As Labor Day 2025 approaches, the job market faces significant challenges, particularly in the white-collar sector. Companies are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency, resulting in a shift that could favor blue-collar workers. This trend is unfolding at institutions like Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, where the focus is on equipping students with trade skills that leverage advanced technology.
Jeff Andre, an instructor in the college’s Process Technology program, emphasizes the limitations of technology. He asserts, “You can’t build a machine that can think like a human, act like a human, or look out for each other like humans can. You need people to operate that.” Despite the surge in AI development, the need for human input remains critical, especially in hands-on roles.
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has sparked a race among companies to integrate AI into their workflows. Mark Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, described this shift during a recent appearance on the Logan Bartlett podcast. He noted, “We’re now providing digital workers, you know, digital labor. And that is, like, the huge awakening that this is a new, exciting world.” He highlighted the significant productivity gains observed in engineering at Salesforce, revealing that the company is reconsidering its hiring plans due to the efficiency brought by AI agents.
While such developments may excite business leaders, the impact on recent graduates appears to be less optimistic. Michael Bernick, a workforce consultant at the firm Duane and Morris and former head of California’s Employment Development Department, pointed out a troubling statistic: over half of college graduates in the state are currently employed in positions that do not require a degree. Bernick believes that white-collar professionals face the greatest risk from the rise of AI.
He stated, “The narrative of past Labor Days, over the past 50 years, has almost entirely been one of our blue-collar decline. Those jobs are making a comeback. And the important thing about those jobs is that they can’t be replaced by AI.” The historical preference for four-year university education has often led to the stigmatization of community colleges and trade schools. Bernick attributes this to what he calls the “Education-Industrial Complex,” which has created biases against blue-collar professions.
Despite these biases, Andre urges a reevaluation of vocational training. “We’re really trying to reach people of all ages right now to say, you don’t have to sign up for a four-year school if that’s not your thing,” he explained. “Learn a trade. Learn a skill. Because if you do learn a trade or a skill, you can take it anywhere.” This perspective is especially relevant in a post-pandemic landscape where job opportunities have become increasingly volatile.
The combination of factors influencing employment today—ranging from technological advancements to shifts in economic demand—suggests that those equipped with practical skills may find themselves with a significant advantage. As the job market evolves, the resurgence of blue-collar roles might serve as a stabilizing force in an uncertain economic climate.
