When you think about AI, tech jobs, and blue-collar workers, are you fearful or full of hope? In this episode, we will tackle the question that many homeschool parents wonder. Is college worth all the money? Join me as we explore this topic and how it may impact your children in the near future.

AI, Tech Jobs, and Blue-Collar Workers ~ Episode 563
Welcome to Vintage Homeschool Moms. Today, we are going to discuss the joys, challenges, and prepare our kids for the future. I love to think I homeschooled with a heart for faith and family first, and I’m so blessed to be with you today if you are a first-time listener, welcome.

For those of you who are faithful listeners, thanks for tuning in and welcome back! I'm your host, Felice Gerwitz, and today we're tackling a timely topic: AI, Tech Jobs, and Blue-Collar Workers. Today, we will discuss how the rapid advancements in technology are shaking up the job market—and what that means for our kids' futures as homeschool families.

Thanks to our sponsor! CTCMath.com, be sure to check the homeschool link for deep discounts.
The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Jobs
Much has happened in the last few years, and the quantum leap in AI technology is frightening, to say the least. That is, if you have a healthy understanding of how search engines function, and what used to be a useful tool has now turned into something much more accurate. It's not perfect—thankfully—but AI is way better than the robot voice that used to greet me when I turned on AOL. If you're old enough to remember, you'd hear those words, “You’ve got mail.”

The power of AI technology is threatening some of the most sophisticated jobs, including accounting, medical analysis, decision-making, code creation, marketing, and much, much more. Many analysts fear that entry-level white-collar jobs are easily replaceable in the future, especially as AI continues to improve. Have you walked into a fast-food restaurant, only to be greeted with rows of kiosks or computer screens ready to take your order? This is AI in the workplace, replacing real people with a machine that's faster and as accurate as the person inputting the information.
What about blue-collar jobs?
Currently, they seem safe, but in the past, many jobs were replaced with automation. The car industry is one example, having replaced assembly lines staffed with workers with machines. But thankfully, car assembly workers are still necessary. In the not-so-distant future—well, actually, just recently—when the dock workers went on strike, one of the concessions was the shipping industry agreeing not to replace all dock workers with automation. I'm sure at some point it will happen, but it was a win for the workers and the powerful unions.
Will computers take over everything? And where does it stop?
Well, it seems that with highly skilled blue-collar workers, their jobs are safe for now. All of this discussion hits close to home for me. We run a service industry, supplying carpenters to contractors to build homes. My husband owns a construction business. While he is a general contractor, his focus is on the carpentry aspect of construction—rough carpentry.

This is a highly skilled area of new house construction. They are the ones who build exterior walls (if they're out of wood, set trusses (those pointy-looking things that are raised with a crane), and build interior walls—sometimes with wood and other times with metal. Anything involving wood framing is under his purview.

Most of the men on the job are strong and young, able to climb ladders, get on roofs, and balance on beams. They can lift those heavy power tools and work with powerful nail-guns. Let’s just say I avoid the job sites after visiting with m...