The tech industry may be losing its shine in the eyes of younger workers. According to new data from Intelligent.com, the current tech layoffs and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are causing Gen Z to rethink their career paths. And in what could be very good news for food and beverage manufacturing, many are considering a blue collar career.

Key takeaways from the survey:

• 82% of tech majors are concerned about the layoffs currently happening in the industry. And 45% believe that AI, and particularly ChatGPT, will replac white collar jobs in the next 5 years.
• 43% of Gen Zers who plan to continue education after high school will go to a community college or trade school.
• 32% of Gen Zers plan to pursue a blue collar career, including many who are considering switching from a white collar career to a blue collar career.

One of the reasons the food and beverage industry has struggled to attract young workers is that the jobs aren’t viewed as “sexy” in the way that tech jobs are. But, in light of recent layoffs and fears about a recession, manufacturing jobs might have an even better selling point: they’re steady.

Gen Zers are entering the workforce at a pivotal time. The challenge for F&B will be reaching them with the right message before other industries snap them up.