Rethinking College Versus Apprenticeship

Skilled trades are becoming one of the most important — and overlooked — drivers of the global infrastructure boom. As trillions of dollars flow into energy systems, transportation networks, telecoms, and AI data centers, the constraint is no longer just capital — it’s labor. The scale of the infrastructure buildout is historic, but delivering it depends on the availability of trained workers.

In this episode of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido is joined by Claire Chamberlain, Global Head of Social Impact and President of the BlackRock Foundation, and Sandra Lawson, Managing Director in Global Corporate Affairs, to explore why skilled trades are central to the next phase of infrastructure investing. With an estimated $85 trillion in global infrastructure investment needed over the next 15 years, demand for electricians, HVAC technicians, grid specialists and plumbers is accelerating.

Claire and Sandra explain how apprenticeship-based career pathways offer paid training, competitive wages, and the prospect of long-term financial stability — while also highlighting the growing supply-demand imbalance in the labor market. The conversation explores how philanthropy, employers, unions, schools, and policymakers can work together to expand training capacity and modernize workforce development. As megaforces like AI and infrastructure reshape capital markets, human capital will be just as critical as financial capital in determining long-term economic success.

Key moments:

00:00 Introduction and meet the guests

02:13 WWhat the $85 trillion infrastructure opportunity means for labor markets

03:54 Why AI and infrastructure are increasing demand for specialized workers

04:45 Why Are These Skilled Jobs Good Jobs?

07:15 Training Pipeline Worker Shortage

08:43 Philanthropy as Catalyst For The Infrastructure Skilled Trades Requirement

10:41 What success looks like for workforce development in an infrastructure-driven economy

12:56 Rethinking Going to College vs Apprenticeships and Skilled Trades

15:25 How collaboration among employers, unions schools, and philanthropy can expand training capacity

17:19 Wrap Up and Disclosure

Skilled trades, infrastructure investing, workforce development, capital markets, AI infrastructure, megaforces, economic growth, energy transition

Sources: “On the record: Infrastructure and the opportunity in skilled trades”, BlackRock 2026

Written Disclosures In Episode Description:

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to any company or investment strategy mentioned is for illustrative purposes only and not investment advice. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures, visit blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures.

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