Work, the appeal of technical-practical jobs is growing: 1 in 4 young people ready to undertake them after graduation

The new generations are re-evaluating “manual” jobs, especially if they are highly specialized.

Especially among the male component, where over a third (35%) is thinking of undertaking one of these paths. Leading, at the same time, to the collapse of some stereotypes: today only 1 in 5 thinks that with a high school diploma one must necessarily go to university.

In high school, 1 in 4 students is considering the possibility, for his future, of choosing a technical-practical job. Considering only the male component, the figure rises to 1 in 3.

This figure is up from a similar survey conducted exactly one year ago, when only 19% of young people were inclined to take up these professions.
The digital and electronics industry, the chemical-pharmaceutical sector and the hotel and restaurant sector are the most attractive areas for girls. Boys are especially interested in the transport industry sector, as well as digital and tourist accommodation.

Only 1 in 5 high school students believes that with a high school diploma one must necessarily graduate to then carry out theoretical work, discarding a priori technical-practical work: a prejudice that a year ago concerned 1 in 3 students.

Something is changing: technical-practical professions are starting to gain consensus among the new generations. This is excellent news, given that at the same time the world of work is constantly struggling to find people prepared to carry them out. This was revealed by the annual Observatory “Giovani e Professioni”, created by Skuola.net in collaboration with Autostrade per l'Italia, interviewing 2.500 high school students.

Indeed, among young people nearing graduation, approximately 1 in 4 is considering these occupations as a potential future option, especially if they offer a high level of education and consequently high salaries. In short, there are many young men—here the figure rises to 1 in 3—but also young women interested in exploring and pursuing technical-practical professions, provided the right conditions are met.

The number of students well disposed towards a more manual than theoretical career, however, is growing rapidly over time. Just compare the current data with those of the 2022 Observatory: at that time, practical jobs convinced only 19% of the interviewees and 26% of the males.

Furthermore, just as quickly, the group of young people who a priori reject this future is starting to empty, falling below the psychological threshold of fifty percent: from 53% a year ago to the current 49%; which among males is reduced to 39%.

We could therefore be facing a mini-revolution. Also because, at the same time, some stereotypes are losing strength. For example, those who discard practical professions due to conjectures related to their socio-economic status have dropped from 19% to 14%: for them, these professions would not be suitable for their gender or for the social recognition expected from the context of reference or from their parents themselves.

Likewise, another major preconception is weakening: now only 1 in 5 students consider it almost “obligatory” for a high school student to undertake a more theoretical profession after graduating; while twelve months ago it was 1 in 3.

In short, these signals perhaps provide a glimmer of hope for bridging the gap between demand (of the job market) and supply (of young people's skills), perhaps through professional and specific post-diploma training courses, as 57% of those interviewed rightly believe.

But what are the sectors that attract the 51% of high school students who don't say no to a technical-practical profession? Here too, gender can make a big difference. Nearly half of men concentrate their preferences on a podium that sees the mobility sector—automotive, rail, and aeronautics—in first place, followed by the digital and electronics industries and the hotel and restaurant services sector.

Instead, practically half of women are divided in equal shares, in order, between the digital and electronics sector, the food/chemical/pharmaceutical sector and the hotel and catering services sector. One of the strategic sectors for the development of the country is also gaining preferences, even though it is still less popular: 6% of men and 8% of women would consider a job in the construction and infrastructure sector.

In this regard, the Autostrade per l'Italia Group itself is personally carrying out several projects. Like the Amplia Academy, a real "workshop of trades" designed to anticipate the training courses dedicated to the main professional figures sought. Training technical-practical roles in the sectors of its expertise, such as the construction assistant, the carpenter, the driver of special vehicles, the miner. Specializations increasingly in demand, but for which the supply of manpower is currently very lacking in our country.

"Anticipating the orientation and training of younger generations," says Gian Luca Orefice, Director of Human Capital Organization at the ASPI Group, "is crucial for our Group. We have a duty to invest in people, building a solid network with businesses and institutions, to ensure we prepare younger generations to build a more sustainable world and create the professionals of the future for the job market."

"Technical-practical professions can represent a response to the main needs of those within Generation Z who are projecting themselves towards the world of work," emphasizes Daniele Grassucci, director of Skuola.net, "given that, based on data from the "Young People and Professions" Observatory, the three most important aspects required of a job, for them, are good pay, an adequate work-life balance, and high standards of workplace safety.

Precisely what, thanks to the evolution of the job market and technologies, these professions are able to offer more than in the past. Moreover, combining them with a strong value element: contributing to the creation of products or services useful for the community; another aspect, this, very important for 9 out of 10 young people. This explains why manual activities, especially if highly specialized, are becoming more attractive for today's girls and boys again".