DEWALT® Releases Survey About How Next Generation of Workers Perceive Skilled Careers
DEWALT’s global survey of WorldSkills competitors highlights rising respect for skilled trades but persistent barriers to young people entering vocational careers.
Rhea-AI Summary
Stanley Black & Decker (SWK), through its DEWALT brand, released results from an online survey of 534 WorldSkills competitors from more than 60 countries and regions conducted August 18–28, 2026, on perceptions of skilled careers.
The findings show 76% of respondents believe technical and vocational skills are increasingly important to the global economy, yet 51% think too few young people are entering the trades. While 71% say public image of these careers has improved, 52% were encouraged toward traditional academic paths versus 14% toward technical and vocational careers. Respondents highlight early exposure and access as barriers: 45% say young people are not exposed to skilled career opportunities soon enough, 53% felt pressure to pursue university, 45% want more chances to try skilled work firsthand, 38% favor more paid apprenticeships, and 88% view financial assistance as important for access to vocational education.
DEWALT will support WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 as a premium partner and tools sponsor, backing two Team USA competitors and promoting its Grow the Trades program.
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Key Figures
- Survey respondents
- n=534 respondents
- DEWALT survey across 60+ countries and regions
- Importance of vocational skills
- 76%
- Respondents said technical and vocational skills are increasingly important to the global economy
- Insufficient trade entrants
- 51%
- Respondents said too few young people are entering the trades
- Improved public image
- 71%
- Respondents said the public image of technical and vocational careers has improved
- Traditional academic encouragement
- 52%
- Respondents said they were encouraged toward traditional academic paths
- Vocational career encouragement
- 14%
- Respondents said they were encouraged toward technical and vocational careers
- Hands-on work exposure
- 45%
- Selected more opportunities to try skilled work firsthand
- Financial assistance importance
- 88%
- Respondents said financial assistance is important to vocational education access
Historical Context
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Committed $60 million through Grow the Trades by 2030 to expand training access.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- DEWALT® surveys 500 WorldSkills competitors across 60+ countries and regions on the future of skilled careers, workforce readiness and training
- Survey identified gap between improving perception of skilled trades and their contribution to the economy and encouragement to enter vocational careers
- President and CEO of Stanley Black & Decker, Chris Nelson, to discuss the essential role skilled tradespeople play in today's economy and how to support next generation of skilled trades at WorldSkills Shanghai Competition 2026
The survey revealed that the next generation of trades professionals recognize their importance and contributions to the global economy, but simultaneously also perceive a disconnect between the importance of their work and the pathways available to enter the field. According to the survey results,
"The real economy runs on skilled labor - across housing, transportation, manufacturing, energy, and digital infrastructure - and global demand for these professionals continues to rise. As an industry, we have a responsibility not only to celebrate the people who power these essential sectors, but also to invest in creating pathways into the skilled trades," said Chris Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stanley Black & Decker. "Through DEWALT's Grow the Trades program and partnerships with organizations like WorldSkills, we are working to raise awareness of these rewarding careers and expand access for the next generation of skilled tradespeople."
Key Survey Takeaways
- The future is being built by skilled workers. Three-quarters (
76% ) of respondents say technical and vocational skills are increasingly important to the global economy, yet51% believe too few young people are entering the trades. Respondents point to barriers that begin early:45% say young people are not exposed to skilled career opportunities soon enough, while53% say they felt pressure to pursue a university or traditional academic career.
- The perception of skilled careers is improving, but the pathways into the trades have not caught up. While
71% said the public image of technical and vocational careers has improved,52% were still encouraged toward more traditional academic paths, compared to just14% who were encouraged toward technical and vocational careers.
- Growing the pipeline starts with earlier exposure and more accessible routes in. When asked how to encourage more young people to pursue skilled careers,
45% selected more opportunities to try skilled work firsthand and38% selected more paid apprenticeships or earn-while-you-learn pathways. Additionally,88% of respondents said financial assistance is important to making technical or vocational education more attainable.
"Skilled careers are the engine of economies everywhere, and this generation of competitors understands that. They are not waiting to be told trades matter – they are proving it, with new technology as one more set of tools in their hands," said David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International.
Supporting American Skilled Trades at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026
As a premium partner and tools sponsor for WorldSkills International, and platinum sponsor of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, DEWALT is proud to support its mission to equip the next generation of skilled professionals with the training, experience and opportunities needed to succeed.
DEWALT is sponsoring two Team
Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Stanley Black & Decker, will also participate in a fireside chat at the event, where he will discuss the critical role skilled trade workers play in driving innovation, growth and progress around the world.
Follow DEWALT on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for updates on WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 taking place between September 22 – 27, 2026.
About DEWALT
DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, is a leader in total jobsite solutions. For more than 100 years, DEWALT has been powering the future of construction with tools and technologies that have been designed, built and tested to help deliver safety and productivity on every jobsite. For more information, visit www.dewalt.com or follow DEWALT on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Stanley Black & Decker
Founded in 1843 and headquartered in the
About WorldSkills
Since 1950, WorldSkills has come to symbolize the pinnacle of excellence in vocational training. It provides a unique means of exchange and comparison of world-class competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors of the global economy. The continued growth of WorldSkills attests to the fact that traditional trade and craft skills, along with newer technology's multi-skilled occupations, make an essential contribution to the economic and social well-being of people everywhere. For more information, go to: www.worldskills.org.
Methodology
DEWALT conducted an online survey of WorldSkills competitors from August 18–28, 2026. The survey was distributed to more than 1,000 competitors, with n=534 respondents participating across 60+ countries and regions. Base sizes vary by question, as not all respondents answered every question.
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SOURCE DEWALT
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
How was the DEWALT survey of WorldSkills competitors conducted?
DEWALT conducted an online survey of WorldSkills competitors between August 18 and August 28, 2026. The survey was distributed to more than 1,000 competitors, with 534 respondents participating across 60+ countries and regions. Base sizes vary by question because not all respondents answered every question.
What specific barriers into skilled careers did respondents identify?
Respondents cited several barriers: 45% said young people are not exposed to skilled career opportunities soon enough, and 53% reported feeling pressure to pursue a university or traditional academic path. To encourage more entrants, 45% recommended more opportunities to try skilled work firsthand, 38% supported more paid apprenticeships or earn-while-you-learn pathways, and 88% said financial assistance is important for making technical or vocational education more attainable.
How is DEWALT participating in WorldSkills Shanghai 2026?
DEWALT is a premium partner and tools sponsor for WorldSkills International and a platinum sponsor of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. It is sponsoring two Team USA competitors, plumbing apprentice Charles “Charlie” Goede and residential builder and business owner Tristan Coates, by providing tools and resources during their training. The company’s President and CEO, Chris Nelson, will also join a fireside chat at the event.
What is DEWALT’s Grow the Trades program?
Grow the Trades is DEWALT’s program focused on recruiting more people into the skilled trades by increasing awareness of these careers, expanding pathways into vocational roles, and making vocational careers more accessible. The program aligns with DEWALT’s sponsorship of WorldSkills and its broader efforts to support the next generation of skilled professionals.