Latest news with #postPandemic
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gen Z is ditching college for ‘more secure' trade jobs—but building inspectors, electricians and plumbers actually have the worst unemployment
With AI coming for white collar work, Gen Z have been ditching college and corner office ambitions, in favor of taking up traditional trades like welding, plumbing, and carpentry. But they're in for a rude awakening: high unemployment rates, unhappiness and automation risks. Trade jobs are having a moment. Touted as the smarter, safer alternative to 'irrelevant' overpriced degrees and entry level white-collar jobs (which tech CEOs warn could soon to be swallowed by AI), traditional manual work is experiencing a resurgence among Gen Z. Around 78% of Americans say they've noticed a spike in young people turning to jobs like carpentry, electrical work and welding, according to a 2024 Harris Poll for Intuit Credit Karma. They're not wrong. Trade school enrollment really has been surging post-pandemic, even outpacing university enrollment. And it makes sense: six-figure salaries without student loans, the freedom to work for yourself, and hands-on, real-world skills that can't be outsourced to a chatbot. But new research suggests that the reality isn't as stable—or as future-proof—as it's being pitched. According to a new WalletHub study ranking the best and worst entry-level U.S. jobs in 2025, trade roles dominate the bottom of the list. Welders, automotive mechanics, boilermakers, and drafters all rank among the least promising career starters. Worse still, jobs like building inspectors, electricians, and plumbers are tied to the highest unemployment rate in the entire study at 7.2%—more than three times that of entry-level office jobs like budget analysts or financial analysts, which sit closer to 2.0%. Welder Computer Numeric Control Machine Programmer Mechanical Drafter Automotive Mechanic Boilermaker Emergency Dispatcher Architectural Drafter Telecommunications Technician Benefits Administrator Tool and Die Maker According to the researchers, these roles scored poorly due to limited job availability and weak growth potential, as well as their potentially hazardous nature. Plus, while you'd assume the physical nature of trade work makes them immune to automation, WalletHub's analyst Chip Lupo tells Fortune that the data shows they're also vulnerable. 'New technologies like prefabrication and robotics are starting to take over parts of the workload, which can reduce demand,' Lupo explained. Just like office workers who are experiencing mass layoffs and are at the mercy of recessions, rate hikes, and demand, so too are tradies. 'Trade jobs are closely tied to industries like construction and manufacturing, which means they are sensitive to changes in the economy. When these industries slow down, projects often get delayed or canceled, which can lead to job losses,' Lupo added. 'On top of that, some trade jobs are seasonal, which means that bad weather or off-peak months can dry up construction and maintenance work for several weeks.' But there is one trade job that stands out for its stability amid the chaos: Geotechnical engineers, mine engineers and drilling engineers have the longest median tenure with their employers—2.1 times higher than that of industrial designers, interior designers, PR specialists, technical writers, and web writers, which rank among the shortest. Of course, not everyone is becoming a tradie for the money. Gen Zers previously told Fortune that a key element is having the freedom to be their own boss and not be chained to a desk. But in reality, it might not actually make them happier than a nine-to-five office job. That's because those freedoms come at a cost: long hours and manual work. Another study ranked electricians as the least happy workers of all. According to the research, the physically demanding nature of the job and 40-plus hour workweeks weren't made up for by the just 'decent' salary. Construction workers, warehouse managers, and construction project managers also made the list of unhappiest jobs for having 'unpredictable hours,' topped with their roles being stressful and taxing. Alarmingly, not a single trade job made the list of happiest jobs. Have you gone down the traditional trade jobs route and now regret it? Fortune wants to hear from you. Get in touch: This story was originally featured on
WIRED
02-07-2025
- Business
- WIRED
Business Class Ain't What It Used to Be. Don't Tell First Class
Jul 2, 2025 9:00 AM Once a slightly fancy middle ground between first class and coach, business-class seats are getting serious upgrades. Caviar, anyone? Five years ago, Covid-19 largely brought business travel to a halt. Now companies are getting their employees back in the air, and carriers are reinventing themselves to appeal to post-pandemic fliers willing to pay more. Airlines worldwide are reconfiguring the real estate on their planes by segmenting their cabins into higher-margin business-class seating. They're beefing up their traditional business cabins to snag higher fares while providing more luxurious premium economy seating for travelers with smaller budgets. In May, United Airlines revealed new United Polaris Studio business class suites that come with Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, privacy