02/04/2026
🚨 On this week’s report it was highlighted what was called a “game changer” in the American workforce — skilled trade workers now have a lower unemployment rate than people with bachelor’s degrees.
🗞️ According to a new report from The Washington Post, this marks the first time since the federal government began tracking employment data in the 1990s that trades like plumbing and electrical work have outperformed college graduates in job security.
☑️ It was pointed out that the long-standing stigma around “getting your hands dirty” appears to be fading. Young people are increasingly skipping massive student loan debt in favor of occupational or associate degrees, with elevator installers reportedly earning six figures in some markets and electricians commanding strong wages in major cities.
📉 Meanwhile, the entry-level office job market remains tight, leaving many college graduates struggling to find footing.
🏆 Contributors Tammy Bleck and Jerry Granata weighed in on why the shift is happening. Bleck said it’s overdue recognition for workers who keep communities running, noting how essential trades become when electricity goes out or plumbing fails.
💸 Granata pointed to workplace culture and private equity as major factors driving people away from traditional corporate jobs, adding that student loan debt passed down from parents to kids is pushing many toward alternative career paths.
😷They also said the pandemic changed how people view job security, emphasizing there’s no longer a “gold watch” at retirement and workers are more interchangeable than ever — making independence and high-demand industries far more attractive.
👀 They wrapped the segment by asking why some still look down on trade careers when plumbers can earn as much as software engineers without student debt. Bleck didn’t mince words, saying most people now respect skilled workers — and those who don’t are simply out of touch.
🗣️ The discussion reflects a broader shift happening nationwide, and right here in the Coachella Valley, as the value of hands-on work continues to rise.
