When you think about AI, tech jobs, and blue-collar workers, are you fearful or full of hope? In this episode, we will tackle the question that many homeschool parents wonder. Is college worth all the money? Join me as we explore this topic and how it may impact your children in the near future.

AI, Tech Jobs, and Blue-Collar Workers ~ Episode 563

Welcome to Vintage Homeschool Moms. Today, we are going to discuss the joys, challenges, and prepare our kids for the future. I love to think I homeschooled with a heart for faith and family first, and I’m so blessed to be with you today if you are a first-time listener, welcome.

For those of you who are faithful listeners, thanks for tuning in and welcome back! I’m your host, Felice Gerwitz, and today we’re tackling a timely topic: AI, Tech Jobs, and Blue-Collar Workers. Today, we will discuss how the rapid advancements in technology are shaking up the job market—and what that means for our kids’ futures as homeschool families.

Thanks to our sponsor! CTCMath.com, be sure to check the homeschool link for deep discounts.

The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Jobs

Much has happened in the last few years, and the quantum leap in AI technology is frightening, to say the least. That is, if you have a healthy understanding of how search engines function, and what used to be a useful tool has now turned into something much more accurate. It’s not perfect—thankfully—but AI is way better than the robot voice that used to greet me when I turned on AOL. If you’re old enough to remember, you’d hear those words, “You’ve got mail.”

The power of AI technology is threatening some of the most sophisticated jobs, including accounting, medical analysis, decision-making, code creation, marketing, and much, much more. Many analysts fear that entry-level white-collar jobs are easily replaceable in the future, especially as AI continues to improve. Have you walked into a fast-food restaurant, only to be greeted with rows of kiosks or computer screens ready to take your order? This is AI in the workplace, replacing real people with a machine that’s faster and as accurate as the person inputting the information.

What about blue-collar jobs?

Currently, they seem safe, but in the past, many jobs were replaced with automation. The car industry is one example, having replaced assembly lines staffed with workers with machines. But thankfully, car assembly workers are still necessary. In the not-so-distant future—well, actually, just recently—when the dock workers went on strike, one of the concessions was the shipping industry agreeing not to replace all dock workers with automation. I’m sure at some point it will happen, but it was a win for the workers and the powerful unions.

Will computers take over everything? And where does it stop?

Well, it seems that with highly skilled blue-collar workers, their jobs are safe for now. All of this discussion hits close to home for me. We run a service industry, supplying carpenters to contractors to build homes. My husband owns a construction business. While he is a general contractor, his focus is on the carpentry aspect of construction—rough carpentry.

This is a highly skilled area of new house construction. They are the ones who build exterior walls (if they’re out of wood, set trusses (those pointy-looking things that are raised with a crane), and build interior walls—sometimes with wood and other times with metal. Anything involving wood framing is under his purview.

Most of the men on the job are strong and young, able to climb ladders, get on roofs, and balance on beams. They can lift those heavy power tools and work with powerful nail-guns. Let’s just say I avoid the job sites after visiting with my young children, who wanted to see what “Daddy does for work”—it was enough for me. The pay is good, and thus it’s a job that, once secured, can provide for a family because the pay scale is higher than most. Yet, training takes time, and most skills are learned on the job. Each foreman runs a job crew differently, so often the carpenters need to change the way they’ve always done a job to a new way that’s more efficient and time-saving—which equals bigger paychecks or bonuses.

White-collar jobs have come under fire with the statement by Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs” acclaim.

He warned that highly skilled white-collar workers would be replaced in the near future, but that highly skilled blue-collar workers are scarce. Most parents don’t want their sons or daughters to become plumbers, electricians, HVAC installers, or appliance repair people. They want their children to go to college.

I was one of those people not too long ago. I had our pastor and dear friend—who recently passed away in July 2025—over to dinner. He was a strong Irishman who didn’t mince words. I complained after dinner that my son Nicholas, then sixteen, did not want to go to college. Earlier, we had a conversation where he wanted to know what he had to do to take over his father’s business. Father Toner looked me right in the eye and said, “Felice, of course, he shouldn’t go to college if he wants to work construction. He’d be brilliant at it!” And I realized he was right.