doors, and 27-inch seat-back screens—the largest among US carriers. The upgraded accommodations are 25 percent larger than United's traditional business-class seats and feature living room–style touches, including quartzite tables and seat-belted ottomans for companions. Business class has historically served as the middle ground between economy and first class, with more legroom and better meals minus the hefty cost. In the late 1990s, British Airways set the standard for long-haul business travel with the introduction of lie-flat seats, spurring rivals to ratchet up their own luxury offerings. Now, several years out from the Covid-19 pandemic, airlines are ready to reveal their reimagined cabins and deliver a pinnacle experience to business travelers willing to splurge. The competition has escalated in an industry-wide rollout of privacy pods and sliding-door suites like those found in Qatar Airways' QSuites, JetBlue's Mint cabin, and Cathay Pacific's Aria Suites. When the latter launched on Cathay's Vancouver-Hong Kong route earlier this year, they featured 24-inch 4K ultra high-definition screens and fully enclosed private spaces, as well as touchless flush toilets with foot-activated waste bins and infrared-activated faucets. Those airlines aren't the only ones overhauling their in-flight experience. Carriers worldwide are investing heavily in their most profitable cabins as they redefine premium travel on the long-haul routes dominated by business travelers with memory foam mattresses and double beds for couples. But even as they bolster their business-class seating, airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, FinnAir, and Air France are revamping their premium economy cabins, too. The perks cater to a wider array of business travel budgets with larger, 4K seat-back screens, high-speed Wi-Fi, and other upmarket experiences. 'We want to win on sleep,' says Nikhil Ravishankar, chief digital officer at Air New Zealand, which is in the process of launching new Business Premier and Premium Economy cabins. 'If you can win on sleep, you're forced to win on everything else.' Air New Zealand's long-haul Business Premier fare features a lie-flat bed complete with a mattress, pillows, and duvet. Next year the airline plans to launch an industry-first for economy and premium economy passengers: 'Skynest' bunk beds bookable in four-hour slots. They'll be competing with Delta Air Lines, the largest US carrier by revenue, which provides some of the industry's plushest business-class seating. Its Delta One suites come with a Missoni-branded duvet and slippers, a mattress pad that doubles as a lumbar pillow, and a memory foam cuddle pillow. Delta One passengers also have access to the airline's ultra-exclusive, marble-clad Delta One lounges in New York and Los Angeles airports. With shower suites befitting a luxury hotel, spa treatments and massages, and full-service bistro dining, the lounge's amenities are designed especially to appeal to same-day round-trip business travelers seeking five-star comfort as they fly cross-country to attend a client dinner in Beverly Hills or sporting events like last year's World Series at Dodger Stadium. Delta is growing its footprint with Delta One lounges in Boston and Seattle. While Delta has long courted affluent customers, American Airlines and United have typically competed on price. But all three are beginning to home in on the same lucrative fare class. In June, American Airlines debuted its swanky, sliding-door Flagship Suite aboard the airline's new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The Flagship Suite includes 51 seats with privacy doors, a dual-sided pillow that uses cool touch fabric and a chaise lounge. American expects to grow its lie-flat and premium economy seating by 50 percent by the end of the decade. United will enter the fray early next year when the Polaris Studio suites debut on certain international routes from San Francisco, with Saks Fifth Avenue bedding and a double-bed configuration. Altogether, United's new Boeing 787-9s will feature 99 premium seats—the highest percentage among US carriers. Airlines are also spending millions of dollars to revamp their culinary offerings through partnerships with celebrity chefs, bars stocked with top-shelf liquor, restaurant-quality meals, or inventive cultural dishes. United has invested more than $150 million in food and beverage improvements this year, including Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé for Polaris Studio customers. Turkish Airlines looked beyond the typical playbook by teaming up with Chef Ömür Akkor, a culinary archaeologist with a Michelin-starred restaurant in Istanbul, to revive a 12,000-year-old bread recipe. The joint excavation traced the world's first domesticated grain of wheat to Tas Tepeler, a settlement in southeastern Turkey. Akkor used the findings to reconstruct the first recipe for the early bread, which he described as an 'earthy flavor profile that provides a glimpse into the birthplace of civilization.' The bread, served hot with butter and olive oil in a commemorative muslin bag, is a perk exclusive to Turkish Airlines business-class passengers traveling certain international routes. Even with the pricey perks, airlines expect to reap significant profits, and business travelers are happy to pay. The element of 'surprise and delight' has raised the bar for getting from points A to B. Whether munching on Turkish Airlines' centuries-old bread, enjoying a full night's sleep over the ocean on Cathay Pacific's lie-flat beds, or grabbing a massage and a three-course dinner from the Danny Meyer-inspired Brasserie at John F. Kennedy International Airport's Delta One lounge, flying's gotten an upgrade.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Scouted: Why Everyone You Know Is Joining the Cult of Labubu
Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. It's the era of Labubu, people, whether you like it or not. No, I'm not talking about Louboutins, but depending on the drop, they might set you back just as much. These fanged, furry little monsters with their mischievous grins and spiky smiles are popping up everywhere: hanging off of luxury handbags, starring in unboxing hauls, and selling out within minutes of new drops. What started as a niche designer toy has officially crossed over into a full-blown fashion phenomenon. Right now, Labubu isn't just a cute plush—it's the must-have accessory. But how did this weird little monster go from art toy collectible to status symbol? Like many viral crazes, it's a perfect storm of internet hype, limited drops, and post-pandemic comfort consumption. While many people simply attach them to their bags or backpacks, part of the appeal lies in the ability to customize them with miniature outfits and accessories. Blackpink's Lisa is credited with helping popularize the toy and is loud and proud about her obsession (she even decorated her Christmas tree with Labubus). Celebrities like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Hilary Duff, and Emma Roberts have all been spotted with Labubus. The dolls were even dripping in diamonds at the launch for the Kathy Hilton x Anna Zuckerman jewelry collection. If you manage to get your hands on one, it's a serious flex. I first learned about Labubus sometime last year when a friend texted me about his plans to offload show tickets onto a 'Labubu-having Zoomer' (derogatory). 'What is THAT?' I asked. After he sent a screenshot of the ugly-cute creature, I realized I had a vague awareness of these little plush toys hanging off the sides of bags, but had never paid them much attention. (I even admitted that I thought they were just cheap little toys from the dollar store.) Little did I know they were on the verge of becoming a full-blown fashion phenomenon. Labubu comes from The Monsters, a children's book series by artist Kasing Lung, who was born in Hong Kong and raised in the Netherlands. The characters, including Labubu (who is a girl), are inspired by the Nordic folklore and myths that influenced Lung during his childhood. In 2019, Lung partnered with the Chinese toy giant Pop Mart to turn Labubu into a figurine, where it became a niche obsession for hardcore collectors. Over the years, its popularity exploded, and in 2024, Pop Mart's revenue reached $1.81 billion, doubling its earnings from the previous year. Each time Pop Mart releases a new Labubu, it sells out within minutes online, while fans queue for hours at brick-and-mortar stores across the globe. A single Labubu sells for $27.99 while an entire set of six costs $167.94. However, like many other viral items these days, you'll find resellers flipping them for more than 20 times the original price on eBay or StockX. As one would expect, there are tons of fakes ('lafufus') both online and in mall kiosks. This month, a rare, life-size Labubu sold for over $170,000 at auction. I'm old enough to remember the frenzy over Beanie Babies, Tickle Me Elmo, Furby, and Cabbage Patch Kids—the kinds of toys that sparked mall riots and toddler tantrums long before TikTok and Instagram existed. Labubu feels like the natural successor to that legacy, although it operates in a different space, as it's driven by the blind box model and fueled by social media virality, similar to Sonny Angel and Mini Brands. Labubu's keychain format has also played a major role in its rise, arriving during the height of the bag charm craze, when people began decorating their handbags in the spirit of Jane Birkin. From DIY bag chains to Coach's viral cherry charm to miniature versions of Prada's iconic nylon backpack, this wave of 'Birkin-ifying' accessories created the perfect cultural moment for Labubu to thrive. It's also part of a broader trend where collectibles like these are doubling as personal style statements. While writing this piece, I began to understand the hype surrounding it. (I may have even enlisted a Labubu-obsessed family member to use her connections to track one down for me.) Like every viral obsession before it, Labubu's reign will probably fade eventually. But in this particular moment, when we are all desperately trying to find both small doses of joy and creative ways to express ourselves, she taps into something oddly of-the-moment, and something a little sweet, too. Let this weird, adorable little creature have her time in the sun. While Labubu dolls are primarily sold on Pop Mart, given their swift rise to fame, they're hard to find right now. Fortunately, we've spotted authentic Labubu dolls (along with lots of Labubu-inspired options) on Stockx, Etsy, eBay, and even Amazon.
