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The Untold AI Boom: Why Trade Skills Could Be the Smartest Bet for Gen Z
Young people are often warned that AI, automation, and disruption will threaten entry-level white-collar jobs. But what if the real opportunity lies not in digital skills alone, but in physical, hands-on trades that build the infrastructure powering AI? That’s the provocative claim from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and others who say the next economic boom may actually belong to electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and all the roles that make AI possible on the ground.
The Argument from Nvidia’s CEO
In a recent interview, Jensen Huang predicted that electricians, plumbers, and carpenters will be in astronomical demand as data center construction accelerates globally.
@c4news CEO of US chip giant Nvidia, Jensen Huang, tells Channel 4 News, that ‘electricians and plumbers’ will be the big winners in the AI race a... See more
He framed it as a shift from the soft side of technology (software, algorithms, models) to the physical side (power, cooling, infrastructure). Huang said:
“If you’re an electrician, you’re a plumber, a carpenter — we’re going to need hundreds of thousands of them to build all of these factories … The skilled craft segment of every economy is going to see a boom. You’ve going to have to be doubling and doubling and doubling every single year.”
He also noted that trade work often doesn’t require a four-year degree but can still pay handsomely, pointing to six-figure potential salaries in some growing markets.
Huang even speculated that, if he were 20 again, he might lean more heavily into the physical sciences than software, suggesting he sees a long-term advantage in skills tied to tangible systems.
Other CEOs Sound the Alarm, Too
Huang is not alone. Executives across industries are echoing this argument, but with a warning: there may not be enough skilled labor to meet the demand.
Larry Fink (CEO, BlackRock) has spoken publicly about the growing scarcity of electricians needed for data center buildouts. He cited immigration constraints and waning interest in trades among young Americans as compounding factors. At CERAWeek in 2025, Fink said he had warned members of the Trump administration that “we’re going to run out of electricians that we need to build out AI data centers.”
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, also weighed in, arguing that reshoring high-tech manufacturing in the U.S. may collide with the lack of skilled tradespeople to build and maintain those factories. “How can we reshore all this stuff if we don’t have people to work there?” he told Axios.
These warnings suggest that despite bold plans and funding for AI infrastructure, the success of those plans depends heavily on a large, capable workforce in crafts and trades.
The Scale of Data Center Construction and Labor Needs
To understand why trades matter so much, consider the scale of data center investment and the labor required to build them:
Global capital spending on data centers is projected to reach an estimated $7 trillion by 2030, per McKinsey
A single large data center (e.g. 250,000 square feet) can employ up to 1,500 construction workers during its build-out phase, many of whom can earn over $100,000 including overtime—even without a college degree.
Once operational, a data center might require only about 50 full-time maintenance staff. However, each of those jobs is estimated to spur another 3.5 jobs in the surrounding local economy via indirect effects (e.g. services, logistics).
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects electrician employment to grow by ~11% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than many other occupations.
In short: scaling AI infrastructure is not just a matter of chips, cloud logic, or software—it’s a massive construction and systems project.
Why Gen Z Should Think Twice About “Only Tech Jobs”
There’s a growing narrative that tech jobs are the safest, most future-proof careers. But Huang and others are suggesting the reverse: the most future-proof jobs might be those that AI can’t do—yet, especially in the physical world.
Here are a few reasons why:
Low automation risk
Many tasks in trades involve problem solving, on-site adaptation, physical dexterity, and real-time judgment. AI and robotics haven’t yet matched humans in complexity of installation, field troubleshooting, or customizing to on-site conditions.Barrier to entry is lower
Many trade and apprenticeship programs require less time and student debt than a four-year degree, yet still lead to stable careers and good wages.Strong local demand & resilience
Even as industries shift, buildings, infrastructure, energy, and data centers will always require maintenance and upgrades.Scalability via specialization or niche roles
For example: high-voltage electrician, data center cooling specialist, industrial plumbing, fiber-optic technician, fire-suppression systems, etc.Entrepreneurial potential
Trade skills lend themselves to small business or contracting models. You can start modest and scale, without needing massive capital or high overhead.
Evidence That Young People Are Reconsidering Trades
The shift from abstract projection to real movement is already under way:
The Guardian reported that Gen Z students are increasingly opting for vocational training over traditional college, in part due to skyrocketing tuition and more certainty in trade careers.
Vocational-focused community college enrollment increased ~16% in one recent year—the highest level since tracking began in 2018. Construction trades programs spiked ~23%.
Trade-related fields like HVAC and vehicle maintenance also saw growth (~7%) in enrollment during that same period.
Moreover, energy sector executives are already identifying the shortage of electricians as a constraint in deploying AI infrastructure.
These indicators suggest the rhetoric is starting to translate into real career decisions.
What Gen Zers (or Anyone Choosing a Career) Should Keep in Mind
Explore trade school + apprenticeship options
Community colleges, technical colleges, and trade-focused programs can lead straight into well-paying roles.Consider specializing early
Focus on areas tightly aligned with data center or infrastructure growth: power systems, cooling, electrical grids, HVAC in industrial settings, fiber optics, etc.Get credentials & certifications
Licensing, OSHA safety training, trade certificates, or union apprenticeship credentials make you more competitive.Stay open to combining trade + tech
There's value in hybrid skillsets: e.g. tradespeople who can maintain and program smart building systems, sensor networks, IoT controls, or predictive maintenance tools.Build local networks & business acumen
Trades often reward reputation, reliability, referrals, and good project management skills.Monitor market and region trends
Where are data centers being built? Which regions are incentivizing clean energy, infrastructure, or reshoring?
Conclusion: The Future of Work May Be Blue-Collar After All
In an era obsessed with artificial intelligence, the next wave of job growth might not be in coding, machine learning, or software engineering. It might be in the ground level work that makes AI possible: wiring, cooling, plumbing, infrastructure, power systems.
Jensen Huang’s radical claim that the real winners of the AI boom won’t be techbros, but electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, rings provocative but arguably prescient. Paired with warnings from executives like Larry Fink and Jim Farley, the picture begins to emerge: the glitzy headlines of AI may mask a more fundamental truth: the backbone of that revolution rests on pipes, wires, and concrete.
For Gen Zers contemplating their future, there’s a compelling case to flip the script: trade school isn’t a fallback. It could be a frontline.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a tradesperson or a contractor, now’s the time to engage with your state’s workforce initiatives and training providers.
👉 If you’re hiring: post your open roles or explore TradesmenUp’s job board to connect with qualified tradespeople in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, welding, and more.
👉 If you’re looking for work: create a profile and discover skilled trades jobs across the country.