Starting an Apprenticeship

Nick began to apprentice a year later, and I tailored his class load to reflect his interests. He studied oceanography—something he loved. He worked on mechanics, small appliances, and tool repair. At sixteen, he had a thriving repair business for coaches at the ball field who owned landscaping businesses. He’d repair the tools for a fraction of the cost of taking them into the shop and still made over $20-25 an hour.

My oldest son also worked in construction for many years, until he opted for a job at a high-end furniture store, a role that suited him much better than construction. He made a very good salary that included generous tips. This son is my “problem child” and has switched jobs many times; he currently drives for a rideshare company, which suits his night-owl tendencies. Blue-collar work is not always easy, and many people, including my oldest, want something that is easy and pays well. This isn’t always possible. My second part podcast, which will air next, will discuss why some people have difficulty being successful in a job and it has little to do with skill.

The Future of AI and Blue-Collar Jobs

So, what is the future of AI and blue-collar jobs? From my perspective as a homeschool mom who’s seen the value in hands-on trades through my own family’s experiences, it’s a mix of caution and hope. AI is advancing rapidly, but it’s not the doomsday scenario for every job out there. Analysts predict that while AI could affect at least 80% of the U.S. labor force by impacting 10% or more of their work tasks, blue-collar roles—especially skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC—are poised to thrive. Why? These jobs often require physical dexterity, on-site problem-solving, and human judgment that AI and robots struggle to replicate fully right now.

In fact, AI is more likely to augment these workers, making them more productive by handling data analysis, predictive maintenance, or safety monitoring in industries like utilities and farming. Think of it as a tool that saves time and reduces risks, rather than a complete replacement. Plus, with blue-collar jobs offering stability and high pay—by 2030, the U.S. will be short over 2 million skilled trade workers, leading companies to raise wages to attract talent—these careers honor the dignity of hard work and provide for families while aligning with God’s call to stewardship.

That said, no one’s entirely immune.

Experts warn that AI-enabled robots could start encroaching on some blue-collar areas, like basic construction or logistics, in the next decade, and broader economic shifts from AI might indirectly affect demand. But here’s the encouraging part, especially for us as Christian parents raising the next generation: As Mike Rowe points out, blue-collar shortages are real, and AI might exacerbate that by automating low-skill entry points, but it elevates the need for human expertise.

For our kids, this means focusing on trades could lead to stable, well-paying careers that align with biblical values of hard work and stewardship, like in Proverbs 22:29: “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings.” The key? Reskilling will be essential; by 2025, many employees might need it due to tech changes. As homeschoolers, we have the flexibility to prepare our children with practical skills now, blending faith, education, and real-world training. For more insights, check out resources like The Epoch Times articles on jobs surviving AI and Fox News on blue-collar opportunities.

7 Points on Vocational Training While Homeschooling

To help you explore this further, here are seven additional points on vocational training while homeschooling. Each includes potential outcomes for your child (sorry the teacher in me just can’t resist!). Some of the outcomes cover building confidence, financial independence, and a sense of purpose as well as other resources tailored for Christian homeschool families.

I’ve drawn from sites that align with encouraging blue-collar paths as honorable, God-given callings, and included references to my own Vintage Homeschool Moms episodes where they fit. Please note that I do not have firsthand knowledge of all these websites; however, I am familiar with some. Please do your  own due diligence when considering these options for your family.

1. Apprenticeships in Trades:

   Start with on-the-job shadowing or formal apprenticeships in carpentry, electrical, or plumbing. In our state you can begin at sixteen, however you must complete an OSHA approved course.
   Outcome: Kids gain hands-on experience, earn while learning, and often secure full-time jobs post-high school, avoiding college debt while developing discipline and problem-solving skills rooted in real work.
   Resource: Check out the OSHA website. My grandson worked through an approved class with a printed certificate. There are limitations on what teens sixteen and seventeen can do on a job site. Another resource is The Unlikely Homeschool, which offers practical tips for homeschool high schoolers, including how to set up apprenticeships safely. Also, check out our Vintage Homeschool Moms episode, “7 Ways to Earn High School Credits,” for information on crediting apprenticeships toward graduation.

