What is new collar jobs?
Beyond blue and white collars: Introducing new-collar jobs
While you’re likely familiar with terms like blue-collar jobs and white-collar work, a new category has emerged recently that you may not be familiar with: new-collar work. As the way we learn and work shifts through technological advancements and sociopolitical changes, the qualifications needed and how we obtain them are also shifting.
Find out what new collar work entails and how to prepare for a career in a new collar industry.
What is a new-collar job?
New-collar jobs are roles that require specialized technical skills and knowledge but don’t necessarily require a traditional four-year college degree. Former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty coined the term in 2016, and it has become increasingly popular and relevant in recent years as the workforce has shifted.
New collar jobs often involve skills learned through alternative pathways, such as:
- Vocational training
- Community colleges
- On-the-job training
- Certifications
- Apprenticeships
- Internships
- Coding boot camps
These jobs are in high demand due to rapid technological advancements and the evolving labor market needs. They also present meaningful opportunities for employees who may prefer nontraditional education paths and hands-on training programs or do not have the funds to pursue a traditional bachelor’s degree program.
New collar jobs benefit employees and employers by helping the workforce keep up with changing demands so that companies have the talent they need and employees can find fulfilling, well-paying jobs with a lower barrier to entry.
Examples of new-collar roles
New-collar jobs are available across various industries, from IT to healthcare. Some job titles that are commonly considered examples of new-collar roles include:
- Cybersecurity analysts
- Data scientists
- Cloud computing specialists
- AI and machine learning specialists
- Software and web developers
- UX/UI designers
- Digital marketing specialists
- Medical technicians
- Renewable energy technicians
Why new-collar jobs are important
- They provide an alternative pathway to well-paying careers for those who may not have access to or choose not to pursue a traditional four-year degree.
- They help address the skills gap by providing a pipeline of qualified workers for in-demand fields.
- They offer opportunities for career changers and those looking to upskill or reskill.
- They often lead to fulfilling careers in growing industries.
How to prepare for a new-collar job
If you’re a job seeker interested in pursuing a new collar career, here are the steps you’ll need to take to obtain a job in a new collar field.
Identify your interests and skills
Start by thinking about what you like and what skills you currently possess. For example, those who gravitate toward math and numbers may find data science interesting. At the same time, avid social media users may want to turn that interest into a digital marketing career.
The great thing about new collar work is that many of the hottest job opportunities align with things that many of us are interested in or passionate about, whether technology, the environment, helping others, or creative endeavors.
Research in-demand new-collar fields
Find out what new-collar roles and skill sets are most in demand in the job market. Many new collar jobs can be performed remotely, which may open up your possibilities. However, it’s also a good idea to see what roles are most in demand in your current area. You can also look at projected growth through resources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics to look at anticipated long-term demand.
One tip is to look into niches, subsets, different roles, or industries. For example, there are many new collar roles around artificial intelligence. However, not all are as in-demand as others.
So once you’ve identified an area of interest like AI, dig into specific specialties such as AI ethics, AI training, or robotics engineering. See what jobs are open and what skills or certifications they’re looking for in the job descriptions to narrow in on a more straightforward goal.
Explore training and education options
Research the available training options to help you pursue your chosen new-collar field. The key things to consider here are:
- Cost: How much will the programs cost? It’s a good idea to check in with local community colleges when seeking technology certificates or vocational training, as they often have relevant programs available for much cheaper than private educational companies.
- Delivery method: Do you prefer to learn online or in person? In a class environment or more hands-on? The great thing about nontraditional education pathways and new-collar work is that options are suited to various learning styles.
- Timeline: How long will the program take to complete? Do you want a fast-track program that will give you a certificate within months? That may make sense if you’re currently unemployed and must quickly enter the job market with updated skills.
Or do you want a more thorough program with plenty of hands-on training? These often take longer, and you may have several months of apprenticeship or internship time. However, they may help you learn better.
- Reputation: We often pick colleges based partially on reputation, and the same principle can apply to nontraditional training programs. Pursuing a certificate or training from a well-respected provider is helpful so that it looks good on your resume.
Find out what programs are generally respected in the industry and look into any school or program credentials if applicable.
Sometimes, continuing education programs from traditional colleges can also be a good source of vocational or certificate-based training, and you benefit from the college’s reputation and name recognition.
Network with professionals in your chosen field
Networking is an excellent way for any job seeker to learn about new opportunities or get referrals to top employers. However, it can be beneficial in new-collar work.
Many new collar jobs are in new and emerging fields, so it’s helpful to get to know people in these growing sectors to stay in the loop on employers entering the market, continuing education, and job opportunities.
New-collar professionals also don’t have as strong an alumni network to fall back on as 4-year colleges and related clubs or Greek organizations help students build a networking community.
With new collar work, you must take some initiative to do it yourself. The good news is that people in new-collar work are tech-savvy and active online, so you can do a lot of great networking through LinkedIn or professional online groups.
Build a strong portfolio of work
While this won’t apply to every new-collar job, employers hiring for many new-collar roles do highly prioritize work samples and portfolios instead of traditional educational credentials. Employers need a solid way to quickly see your specialized skills and how you can leverage them to create a polished product.
Make sure you save any projects you’re proud of or notable work completed during training programs, vocation classes, or internships for your portfolio. You can also build your portfolio through personal projects or volunteer work if something is still missing.
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to showcase your new skills
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight your new skills and any certifications or apprenticeship experience you’ve obtained. List soft skills alongside your technical skills to show hiring managers that your skills are well-rounded.
Switching to a skills-first resume template will help emphasize your relevant skills. Many traditional resume designs put education right at the top. However, if you only have a high school diploma, this may not make as strong of a first impression as putting your skills front and center.
The future of work and the rise of the new-collar workforce
Technology is rapidly advancing, changing how we work and the skills needed to fill modern job roles. Getting a one-and-done degree won’t necessarily equip you with all the key skills you need as technology evolves.
Even those with traditional degrees and white-collar jobs must invest in continuing education and skill development to stay ahead. This may include skills-based certification programs often used by new-collar workers.
New-collar work also appeals to many people in the modern age of work. The barrier to entry is lower due to the decreased educational costs.Young people are increasingly becoming disillusioned with traditional education.
They feel that a 4-year degree no longer guarantees a good job or a steady career. As a result, we’ll likely see a rise in high school graduates pursuing certification and vocational education. These graduates will choose this path instead of the traditional college experience.
Many new-collar jobs are also remote-friendly. However, that’s becoming a bit harder to find in other fields and may soon be seen as a significant perk, with large companies and the federal government rolling back remote work options for many traditional white-collar workers.
More resources:
Planning your career — get to the dream job you want
Skill-building strategies: How to grow professionally
Digital age workplace: Why soft skills matter more than ever
Want more insights like these? Visit Matthew Scherer’s author page to explore his other articles and expertise in business management.