Jobber’s annual Blue Collar Report found that Gen Z remained locked into the college-first mindset, despite families increasingly recognizing the instability of traditional, white-collar careers. Based on survey responses from more than 1,000 U.S. students aged 18 to 20 years and 1,000 parents, “Gen Z and the Blue Collar Revolution” highlights the long-term potential of trades.

Only 16% of Gen Z parents believe a degree guarantees long-term job security, yet most (75%) of Gen Zers still plan to pursue one. The Education Data Initiative estimates the actual cost of a bachelor’s degree to be more than US$500,000, factoring in loans and lost income. At the same time, layoffs in tech and finance are accelerating, while demand for skilled trades continues to grow well above the national average, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The trades remain one of the most resilient career paths in an AI-driven economy, offering stability, upward mobility, and the chance to build a business. Parents are beginning to recognize this, but their actions haven’t caught up. The report found:

• 73% of parents agreed that trade entrepreneurs enjoy greater long-term security than tech employees, but only 7% of parents would prefer their child pursue a vocational path.
• 71% of Gen Zers and 63% of parents still view trade school as less favorable than university, indicating that stigma remains a significant barrier.

This is a missed opportunity as trade businesses demonstrate strong earning potential. According to Jobber data, plumbing and HVAC companies, for example, report median gross sales of $416,120 and $390,594, showing that careers in the trades can deliver both stability and prosperity.

Yet, 76% of Gen Z said university was actively promoted in high school, while only 31% remember trade school being encouraged. That shows the real barrier isn’t interest in the trades; it’s access and awareness.

To access the full 2025 Annual Blue Collar Report, click here.

ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, strongly supports the reintroduction of the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act, pressing Congress once again to pass legislation to alleviate chronic labor shortages in industries such as cleaning, facility services, hospitality, and more. The 2025 version of the bill is similar to its predecessor, which was introduced in the last Congress, reflecting continued commitment to address this important workforce issue from both sides of the aisle.

The bill’s lead sponsor is Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11), who received ISSA’s 2025 Award for Outstanding Government Service at the Clean Advocacy Summit. The bipartisan list of initial co-sponsors includes: Mark Amodei (R-NV-2), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6), Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), Don Davis (D-NC-1), Andy Harris (R-MD-1), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Maria Salazar (R-FL-27), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY-3). If enacted, the legislation would create a year-round, non-seasonal temporary worker program (often referred to as the H-2C visa class) to fill non-agricultural jobs that remain unfilled and that do not require a college degree.

The proposal includes a market-based visa pilot system with a flexible annual cap of up to 85,000 positions based on economic conditions, employer and worker accountability, full portability for workers moving between approved employers, compliance tools, and balanced safeguards. The legislation would give the cleaning industry, which continues to face long-term staffing gaps, a legal and structured way to expand its labor pool. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 540,000 cleaning job openings are expected each year in the U.S.

“ISSA’s support for the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act is grounded in recognition that cleaning industry employers struggle to hire enough workers, which limits their ability to meet growing demand, maintain cleanliness and sanitation standards, and protect public health,” said John Nothdurft, ISSA’s Director of Government Affairs. “The act offers a common sense, bipartisan solution that will strengthen our workforce, empower businesses to grow, and ensure our industry can continue delivering the safe, healthy spaces that communities depend on every day.”

The reintroduction of this bill reaffirms bipartisan support in Congress for common sense workforce reform, signaling that the issue is not going away. ISSA calls on more members of Congress to sign on, pass the bill, and send it onward for the signature of the President.

Help reinforce the industry’s message by attending ISSA’s 2026 Clean Advocacy Summit on March 23-24, 2026 in Washington, D.C., and by using ISSA’s Advocacy Action Center to urge your federal elected officials to create a temporary worker program. For questions regarding workforce reform and ISSA Advocacy, please contact John Nothdurft.