Careers and Majors > The Trades

Careers in the Trades

By Don Rauf

You don’t have to go to a four-year college to pursue a lucrative, rewarding career. Industries that hire skilled tradespeople are searching for young go-getters to become electricians, plumbers, auto technicians, and more.

Do you enjoy hands-on work?
Not sure if a four-year college is right for you? Consider a career in the trades!

According to a recent report from the National Foundation for American Policy, U.S. businesses have been struggling to fill positions for all types of skilled labor, especially in the area of information technology. The American Electronics Association also reported an acute demand for labor.

While employment rates depend on the health of the overall economy, some labor economists are predicting a national labor shortage of skilled workers that could climb as high as 14 million jobs by 2020.

More good news for job hunters: with skilled workers in demand, salaries will likely increase, allowing young workers to earn higher incomes. As an example, Fluor Corporation, a major engineering firm in Texas, recently presented local high school graduates with an amazing career opportunity: grads willing to undergo on-the-job training at an oil refinery, coal plant, or construction project could eventually expect a job offering an entry-level salary of $60,000 to $75,000.

Earn While You Learn
One popular way to get training in a trade is to complete an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship lets you earn a salary and benefits by working in your chosen field while you attend classes.

Typically, students who take classes earn credits that can be applied toward an associate’s degree from a community or technical college. Apprenticeships usually take between one and four years to complete; upon completion, you’ll receive an apprenticeship certification and recognition as a qualified journeyworker.

A Range of Opportunities
The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows growth for a variety of careers in the trades. Employment opportunities for pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are expected to be very strong, especially for those with welding experience. HVAC specialists (workers who install and repair heating and air-conditioning systems) are also in demand, as are skilled carpenters and sheet metal workers.

Other fields with strong job prospects include automotive service technology, computer installation and repair, aquaculture operations management, commercial photography, commercial
garment and apparel services, conservation and renewable natural resources, commercial fishing, forestry, and machine technology.

If the prospect of skilled, hands-on work appeals to you, a world of opportunity awaits!

Highly Charged Careers
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers currently has about 40,000 apprentices in 290 programs around the country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2014, the need for electrical workers will rise to more than 734,000—78,000 more than are currently employed in this field. An electrician apprentice typically earns about $11 an hour; that figure doubles when the apprentice becomes a journeyworker.

“[The electrician’s training] program allows apprentices to learn the practical skills they need while at the same time providing the opportunity to earn respectable wages and pay for their education,” says Michael Callanan, executive director of the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) for the electrical industry.

“People have a misconception that this is common, dirty work, but there’s a very technical aspect and a pride in the craftsmanship,” says A.J. Pearson, former executive director of NJATC. Visit www.njatc.org for information on more than 50 career choices within the electrical contracting industry, including technical, managerial, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Don Rauf is a contributing editor to Careers And Colleges.

2009