The skills gap and how to get young people interested in the trades has been a key industry topic for a while now.
It won’t stop being an important topic anytime soon, but it’s also not something to simply speculate about, as if it’s a problem yet to find a solution. It’s being addressed as I write this. Members of a new, young generation are indeed entering the trades as older demographics that have long been the industry’s heart are reaching retirement age. It needs to continue of course, but it is also presently happening. There is a youth movement.
One of the contractor profiles this month is Zoom Drain Raleigh Southeast in North Carolina. At the helm of the business is 24-year-old Andrew Dixon, who was one of the people recognized last February at the WWETT Show’s inaugural Young Professionals Awards. He’s only been in business since December 2023 but is already among the top 10% of Zoom Drain franchises.
One thing Dixon said stood out to me when he was explaining how he got started on this path: “It was hard to know if college would pay off.”
That has long been at the core of all this. The idea that college is unequivocally the best pathway for all young people after high school. That working in the trades is dirty work not suited for living a happy, prosperous life. But to me, it seems more young people are starting to question the value of a four-year college degree. That’s not to say it’s suddenly the wrong choice. It’s just not the only choice, as people like Dixon are indeed realizing, and more young people are thinking about college alternatives.
Here are a few of my observations about members of this younger generation:
- They’re ambitious. Even if they’re still a one-truck operation at the moment, many have big long-term goals. They want to grow, add employees and expand their service area.
- They have wide-ranging interests. I’m seeing many one-stop shops, able and willing to provide whatever customers need. They’re wanting to learn and be skilled at a variety of services.
- Unsurprisingly, they’re tech-savvy. It’s second nature to them. They don’t shy away from any new tool that could potentially be of benefit. Whether it’s engaging with social media in various ways to promote a company or trying out a new operational software program, they’re up for any of it.
I also recently spoke with another recipient of a WWETT Show Young Professionals Award — Ben Irvin, a senior technical trainer and product specialist for Roto-Rooter Corporation, who is 26. I’ll be publishing a Q&A with him in a future issue.
I’m interested in speaking with more of you younger readers and learning more. What’s your story? What’s your experience been like getting started in the industry? What sticks out to you as the most important issues in this industry moving forward? What are you interested in? What are you trying to learn more about? What are article topics that would be most beneficial to you?
It’s always exciting to talk to a young person on the precipice of a long career in this industry and hearing their enthusiasm about the future. I want to be sure Cleaner magazine is helping as much as possible. Reach out to me at 715-350-8442 or editor@cleaner.com.
Enjoy this month’s issue.
