Hands-on Skills See Resurgence Amid AI Concerns
WASHINGTON, GA — As advancements in artificial intelligence reshape the job market, many students are turning away from traditional four-year degrees in favor of vocational training and skilled trades.
Scott Shelar, President & CEO of ‘Construction Ready,’ a non-profit organization that helps people find trade jobs, noted a significant surge in interest. Thousands attended their annual career expo at the Georgia World Congress Center last month. “We had our largest turnout ever. We had over 10,000 attendees,” Shelar said. More than 6,000 students from across Georgia participated, gaining hands-on experience in various trades.
Shelar believes the increased interest stems from concerns about artificial intelligence and the rising cost of college. “There’s a little bit of fear there that a lot of these white-collar jobs that college prepares you for are being replaced by AI,” he explained. Additionally, the burden of student loan debt is a major deterrent for many students, making trade schools a more attractive option.
Wilson Haworth, Director of Virtual Design at Juneau Construction, emphasized the pressing need for young, ambitious employees in the industry stating, “We absolutely need that investment. We need people coming in, and the workforce to be developed.” He noted that while companies increasingly use AI, it is not replacing employees, but rather assisting them. “We can actually start to think about the workers and we can start to think about the quality of life and we can achieve the same level of output with a higher quality of life,” Haworth said.
Currently, public schools in Georgia have over 17,000 students enrolled in 150 skilled trade construction and metals programs.
