TL;DR

Young people in Britain are increasingly choosing skilled trades over white-collar careers, seeking work that AI cannot automate. London colleges report nearly 10% growth in construction and engineering enrolments, with students citing job security and earning potential in an aging workforce.

AI Anxiety Drives Career Rethink

Eighteen-year-old Maryna Yaroshenko exemplifies a growing trend among young British workers: choosing a skilled trade specifically because artificial intelligence cannot replace it. The plumbing student at City of Westminster College sees hands-on work as offering the long-term stability that office jobs increasingly lack.

“That’s something AI won’t take over,” Yaroshenko told Reuters. “No AI can do plumbing, no AI can do real engineering, no AI can be an electrician.”

Her assessment aligns with labour market data. According to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, one in six UK employers expect AI tools to enable headcount reductions within 12 months. White-collar roles appear most vulnerable.

College Enrolments Reflect Shifting Priorities

UK colleges are seeing measurable changes in course demand. The United Colleges Group has recorded a 9.6% increase in engineering, construction, and built environment enrolments over three years. Capital City College reports similar growth in construction, plumbing, and hospitality.

Stephen Davis, CEO of City of Westminster College, attributes the trend partly to AI concerns and partly to university costs. “AI has pushed not only young people but also adults looking to switch careers to think more strategically,” he said.

The financial case is compelling. Plumbers earn an average of £37,881 annually, competitive with the overall UK average of £39,039. Crucially, skilled trades offer greater opportunities for self-employment and business ownership, potentially increasing earning potential.

Generational Vulnerability to AI

Research from King’s College London, published in October, found that AI-driven workforce reductions disproportionately affect junior positions, making entry-level roles particularly precarious. Half of UK adults surveyed by the Trades Union Congress expressed concern about AI’s impact on their jobs, with 25 to 35-year-olds especially worried.

Looking Forward

The trend towards skilled trades may address a genuine workforce gap: the current tradesperson population is aging, with strong demand for new entrants. For businesses relying on skilled trades, this shift could eventually ease recruitment challenges—though the transformation will take years to materialise in workforce numbers.

Source: Reuters