A Rising Tide: Empowering the Toolbelt Generation

In April 2024, NPR journalist, Windsor Johnson, introduced America to Sy Kirby. Sy is a craft professional who began his career in the construction industry at the age of 19. Now 32 years old, he owns his own business specializing in underground civil utility services. Sy also mentors new entrants to the industry and serves as a voice advocating for the benefits of joining the craft professions on social media.

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reported a 16% increase from 2022 to 2023 in the number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges. This statistic supports a shift in the perceptions of Gen Z, which Mike Rowe, craft professional advocate and TV host of “Dirty Jobs,” explained in a recent interview. Rowe told Chris Cuomo for “NewsNation,”

“there are plenty of people in Gen Z right now who are killing it…they have no [student loan] debt and they’re wearing a toolbelt, and nobody’s telling their stories.”

In September 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated the Southeast coast of Florida. The storm was reported to have cost more than $112 billion in damage by the National Hurricane Center. Tens of thousands of people lost their jobs. Following the storm, the Lowe’s Foundation stepped forward with a grant to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to conduct fast-track style construction training programs in the area to help with rebuilding efforts but also to support a new wave of talent in the construction industry, the storm’s displaced workers.

“I think programs like this are important because it really changes someone’s life. And especially with it being free—it can change someone who is homeless into someone who will eventually have a home. They’ll build the homes here in Fort Myers that they will eventually live in” said Justice Wise, a program participant.

“As long as I learn and I can do it, I can show my daughter. My daughter can be like, ‘you need to put in a window? I can put in a window. My mom showed me!’ And then she can show her kids,” said fellow participant Elizabeth Rodriguez.

NCCER’s President and CEO, Boyd Worsham, echoed the impact construction training can have. “More people need the construction industry. The industry has great jobs to offer, entering into a craft is just the beginning. This is a path to financial freedom and independence.”

Construction offers opportunities for individuals at all entry points. Many students graduating from school have the opportunity to join the industry and continue to learn on the job from their employers. With the growing concern about the student debt, apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training models afford opportunities for new entrants to earn while they learn.

“I wish more people understood how many opportunities were available in the construction industry,” Worsham said. “It’s more than a job, it’s a career. At NCCER we want to change lives by introducing careers in construction to new entrants. Construction is a great opportunity for Gen Z and an equally good opportunity for a single mother.”

NCCER offers free resources through its Build Your Future initiative (BYF) and CareerStarter program to help people learn about careers in construction. The resources are aimed to support individuals and educators to help more students learn about the opportunities in the industry. BYF also provides resources to help local contractors connect with schools.

“We believe that creating connections between industry and educators is an important step in bridging the current workforce gap in the construction industry and helping more students learn about the opportunities that exist,” said Worsham. One of the greatest challenges, “people don’t know how to get started, we hear it time and time again.”

In 2022, NCCER developed CareerStarter to address that challenge.

“CareerStarter is a career exploration tool that helps students explore career paths in the construction industry. It’s a free tool and available on the web or as a downloadable app,” said Karina Kuchta, CareerStarter program manager. “CareerStarter bridges the gap to help people learn about construction, explore career paths, find training near them, and connect with their first job. We’re excited to help make these connections and support the growing demand.”

If Gen Z is ready to be the toolbelt generation, there is a whole industry ready to welcome them with open arms. Individuals interested in learning more can visit www.nccer.org/careerstarter to explore the construction industry or get connected to training near them.