WELCOME TO THE ZONE how many jobs will be lost

@DogMan Are the reasons for the shortages known and being addressed?

@ArishMell Here are two reasons

Why Fewer People Are Entering Trade Work
Fewer young people are choosing skilled trades despite strong demand and high pay because of a mix of cultural, educational, and perception-based factors.

1. Cultural pressure toward college
For decades, the dominant message—especially from parents and older generations—has been that a four-year college degree is the only path to success. This has led many to view trade careers as “less prestigious” or as a fallback if they can’t succeed in academia

. Even as college costs rise and job prospects soften, the “college = success” narrative persists, discouraging many from considering trades.

2. Stigma and outdated perceptions
Trade work is often stereotyped as dirty, physically demanding, or “old-fashioned,” which can deter younger generations. Many young people see tech or white-collar careers as more innovative and modern, even though trades are increasingly integrating advanced technology and sustainability practices

@DogMan That's likely a brand name and might not be sold in the UK, but although changing the belt should be easy, the difficulty on many cars now, with transverse engines, is the sheer inaccessibility of components!

@ArishMell They call them Serpentine belts because of the way they snake through the motor.


A serpentine belt is a single, continuous belt used in automotive engines to drive multiple peripheral devices, such as the alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor.

@DogMan Yes, I know the applications and the tortuous paths they need make. Your use of capital-'S' made me think a brand-name.

My Renault's coolant pump is directly driven by the crankshaft but the other auxiliaries are belt driven. The pump seal failed several months ago and that was definitely a garage repair, as everything is so cramped in there. Further, I have no parking space on my own land and the street is not the best place for anything more than the most minor repairs.

@DogMan It will depend very much on the degree.

A degree in something like sociology or sports-scentre management, maybe, but AI cannot develop new knowledge, only regurgitate existing knowledge - and that without acknowledging its sources.

We will still need the creators, the originators, the researchers, the surgeons, the musicians....

@DogMan i can walk i dont drive. Its so much chea]er and less stressful not driving. Wow!

@jehova Walking is great, That is one of my hobbies. It's good for the body and mind.

@jehova Are you into the Oculus VR? My wife got it to do exercise, I use it just to experience
crazy stuff. From Wild life and scuba diving to race cars and roller coasters.
Although the roller coasters gave me a headache,
I had to go lay down for a while after that 🫨