power of repurposing can help you achieve your goals more efficiently and effectively in today’s digital landscape.
This past week, Sonnhalter’s president Matt Sonnhalter was featured on a podcast by Mechanical Hub, Appetite for Construction. Hosted by Tim Ward and John Mesenbrink, they had the honor to interview Matt on everything B2T, Sonnhalter’s Annual Tool Drive, our recent partnership with PHCC CONNECT and their upcoming CONNECT 2024 conference in Birmingham, Alabama, outstanding barbeque and of course Matt’s love of bourbon and whiskey!
Be sure to take a listen to Tim, John and the “Don Draper of B2T.”
