Part 9/13:
A recurring theme is the importance of employment as a pathway out of welfare. The narrative emphasizes that job opportunities—particularly in blue-collar trades—are plentiful and resilient even amid technological advances like AI. Trades such as electricians, HVAC technicians, and other skilled labor are predicted to remain in high demand over the coming decades.
Prominent voices, including industry experts like Mike Rowe, advocate for vocational training and trade schools as practical alternatives to traditional college pathways. They emphasize that blue-collar jobs possess dignity, competitiveness, and economic security, especially as automation increasingly impacts white-collar jobs.