Electrician Carolina Marrero has warned of a severe generational shortage in traditional skilled trades, calling for greater support for young workers entering manual industries.
Speaking after receiving a professional recognition award at the Construction Sector Fair of Madrid last March, Marrero emphasized that incoming generations need urgent encouragement to fill essential technical roles.
The award was presented to Marrero for sharing her professional experience, giving voice to women working in technical fields, and proving that talent has no gender. Marrero, who has Venezuelan roots and is based in the Basque Country, describes herself as passionate about her profession.
During her acceptance speech, the technician highlighted that the shortage of workers spans vital areas including masonry, plumbing, and electricity. She noted that a generation is coming behind that really needs a lot of encouragement to take up these roles.
Shortage of skilled manual workers
The warning comes amidst a growing contrast between rapid artificial intelligence developments and traditional labor needs. While research from institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology highlights how artificial intelligence threatens sectors like software development and administrative management, tradespeople point to an alarming lack of young apprentices.
The concern expressed by manual tradespeople is shared by leading figures in the technology industry. Jensen Huang, chief executive officer of NVIDIA, has voiced a similar sentiment regarding the necessity of practical manual skills alongside digital automation.
Addressing the daily realities of working on construction sites, Marrero spoke openly about both the rewarding aspects of the trade and its physical and mental demands. From her own experience, she sought to dispel gender prejudices that persist in technical occupations, stating that while her being a woman has a significant impact, there is no gender for what is done, nor is there gender for electricity.
Role of social media in trade recruitment
Marrero stressed that the core of her message is the urgent need to revalue manual professions to secure generational replacement, which is currently at a minimum. She argued that demonstrating enthusiasm and highlighting quality work is the only way to attract young people to essential roles that algorithms and AI agents cannot replace.
She stated that the beauty of life lies in giving the best of oneself in the most professional manner while ensuring a positive impact on the generation that follows.
In addition to her work on job sites, Marrero operates as a content creator under the social media profile @elec.carolina. She uses her platform and public appearances to provide necessary visibility to foundational trades that underpin broader economic sectors like construction.
