Conversations from The EDGE: How to Encourage Gen Z to Embrace Skilled Trades

September 4, 2019
Sean Heath

 

What’s the single most valuable skillset for a skilled tradesman? Surprise, it’s not 100 percent talent. Soft skills can be the secret ingredient for success in blue-collar trades, according to Josh Zolin, author of the book Blue Is the New White: The Best Path to Success No One Told You About and CEO of Windy City Equipment Services. Josh joined Service Logic Vice President Greg Crumpton and host Sean Heath on this new episode of Conversations from The EDGE with Service Logic.

“I used to think soft skills were 50/50 versus technical prowess, but now I think overall EQ is superior,” Josh said. “There’s always help on the technical side, but being able to put the customer at ease far outweighs being able to read a meter or a set of gauges.”

Josh and Greg point to emotional intelligence, empathy for customers, and a service-minded attitude as traits that fall under the “soft skills” umbrella. “That’s really the path to success,” Josh said.

But before the industry can extoll the virtues of soft skills, it must first change its perception. A career in the skilled trades was once well-regarded as a good, lucrative profession, but somewhere along the way society labeled skilled tradesmen as blue-collar and less desirable than college-educated white-collar workers, Josh explained.

“The responsibility falls on us inside the trades to bring to light what a career in the trades actually means and how many different trajectories are available,” Josh said.

Greg said, “That means you have to reach out and bring people with you. It’s all about relations.”

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Building Management Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @BuildingMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Recent Episodes

HVAC careers
View episode

For HVAC businesses, mastering online visibility and reputation management has become a critical factor in achieving success. With the internet increasingly becoming the first stop for customers seeking services, the practice of digital marketing for the HVAC industry has been gaining traction. Chris Lollini, founder and CEO of Reputation Igniter, specializes in helping businesses…

career evolution in HVAC
View episode

A career evolution in HVAC takes many paths filled with challenges and opportunities for significant growth, from technical roles to leadership. As the sector evolves, professionals must adapt and expand their skill sets to thrive in increasingly complex environments. In this episode of Straight Outta Crumpton, host Greg Crumpton engages with Tim Gillespie, the…

HVAC industry
View episode

The HVAC industry is facing a pivotal moment, where the balance between maintaining strong relationships and adapting to new technologies determines the success of companies. With rapid advancements and shifting business dynamics, those who excel are the ones who have mastered the art of connecting deeply with clients and team members alike. But how…