The low down: While the skilled labor shortage is still one of the biggest challenges in home services, something unexpected is starting to happen in 2025: young people are entering the trades again — and smart operators are meeting them where they’re at.

Contractors continue to struggle with retirements outpacing new entries. Boomers are leaving, and for years the pipeline wasn’t keeping up. But with Gen Z reevaluating the college debt equation, and TikTok/Instagram glamorizing blue-collar work, there’s fresh attention on the trades.

HVAC trade school enrollment is up. Electrical and plumbing apprenticeships are filling faster. Companies that used to run ads begging for techs are now seeing a wave of applicants under 25 — but only if they’ve modernized their approach.

What’s actually working in 2025

Grow-your-own pipelines
Contractors aren’t waiting on trade schools. They’re building their own.
Think: paid helper programs, pre-apprenticeship “bootcamps,” and high school partnerships. One Phoenix-based HVAC company even offers high school seniors $500 signing bonuses to enroll in their in-house program.

Flexibility over everything
Gen Z doesn’t want to work 60-hour weeks — and they don’t have to.
4-day workweeks, rotating Fridays off, and “pick your shift” models are helping trade companies recruit parents, side-hustlers, and even former food service workers.

Clear paths to progress
The new workforce wants growth they can see.
Job postings now highlight:

• Licensing support

• Raises tied to certifications

• Transparent pay scales
  One roofing company even prints career ladders on its training room walls.

Bonuses, perks, and the extras
Old-school benefits aren’t cutting it. Leading companies now offer:

• Tool stipends and boot allowances

• $2,500+ sign-on bonuses

• Paid travel for out-of-state training
  Some even give their techs equity after 2 years on the team.

A culture that resonates
It’s not just the job — it’s how it feels to work there.
Weekly check-ins, team recognition, and crew-created content for socials are replacing “we’re like a family” slogans. Gen Z can smell fake culture a mile away.

The trendline: up and to the right

In 2024, HVAC-specific programs at public 2-year colleges rose 29% YoY.
#SkilledTrades posts on social media? Over 56,000 and growing.
One study found 70% of Gen Z would consider the trades — if they had a clear path and could earn while they learn.

Why it matters: Demand isn’t going anywhere.
According to BLS projections, HVAC and plumbing jobs are growing faster than the average for all occupations through 2032.

Looking ahead: adapt or stall out

The labor crisis isn’t “fixed” — but the window is open.
The next generation wants in. They just won’t tolerate outdated onboarding, 1990s job ads, or burnout schedules.

What's next: Contractors who modernize will grow. The rest will keep asking “where did all the workers go?”