Gen Z Doesn’t Need More Convincing. It Needs More Opportunity.

A recent Fortune article by IYF’s President and CEO, Christina Sass, highlighting comments from Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company, points to a growing challenge: while young people are increasingly open to careers in the skilled trades, too many are struggling to complete the training and transition into long-term employment.

At the International Youth Foundation, we’ve seen the same reality around the world. Young people are eager for pathways that offer purpose, stability, and economic opportunity. The key is ensuring those pathways are accessible, aligned with employer needs, and supported by the resources young people need to succeed.

As demand for skilled workers continues to grow, expanding opportunity means more than encouraging young people to consider the trades. It means investing in the systems, partnerships, and support structures that help them build lasting careers.

Read the original Fortune article for more on why strengthening pathways into skilled trades matters for the future workforce.