In Taiwan, an increasing number of young people are entering the blue-collar workforce, particularly in fields like plumbing and carpentry. Mr. Lee, a 1990-born electrician, has accumulated extensive work experience despite his youth. He previously worked in a convenience store but decided to learn a trade and switch to electrical work due to low wages. As he gains experience, his salary has gradually increased, attracting more young individuals to join this profession.

Mr. Lee works hard daily, often going in dry and coming out wet. Although the working conditions are harsher than in an office—without air conditioning and requiring heavy lifting—he has become accustomed to this work and finds it increasingly rewarding. Due to a labor shortage, the volume of electrical projects has risen, leading to increased income. According to Mr. Lee, apprentices now start with a salary of over NT$50,000, while skilled workers can earn between NT$80,000 and NT$90,000, plus project bonuses, bringing monthly earnings to over NT$100,000.

Another carpenter, Mr. Sun, who has been in the field for 16 years, points out that in the past, blue-collar work was extremely tough, with some journeymen unwilling to share knowledge, leaving apprentices to observe. However, the situation has changed; now, it is actually difficult to find apprentices. Mr. Sun not only leads apprentices on the job but also manages social media to showcase the diverse development of blue-collar professions.

According to a Gallup poll, only 36% of respondents expressed "a lot" or "quite a bit" of confidence in the higher education system, a significant drop from 57% in 2015. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the fastest-growing jobs include wind turbine technicians and solar panel installers, and positions in construction, plumbing, electrical, and transportation sectors are also experiencing considerable growth. Employment growth rates in these industries are expected to exceed 4% by 2033.

Mr. Sun hopes that the younger generations from the 80s and 90s will continue to support the carpentry industry. He states that the demand for carpenters in Taiwan is still strong, with daily wages for carpenters starting at NT$4,000, and the minimum wage for skilled workers at NT$3,500, with wages expected to rise further due to increasing market demand.

Data from job banks shows that some traditional blue-collar and gray-collar occupations have salary increases surpassing the overall average, exceeding 5%, and representing a leading group in salary growth. These roles include environmental health and safety, construction work, biotechnology research, and engineering, many of which face labor shortages, thereby warranting higher salaries due to the specialized skills required.

With 2024 data indicating an average salary of NT$53,094 for construction workers, an annual growth of 5.9%, and an average salary of NT$65,248 for software and engineering positions, with a growth rate of 5%, it reflects the upward trend in salaries and positions for blue-collar and gray-collar workers. Professionals from engineering project management platforms, like Ms. Hsieh, emphasize that many teams now only have one or two craftsmen, and when facing larger projects, they tend to cooperate with multiple teams. Over time, industry peers are more inclined to integrate and communicate rather than compete, presenting a commendable phenomenon.

As the blue-collar industry rises and the importance of professional skills becomes increasingly prominent, the white-collar class is no longer the universally envied group. Mastery of a trade has become crucial for success in the workplace, with the value reflected in the income earned.