Let’s start with a number: $70,000. That’s how much a high school junior in Philadelphia is poised to earn right after graduation—not with a college degree, but a welding torch.
Every senior in the welding program at Father Judge High School has received a job offer paying more than $50,000, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article. One student has already landed a position welding nuclear submarines.
This isn’t a one-off. It’s a shift. The trades are back—and they’re nothing like they used to be.
We Don’t Just Have a Labor Shortage. We Have a Knowledge Crisis.
The construction industry’s talent gap is no secret. But it’s not just about headcount.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 663,000 annual openings in construction and extraction occupations through 2032. Meanwhile, nearly 40% of the construction workforce is expected to retire by 2031.
That’s not just labor walking out the door. That’s institutional memory.
The professionals who know how to spot a spec conflict before it stalls the schedule. Who’ve learned—through trial, error and years in the field—how to navigate unpredictable variables like weather, logistics and permitting.
That’s what we’re losing. And we’re not replacing it nearly fast enough.
Shop Class 2.0 Is Here—and It’s Actually Cool
For years, vocational education got sidelined. “College for all” became a mantra, and shop class largely disappeared from school curriculums.
Now it’s roaring back, with a digital twist.
Today’s career and technical education (CTE) programs look nothing like the wood-paneled workshops of decades past. Students are learning CNC machining, robotics, 3D printing and even digital markup and takeoff tools.
At Middleton High School in Wisconsin, a $90 million campus upgrade added glass-walled shops, robotic arms and state-of-the-art machinery. Nearly 25% of the student body is now enrolled in construction, manufacturing or woodworking courses.
And this resurgence isn’t isolated. The National Student Clearinghouse reported that enrollment in construction trade programs at community colleges rose by 23% year-over-year, the largest increase on record.
It turns out, students are getting the memo: the trades are high-tech, high-pay and high in demand.
Today’s Students Are Getting a Digital Toolbelt
Construction today isn’t just bricks and beams. It’s building information modeling (BIM), real-time markups, cloud-based sessions and mobile dashboards. Vocational programs are quickly catching up.
Students—whether in high schools, community colleges or even some four-year universities—are gaining hands-on experience with project management platforms. They’re learning how to track RFIs, manage digital drawings and collaborate on shared files before ever stepping onto a jobsite.
Many of the industry’s preeminent technology companies provide free software access and training to educational institutions. Bluebeam has supported academic programs through its Revu and Studio platforms, enabling students to practice real-world digital workflows.
And beyond software, The Home Depot Foundation’s Path to Pro program has introduced more than 245,000 people—including 43,000 youth participants—to the skilled trades since 2018, many through tech-forward training.
This isn’t just education. It’s industry-ready onboarding.
Partnerships Are the New Pipeline
The real power behind this movement? Collaboration.
Across the U.S., contractors are partnering with tech high schools and community colleges to create direct pipelines to the jobsite.
At Worcester Technical High School in Massachusetts, students are paired with professionals from NEI General Contracting. They learn about sequencing, compliance and even client communication—on active construction projects. In turn, NEI gets early access to a motivated, digitally fluent talent pool.
It’s a win-win—and a model more firms should follow.
What Construction Firms Should Be Doing Right Now
Still on the fence? Here’s how companies can get involved:
- Partner with trade schools and community colleges. Host jobsite tours, sponsor internships or create co-op programs.
- Share your tools. Whether it’s Bluebeam or other digital tools, give students access to platforms they’ll use on the job.
- Send your team into the classroom. A 10-minute story from a PM or super can inspire a future foreman.
- Play the long game. These aren’t just students; they’re your future crew leads, estimators and project managers.
This Is Bigger Than Hiring
Sure, this helps solve the talent crunch. But it’s about more than just staffing.
It’s a culture shift. A reimagining of how we attract, train and retain the next generation, while keeping pace with the tools shaping the jobsite.
Shop class is back. But this time, it’s armed with software, certifications and six-figure futures.
The firms that act now? They won’t just find talent. They’ll build stronger, smarter, more resilient teams.