2. Online Vocational Courses for Trades:

   Enroll in flexible online programs covering basics like mechanics or tool repair, which your teen can do alongside homeschool studies. I do not have first hand knowledge of these, other than what I read on the website, so check them out before opting in.
   Outcome: Builds a portfolio of skills leading to certifications, higher starting pay (e.g., $20-25/hour as in my son’s early repair business, although YouTube was his instructor). These include entrepreneurial opportunities that foster independence and stewardship.
   Resource: Path to Pro’s free on-demand training program teaches transferable soft skills and trade knowledge.

3. Trade School Prep for Homeschoolers:

   If you don’t have a friend or relative who can give your child on-the-job training, consider a vocational school as a post-homeschool option, focusing on blue-collar careers such as HVAC or welding.
   Outcome: Shorter training (often 1-2 years) leads to debt-free entry into high-demand jobs paying $50,000+ annually, promoting family stability and the dignity of labor as mentioned in Colossians 3:23 (Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men…)
   Resource Check Out: BridgePath Prep’s guide, specifically designed for homeschoolers, on trade school paths.

4. Family Business or Entrepreneurship Training:
   

   Incorporate business skills into homeschooling, like starting a small repair or landscaping service. My children grew up with parents who own their own businesses. We have several businesses, a publishing/media company (MediaAngels.com,  United Inspection Services, a home-inspection business, and Gerwitz Construction.)
   Outcome: Teaches financial literacy, work ethic, and family teamwork, potentially leading to owning a business that provides for generations while honoring God’s provision.
   Resource: Our Vintage Homeschool Moms episode “Fun Summer Projects: Family Business and Entrepreneurs” has ideas to get started. I’ve spoken on the topic of a family business at several homeschool conferences, and this is of interest to many homeschool families. Blue Collar Edu platform exposes kids to career opportunities in trades.

5. Virtual Trade Schools:

   Use online platforms for simulated training in skilled trades, accessible from home.
   Outcome: Prepares teens for certifications without leaving your homeschool routine, leading to flexible careers that fit family life and allow for ministry or missions work.
   Resource: The Blue Collar Recruiter’s Virtual Trade School offers affordable paths to careers like skilled trades.

6. Community and Co-op Vocational Programs:

   Join homeschool co-ops or church groups offering trade workshops. Ask your neighbors, your friends in your homeschool group or your church. Does someone know someone who is interested in hosting a session for homeschoolers?
   Outcome: Builds community, accountability, and social skills, resulting in well-rounded young adults ready for blue-collar roles that serve others, echoing Jesus’ carpenter roots. And, my husband is a carpenter, so there is a bit of bias here!

7. Certification-Focused Homeschool Electives:

   Tailor high school courses around repair, mechanics, or construction certifications.
   Outcome: Equips kids with marketable skills for immediate employment, boosting self-esteem and aligning with Proverbs 16:3’s call to commit work to the Lord.
   Resource: Penn Foster Career School offers online vocational programs suitable for homeschoolers. Bridgeway Academy’s Christian homeschool options include customizable vocational tracks. True North Academy offers an accredited Trade Tech Diploma designed for completion in two years and includes advising for families.

I know many parents have changed their minds about the importance of college. And, I agree that it is not the goal for many families.

I hope this podcast has helped you sort out some of the questions you might have. Next up is a podcast that focuses on jobs, but in the sense of prerequisites that are important for students to have before entering the job force! Thanks for joining me on Vintage Homeschool Moms. Remember, whether your child pursues tech, trades, or something in between, God has a plan for their life!

Visit ultimateradioshow.com and VintageHomeschoolMoms.com for more episodes. Until next time, I’ll talk to you soon, take care, and God bless!