Mike Rowe says the one thing AI won’t replace is trade jobs—and he’s urging young people to pay attention. As artificial intelligence disrupts white-collar industries, blue-collar skills may become America’s most secure path to work.
Key Facts:
- Mike Rowe said AI threatens coding jobs but not trades like plumbing, welding, and electrical work.
- He made the remarks during the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit in July 2025.
- The construction industry is projected to need 439,000 new workers in 2025 and 499,000 in 2026, according to ABC.
- The skilled labor force is shrinking due to mass retirements and a lack of new workers entering the field.
- Rowe warned that this shortage could have serious national security consequences if U.S. production falters.
The Rest of The Story:
Mike Rowe, CEO of the MikeRoweWorks Foundation and host of “How America Works,” addressed a growing concern about AI’s effect on jobs during a recent summit in Pennsylvania.
While many worry about artificial intelligence replacing human workers, Rowe says there’s one category of work that remains untouched: the skilled trades.
“We’ve been telling kids for 15 years to code. ‘Learn to code,’ we said,” Rowe told attendees. “Yeah, well, AI is coming for the coders.”
But, he argued, it isn’t coming for the welders, plumbers, steamfitters, or electricians.
This warning comes amid a growing labor shortage in construction and other trades.
Many skilled workers are retiring, and younger generations aren’t replacing them fast enough.
Rowe noted that, “Every year, for every five tradespeople who retire, two people replace them.”
Consulting group McKinsey confirms the problem is worsening.
Infrastructure upgrades, energy transitions, and real estate redevelopment are driving demand for tradespeople.
But supply isn’t keeping up.
According to the Associated Builders and Contractors, the U.S. will need nearly half a million new construction workers next year alone.
If those roles remain unfilled, ABC’s chief economist Anirban Basu warns that labor costs will spike and fewer projects will be economically feasible.
Mike Rowe: “We’ve been telling kids for 15 years to learn to code.”
“Well, AI is coming for the coders.”
“It’s not coming for the welders, the plumbers, the steamfitters, the pipefitters, the HVAC, or the electricians.”
“In Aspen, I sat and listened to Larry Fink say we need… pic.twitter.com/3ZpvEgP0Ha
— Holden Culotta (@Holden_Culotta) July 16, 2025
Commentary:
Mike Rowe is ringing the alarm bell, and this time, Americans should listen.
For years, students were steered toward white-collar office jobs, especially in tech.
But the same AI that was supposed to create the jobs of the future is now eliminating them—starting with the coders.
Meanwhile, we still need someone to install the HVAC, fix the broken water line, and wire the new home addition.
Those aren’t jobs ChatGPT or a robot arm will be doing anytime soon.
Physical, hands-on trades require coordination, local presence, and judgment that AI and machines haven’t cracked yet.
Parents, teachers, and policymakers need to face the truth: the trades are not a backup plan—they’re a frontline opportunity.
These are essential jobs that build and maintain the real world.
Unlike many tech jobs, they can’t be outsourced, automated, or instantly replaced.
Young people looking to secure their future should think twice before defaulting to a screen-based career.
The country desperately needs electricians, welders, and pipefitters. These jobs pay well, offer stability, and—most importantly—can’t be done by an algorithm.
The skilled labor shortage is more than an economic issue. It’s a national one.
If we can’t build and maintain infrastructure, we risk falling behind not just economically, but militarily and logistically.
Our ability to manufacture, transport, and maintain critical systems depends on the people doing the hands-on work.
Yes, someday robots may be able to run wires or sweat pipes. But that day is still years—maybe decades—away.
The AI threat to jobs is real and immediate. And the smartest move right now might just be putting on a hard hat and picking up a tool.
The Bottom Line:
Mike Rowe is sounding a clear warning: while AI comes for tech jobs, trade workers are still essential—and safe for now.
America’s skilled labor shortage is growing worse, with serious economic and national consequences.
If young people want job security in the age of artificial intelligence, the trades offer a path that’s both honorable and future-proof.
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