Gen Z’s Shift to the Skilled Trades Presents a Unique Opportunity for the Supply Chain

Gen Z workers are increasingly exploring skilled trades as a career option, recognizing that these positions offer a secure future with strong earning potential. This interest couldn’t happen at a more critical time for the supply chain industry. While the C-Suite is hyper-focused on maximizing productivity, there’s a real struggle to hire enough skilled talent to meet their goals. A recent survey found that 76% of supply chain leaders in North America and Europe are experiencing notable workforce shortages. This new pool of talent is a welcome addition, but will require more contemporary recruiting and retention strategies than in the past.

Competing for Skilled Trade Talent

While the pursuit of skilled trades is on the rise, supply chain positions are competing with other roles, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters and welders. One of the most effective ways to reach young people still contemplating which trade path to take is modernizing the recruiting process. Gone are the days of simple job postings and advertisements. Instead, new approaches need to be introduced, such as social media outreach, recruitment videos and optimization for mobile devices. 

Gen Z also prioritizes work-life balance, mental health, and purpose-driven employment. It’s important to acknowledge and respect these preferences, and recognize that a one-size-fits-all workplace is not effective with a multigenerational workforce. A shift in corporate culture may be required to attract this demographic. Start with incremental changes that include open and transparent communication, feedback from all stakeholders, and data-informed decision making. 

Getting to the Heart of What Gen Z Wants

Ultimately, recruiting workers to a skilled trade position represents just the tip of the iceberg. Retaining and advancing workers is critical for not only filling immediate talent needs, but keeping valued employees for years to come. This applies to both full-time employees (FTEs) and those hired on a contract basis.