It would be easy to define the new industrial revolution only with space mining, artificial intelligence or quantum computers. The real revolution is happening right at the heart of production, in workshops, factories and construction sites. Blue-collar workers, who are often overlooked when discussing the workforce of the future, are actually becoming the supporting pillar of this revolution. However, this time they are taking to the field not only with muscle power but also with digital literacy, environmental awareness and skills intertwined with technology.

Artificial intelligence, automation, green transformation and digitalization... All these concepts are radically transforming not only white-collar workers but also blue-collar jobs. Blue-collar work is no longer just working on a lathe or screwing on an assembly line. It also means working with robots, reading data and being able to analyze the production process through digital systems. For example, Forbes defines a separate category as “blue-collar digital jobs.” Positions such as 3D printing technicians, robot-assisted warehouse managers and digital production line operators represent the combination of physical endurance and digital intelligence. Here are some of the blue-collar jobs of the new era:

The set of competencies expected from the blue-collar worker of the future is changing radically. Now, in addition to physical endurance, the ability to use digital tools, analyze data, and build a bridge between machine and human is sought. For example:

-Human-machine collaboration: A technician working on robotic assembly lines no longer only controls the machines; they can also program them and diagnose them in case of a malfunction.

-Digital literacy: Production software, ERP systems, and sensor interfaces have become everyday tools. A blue-collar worker who does not understand these systems is disadvantaged in the labor market.

-Green skills: Having knowledge in areas such as circular production, waste management, and energy efficiency is becoming inevitable both in terms of compliance with global standards and sustainability.

Socio-emotional competencies: Skills in areas such as teamwork, conflict management, and customer relations are now expected not only from office workers, but also from field workers.

David Autor, Arindrajit Dube, and Annie McGrew’s 2024 NBER study provides a striking demonstration of how low-wage workers were able to move to better jobs in the post-pandemic era. According to the study, the labor market in the United States has become so tight after the pandemic that employers have had difficulty retaining employees. This has created an opportunity, especially for young high school graduates: More companies have competed to hire this group and raised their wage offers.

In this environment, employees have also increased their incomes by moving from their current workplace to jobs that offer better conditions. The majority of wage increases went to employees who changed jobs rather than those who stayed in the same job. In other words, higher wages went to those who dared to change jobs, not to those who “stood still.”

Government support and temporary job losses during the pandemic also encouraged this mobility. Since people were able to search for jobs without feeling economic pressure for a while, they had the chance to consider better alternatives. In short, low-wage and “unskilled” employees were able to use their bargaining power to get better conditions in this increasingly competitive environment.

In the future production society, blue-collar workers with digital skills and environmental awareness will play a leading role as much as white-collar workers. As long as we put “people” at the center of the transformation, a future where technological progress strengthens social justice is possible.