Survey finds gap between importance of skilled trades and career pathways
A survey of 534 WorldSkills competitors from more than 60 countries and regions found that while young trades professionals recognize the growing importance of skilled careers, many say they were encouraged to pursue traditional academic paths instead.
Dewalt conducted the survey from Aug. 18-28 to examine perceptions of skilled careers, workforce readiness and training ahead of the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition.
Seventy-six percent of respondents said technical and vocational skills are increasingly important to the global economy, while 51% said too few young people are entering the trades.
The survey also found that 71% of respondents believe the public image of technical and vocational careers has improved. However, 52% said they were encouraged toward more traditional academic paths, compared with 14% who were encouraged toward technical and vocational careers.
Early exposure was another concern. Forty-five percent of respondents said young people are not exposed to skilled career opportunities soon enough, while 53% said they felt pressure to pursue a university or traditional academic career.
Respondents identified several ways to encourage more young people to pursue skilled careers. Forty-five percent selected more opportunities to try skilled work firsthand, while 38% selected more paid apprenticeships or earn-while-you-learn pathways.
Financial assistance also was identified as an important factor, with 88% of respondents saying it is important to making technical or vocational education more attainable.
“The real economy runs on skilled labor – across housing, transportation, manufacturing, energy, and digital infrastructure – and global demand for these professionals continues to rise. As an industry, we have a responsibility not only to celebrate the people who power these essential sectors, but also to invest in creating pathways into the skilled trades,” said Chris Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stanley Black & Decker. “Through Dewalt’s Grow the Trades program and partnerships with organizations like WorldSkills, we are working to raise awareness of these rewarding careers and expand access for the next generation of skilled tradespeople.”
“Skilled careers are the engine of economies everywhere, and this generation of competitors understands that. They are not waiting to be told trades matter – they are proving it, with new technology as one more set of tools in their hands,” said David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International.
The WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition brought together skilled trades competitors from around the world Sept. 22-27.
Dewalt sponsored two U.S. competitors at the competition: Charles “Charlie” Goede, a 19-year-old plumbing apprentice from Connecticut, and Tristan Coates, a 22-year-old business owner and residential builder from Florida.
Chris Nelson also participated in a fireside chat at the event about the role of skilled tradespeople in driving innovation, growth and economic progress.
The survey was distributed to more than 1,000 WorldSkills competitors, with 534 respondents participating across more than 60 countries and regions. Base sizes varied by question because not all respondents answered every question.
