We are not the Robots

Highly skilled, highly trained and certainly not AI

Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have been driving significant changes in the job market, with many traditional roles being taken over by machines. This has left many people without work, but an unexpected upsurge in people getting trained in skilled manual jobs has emerged as a result of this shift.

In the past, skilled manual jobs such as carpentry, plumbing, electricians, hairdressing and barbering were considered to be lesser careers, with many people aspiring to higher-paid white-collar roles. Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate the worth of skills that involve manual labor, as these jobs are less likely to be replaced by automation.

As a result, many people who were previously employed in admin and other low-level white-collar jobs are now seeking training for practical skills like welding, plumbing, electrical work and hair cutting and styling.

There is a disillusionment among younger generations who feel the traditional paths to career success are now limited and want to find a more hands-on and rewarding way to earn a living.

Trades jobs can pay well and services will always be in demand, for a future with job security and financial stability, that is resilient in the face of the AI onslaught, it's quite a change of perspective.

Like all change this presents challenges, is there enough opportunity to access the vocational education we now need? These are skilled trades that need high quality training and the system has been focussed on driving 50% of school leavers into academic courses at university.

To take advantage of this positive adaptation to AI we need skilled practitioners to enter the world of vocational teaching. Teaching qualifications designed for time served professionals, quality assurance and assessment standards to drive best practice and the best vocational programs for both new entrants and career changers to enter the trades. Right here, right now.