Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z is roaring into the workplace and headed straight to your door. According to Thumbtack’s Future of Skilled Trades Report, 55% of Gen Z is now considering a career in the skilled trades, up 12 points from last year. It’s a growing trend that earned them a new moniker: The Toolbelt Generation.

Who are these kids, why are they choosing the skilled trades over four-year degrees, and how should you approach hiring them?

Here’s an inside look into how and why Gen Z may be your newest employees.

Skilled trades are AI-proof

There’s a growing fear among this young generation that AI is going to render many white-collar careers obsolete. Traditional manufacturing jobs seem risky as the bots take over assembly lines. White collar office jobs in accounting, customer service, and sales are falling to automated programs and chat bots.

But the skilled trades are generally AI-proof. Yes, AI is being used in HVAC and plumbing and other trades to make operations more efficient, but it simply cannot replace a human going to a job site to install PEX in an older home or fit it with central air. A bot can’t now, and never will be able to, do that.

Student debt is crushing

Gen Z has seen Millennials and Gen X struggle under the crushing weight of student debt, even as the job market swings from boom to bust. Gen Z wonders if those expensive four-year degrees are worth it, and many report feeling deceived about the importance of a traditional college education. Why not choose a more affordable two-year degree in the trades and have a guaranteed job waiting for you upon graduation?

Skilled trade workers like their jobs and feel secure

The same Thumbtack report revealed that 95% of skilled trades workers feel optimistic about their profession and their future and 89% have great job satisfaction. Yes, you read that right. It’s an astonishing percentage that is 30 points higher than lawyers, and 17 points higher than doctors. We’re doing a whole lot right in the trades and this new generation is taking notice.

Social media is helping fuel this trend

Gen Z has never known the world without the internet, smartphones, constant access to information, tech-based communication, or social media. It’s not surprising they report social media is second only to their parents in influencing their career paths.

So, Gen Z is coming your way. But that doesn’t mean you should recruit, hire, and retain them the same way you did 20 years ago.

In Part 2 of this series, we’ll highlight what is important to Gen Z in the workplace, and offer tips for recruiting, hiring, and retaining this new generation.