There are a lot of myths about skilled trade jobs. People believe that you don’t need any education to do them, that they’re all physical, or that you don’t make a lot of money. Like most myths, these aren’t based on facts.
In reality, the skilled trades are worthwhile professions that unfortunately suffer from a bad image. With that in mind, let’s disprove those myths so we can get into the perks of pursuing a skilled profession.
Addressing The Rumors: What You Need To Know About Trade Jobs
Many skilled trade professions require continuing your education at a community college or trade school, in addition to needing hands-on experience.
A certified welder, for example, usually attends post-secondary welding training for anywhere from seven months to two years. After that, they have several months of on-the-job training before they’re officially a professional welder.
Another good example of a trade job that defies the myths is a contractor.
While there’s no set educational requirement to become a contractor, you’re required to pass the contractor’s exam in many states, like Tennessee. Without a license, you won’t be able to take on most contracting jobs, so it’s a step you need to take to pursue this career professionally.
To prepare for the exam, you can enroll in a prep course that covers all of the basic material needed to get a contractor’s license.
These examples disprove two of the three myths. You do need some form of education, and you can make a lot of money. Contractors typically make just south of $60,000 a year, and welders made the list for highest paying trade jobs of 2020, but it also comes with risks, Being that the construction industry is one of the most dangerous jobs, safety and job hazard analysis is a major part of the compensation as well.
Carpenters also made that list, proving that trade jobs in the construction field certainly don’t suffer from a lack of pay.
As for the third myth, it’s worth noting that jobs like web design also fall in the skilled trades category. That proves that physical labor isn’t the only important skill in the trades. You certainly can’t design a website using physical strength.
Now that you know a little more about the truth of the trades, let’s discuss the practical perks of pursuing a skilled profession.
The Practical Perks: Why A Profession In The Skilled Trades Is For You
We’ve already discussed that some skilled professions do require trade school. The good news is, trade school is a lot cheaper than a four-year university.
A bachelor’s degree generally costs about $100,000, while a trade school education comes in closer to $40,000. So you’re looking at a major financial perk.
Another major perk to consider is job security. Many trade jobs, like construction, for example, are incredibly difficult to outtarget. You can’t build a skyscraper and then have it shipped, and if you need a car mechanic, chances are you want them to be close by.
That job security is getting rarer in our increasingly digital culture, so it’s good to find it where you can. Whether you want to start your own construction firm or learn to repair engines, there are job opportunities out there for you.
In fact, there are a lot of jobs out there, which is another perk we need to discuss. In the next few years, an estimated 2.5 million trade jobs are expected to be empty. This is because the generation that’s retiring has a much different skill set than the ones taking over.
That difference in skillset can be attributed in part to the push for everyone to go to college. While going to college certainly isn’t a bad thing, it isn’t for everyone.
Some students currently being pushed to get a degree might benefit instead from training for one of the trade jobs that’s about to become available. Especially considering that job growth in the coming years is expected to be made up of 40% trade jobs that require some training, but no degree.
While these aren’t the only perks to pursuing a skilled profession, they are some of the big ones you should consider when deciding if a trade job is right for you.
Focus On The Future: What’s Coming For The Trades
We’ve already discussed that nearly 3 million trade jobs are expected to be empty by 2028, but what else does the future hold for the trades?
Due to the lack of qualified individuals stepping up in these fields, it’s expected to become harder to find electricians, construction workers, and mechanics. As well as other skilled workers. That could spell disaster, or at least very long wait times, for anyone needing those services.
A shortage of workers indicates that the trades will continue to be in great demand, which could also indicate a pay raise in the future.
The shortage, and the demand it causes, is good news for you if you’re going into the trades. You’ll have a much shorter job search than your peers going into medical or tech fields, and it’s highly possible you’ll be looking at a better salary.
These industries have been around for a long time, and they’ll continue to thrive in the future.
If these practical perks have caught your attention, consider a career as a skilled professional in the trades. The future is looking for you.