The jobs of IT giant employees in the US that were taken over by AI Blue collar jobs attracting young people's expectations

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asahi.com ·2026-08-17

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The jobs of IT giant employees in the US that were taken over by AI Blue collar workers attracting young people's expectations In the United States, major IT companies have begun to cut jobs as they shift their focus from labor-intensive services to AI. Some young people are turning their attention to blue collar jobs that have relatively good working conditions and high pay. Google's parent company, Alphabet, announced on January 10 that it would cut about 12,000 jobs, or about 6% of its total workforce. The company has been promoting the use of AI in its services, and has introduced AI functions such as automatic response to user inquiries. Microsoft also announced on January 18 that it would cut 10,000 jobs. The company is shifting its focus from services that require a lot of labor, such as Windows and Office, to cloud and AI services. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, also cut 11,000 jobs, or about 13% of its workforce, last November. The company is also focusing on AI, and has developed technologies such as facial recognition and automatic translation. As major IT companies continue to cut jobs, some young people are turning their attention to blue collar jobs. According to a survey by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for young people aged 20-24 in blue collar jobs such as manufacturing, construction, and transportation was 83.4% in January, higher than the overall employment rate of 62.2% for that age group. The average annual salary for electricians and plumbers is around $60,000, and for carpenters and masons, it is around $50,000. These blue collar jobs often have good working conditions, with regular working hours and paid holidays. In addition, some companies are offering additional benefits, such as free college tuition and apprenticeships. For example, a large construction company in the US offers free college tuition to its employees and their families, and provides apprenticeships for young people who want to become carpenters and electricians. As a result, some young people are choosing to pursue blue collar jobs rather than white collar jobs. "I was interested in working with my hands and making things, so I chose to become an electrician," said a 22-year-old man who graduated from high school and became an electrician. "I like the fact that I can work on a variety of projects and see the results of my work," he said. Another young man, 24, who became a carpenter after graduating from high school, said, "I was attracted to the idea of working outdoors and being able to see the results of my work." "I think blue collar jobs are often misunderstood, but they can be very rewarding," he said. While major IT companies continue to cut jobs and promote the use of AI, blue collar jobs are attracting attention from young people. asahi.com

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The jobs of IT giant employees in the US that were taken over by AI Blue collar jobs attracting young people's expectations

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