Lowe's CEO's advice for young workers as AI replaces jobs

Published: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 9:45 am

Lowe's CEO: Focus on Skilled Trades as AI Reshapes the Workforce

Artificial intelligence is poised to significantly alter the job market, with many white-collar roles facing potential displacement. However, Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison believes that skilled trades and customer-facing positions will remain in high demand, offering young workers a path to secure employment.

Speaking at the Business Roundtable's CEO Workforce Forum, Ellison emphasized the limitations of AI, noting its inability to perform tasks requiring physical labor or direct interaction with customers. He pointed to the significant unmet demand for skilled trades workers in the United States, citing hundreds of thousands of job openings in construction and manufacturing.

Ellison's advice to young workers is to prioritize roles that keep them close to customers and the point of sale. He believes these positions will offer consistent employment opportunities and avenues for career growth. This perspective aligns with the broader trend of companies anticipating AI-driven workforce changes, with some, like Amazon, planning to reduce their white-collar workforce.

To support this shift, Lowe's offers its employees tuition-free education programs, enabling them to acquire skills in various trades. Ellison highlighted that these programs often lead to employees working for Lowe's customers, such as general contractors and builders, further addressing the shortage of skilled labor. This approach underscores the importance of practical skills and hands-on experience in an evolving job market.

BNN's Perspective:

Ellison's advice offers a pragmatic perspective on navigating the changing employment landscape. While AI will undoubtedly reshape the workforce, the demand for skilled trades and customer-facing roles is likely to remain strong. Encouraging young workers to pursue these paths, coupled with initiatives like Lowe's tuition-free programs, could help bridge the skills gap and ensure a more resilient workforce. This approach balances the need for technological advancement with the enduring value of human skills and direct interaction.

Keywords: AI, artificial intelligence, jobs, workforce, skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, Lowe's, Marvin Ellison, employment, education, customer service, career, technology, Amazon

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