Fast Company
03-06-2025
- Health
- Fast Company
The 5 most comfortable heels to wear this summer
Antonia Saint Dunbar, cofounder of the period underwear brand Thinx, loves the way she feels when she's wearing heels. 'It has a divine geometry,' she says. 'It creates a perfect pitch for your body, elongating your leg, creating an anatomical architectural balance.' Saint Dunbar isn't alone: Even as society has become more casual, making sneakers and Birkenstocks acceptable to wear in more situations, many women still love the way they look and feel while wearing heels. But sometimes this means compromising comfort for style. While running Thinx in heels, Saint Dunbar says she often had to scan the room for a place to sit because her feet hurt so much, and took cabs so she wouldn't have to walk. Part of the reason that heels are so uncomfortable is that many early shoe designers were men. They designed heels they believed would make women look attractive, but had no idea how the shoes would feel on the wearers' feet. Today, women aren't willing to compromise on comfort. This is particularly true after the pandemic, Saint Dunbar says. Stuck at home, women stopped wearing heels and turned to more comfortable footwear. Now painful heels feel even more unacceptable. The good news is that there's a new generation of shoe brands focused on designs that make them more comfortable, including Sneex, Nomasei, and Marion Parke. Saint Dunbar herself is among these founders. In 2016, while still running Thinx, she launched Antonia Saint NY, which creates more comfortable heels. She's taken the silhouette of a classic stiletto and added a layer of padding inside to provide better arch support and toe cushioning. She's just relaunched all of her shoes with a slimmer version of the padding to offer the same level of comfort with less bulk. As we head into summer, we've been testing out the most comfortable shoes for everything from weddings to company outings. Here are five we love. Antonia Saint NY This shoe has a 2-inch heel that gives you just enough lift. It's outfitted with an updated padding system called SoftSurround. There is a layer of cushioning within the entire upper, with a special focus on the toes and the back of the heels. There is also a rubberized outsole for better traction. The outer is made of a soft Nappa leather. It's designed to help you get through a full day without any pain. Sézane Gloria Sandals, $215 These strappy sandals offer the vintage aesthetic that Sézane is known for, featuring an elegant circle design. They're versatile, since they can be dressed up or down, looking just as nice with jeans as with more formal summer dresses. With a 2.75-inch heel, they offer height without leaving you with achey legs or calves. Margaux City Sandal, $375 As their name implies, these shoes are designed for pounding the pavement. They feature a 2.5-inch block heel that is very walkable, and crisscross straps that are placed to make your feet feel supported. The insole features foam padding for cushioning. They come in a wide range of colors to match your outfits. Nomasei Baghera, $450 Founded by former shoe designers at Chloe, Nomasei wants to bring comfort to the luxury shoe experience. The brand's Baghera sandals are meant to provide all the leg-lengthening effects of a high heel, but in a much more comfortable silhouette. They feature a 2.3-inch wide block heel, with an insole made of memory foam, lining made of goat leather, and an outsole made of calf leather. Rothy's Knot Sandal, $189 If you're concerned about the environment, Rothy's is a good option. The brand was first known for its flats, but it has expanded into new silhouettes, including heels. These sandals are made of eight ocean-bound plastic bottles that have been recycled into a knot material. With a 2-inch block heel and a plush footbed, they're designed to be worn all day. And as a bonus, they're machine washable, which extends their life.
Tahawul Tech
15-05-2025
- Health
- Tahawul Tech
Bernard Montel Archives
Bernard Montel, EMEA Technical director and Cybersecurity Strategist at Tenable, throws light on the different types of cybersecurity threats faced by organisations post pandemic and the reason it has affected healthcare the most.
