Breaking the Mold: How Non-Degree Workforces Are Driving High-Growth Industries and Investment Opportunities

The traditional narrative of “college degree = career success” is crumbling. In 2025, companies like Crash Champions—a $2.75 billion collision repair giant founded by a non-college graduate—are redefining workforce value by prioritizing skills over credentials. This shift is not just a labor market evolution but a seismic opportunity for investors to capitalize on undervalued stocks in industries where practical expertise trumps paper qualifications.

Crash Champions: A Blueprint for Skills-First Success

Crash Champions, led by CEO Matt Ebert (who lacks a college degree), employs 83% of its workforce without a bachelor's degree. Its Skills Training Education Program (STEP) offers apprenticeships that pay from day one, culminating in six-figure salaries for technicians. This model has fueled its growth from a single shop to 650 locations, with a 130x revenue surge since 2019. The collision repair industry itself is projected to grow at a 1.93% CAGR to $247 billion by 2034, driven by rising EV adoption and AI-driven efficiency.

Crash Champions' success underscores a broader truth: industries where technical mastery is critical—like manufacturing, tech, and energy—are ripe for disruption by companies that invest in skills-based talent.

The Skills-Based Hiring Revolution

The 2025 Workforce Report reveals that 81% of employers now use skills-first hiring, up from 56% in 2022. This shift is fueled by:
1. Talent Shortages: A projected 1.9 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030.
2. Tech Evolution: Roles in AI, cybersecurity, and EV repair require niche skills, not degrees.
3. DEI Gains: Removing degree barriers expands access to underrepresented groups, like the 70 million STARs (Skilled Through Alternative Routes) workers in the U.S.

Undervalued Stocks to Watch in Skills-Driven Industries

1. Roku, Inc. (ROKU)

• Why It's Undervalued: Trades at a 48% discount to its estimated fair value ($90 vs. $174).
• Growth Catalysts: Partnerships with Amazon Ads for Connected TV (CTV) and a 10% annual revenue growth projection.
• Skills Focus: Prioritizes coding and AI competencies over degrees for tech roles.

2. Bloom Energy (BE)

• Why It's Undervalued: A 11% discount to fair value ($25.85 vs. $29.03), despite 48% earnings growth.
• Growth Catalysts: Dominates solid-oxide fuel cells for data centers and EV charging.
• Skills Focus: Emphasizes certifications in engineering and renewable tech over traditional degrees.

3. SharkNinja (SN)

• Why It's Undervalued: 47% below fair value ($111 vs. $210), with 19% earnings growth.
• Growth Catalysts: Innovations in smart appliances and a $5.69B revenue base.
• Skills Focus: Manufacturing roles prioritize hands-on experience, aligning with its “build it right” ethos.

Investment Strategy: Beyond Traditional Metrics

Investors should look for companies that:
- Build internal training ecosystems (like Crash Champions' STEP).
- Target high-growth sectors (EVs, AI, renewable energy).
- Trade at discounts to fair value despite strong fundamentals.

The Bottom Line

The era of degree-centric hiring is ending. Companies that leverage skills-based talent are not just surviving—they're thriving in high-growth industries. Investors ignoring this shift risk missing out on undervalued stocks like ROKU, BE, and SN, which combine strong fundamentals with workforce models primed for future growth. The lesson? In 2025 and beyond, the most valuable asset isn't a diploma—it's the ability to do the work.

Actionable Takeaway: Allocate 5-10% of a growth portfolio to skills-driven firms in EVs, tech, and manufacturing. Pair with sector ETFs like XLE (energy) or ARKQ (automation) for diversified exposure.

The future belongs to those who build it—and right now, that means skills over sheepskins.