There Is A Better Way For Many
There are good-paying jobs out there that are often overlooked and undervalued. Indeed, there is even somewhat of a stigma attached to them because they don't require a four-year degree.
I'm talking about the skilled trades, particularly those in the construction and industrial sectors.
The essential role of the skilled trades industry in sustaining and enhancing our everyday lives cannot be overstated. Whether it's the construction of buildings or the repair of critical infrastructure, tradespeople play a crucial role in ensuring the functionality and safety of our communities.
Serving as the backbone of our society, they contribute directly to its progress and advancement. The absence of skilled trades would present considerable challenges across various sectors, including housing, transportation, and manufacturing.
Whether it’s carpentry, electrical, plumbing, or any other skill, the trades are in high demand, as the U.S. faces a critical shortage of workers who can build, fix, and maintain things.
“The construction industry is missing about 650,000 workers, and the backlog of projects is the highest it’s been in four years,” Maria Davidson, CEO and founder of Kojo, a platform that helps manage materials, told CNBC.
According to ZipRecruiter, the number of people applying for construction jobs online dropped by about 40 percent from 2019 to 2020, and hasn’t recovered since, NPR reported.
And the situation is not likely to improve anytime soon. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that more than 40 percent of workers in this sector are over 45 years old. With almost half of them nearing retirement, the industry needs a fresh influx of talent.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment growth for construction and extraction occupations is projected to be 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is about on par with the average projected growth for all U.S. jobs.
As technology develops in areas like solar and electric vehicles and other specialized sectors, opportunities to work on these cutting-edge technologies will only grow.
Why aren't young people interested in the trades?
One big reason is the stigma that surrounds them. Many Americans believe that the only way to succeed is to get a college degree. This has led to a neglect of vocational education and a disrespect for manual labor.
The stigma attached to skilled trade jobs is deeply entrenched in society. Often, those who are interested in the skilled trades are viewed as inferior students.
A survey of more than 400 Toronto-area construction workers revealed that “96 percent felt that stigma and negative parental influences are causing a shortage of workers. Many perceived a bias among the public against jobs that are seen as physically challenging or involve working with your hands."
Thumbtack, an online marketplace that connects customers with local pros for various home services, did a survey that shows how deep this bias runs. For 32 percent of young adults, their high school didn’t even offer shop class. (I will notice that on a site selection project.)
And 59 percent of skilled tradespeople felt pressured to go to a four-year college, by their family or society, while 89 percent of the survey respondents think that kids are wrongly taught that getting a bachelor’s or master’s degree is the only way to make it.
But Americans are missing out on a great opportunity if they ignore the trades. These jobs are not only in demand, but also well-paid, well-benefited, and well-respected.
Skilled trade workers also enjoy their work and would do it again (87 percent), according to Thumbtack. And 94 percent of them would recommend their career to their kids or relatives.
“Now is the best time to join the trades, and Gen-Z is the perfect generation for it, as they are shaped by the pandemic and the gig economy. They value flexibility and independence, which the trades offer,” Marco Zappacosta, CEO and co-founder of Thumbtack, told Forbes.
“With a lower barrier to entry than before and a huge demand for workers, the trades are a career that will last.”
The trades also offer a more flexible schedule, a faster and cheaper education, a quicker start in the workforce, and the chance to be your own boss. And there is one more reason to join them.
“They’re making more money,” said Brian Turmail, vice president of public affairs and strategic initiatives at Associated General Contractors of America. “The construction industry is paying 80 percent more than the average non-farm job in the U.S.”
Here are some of the highest-paying industrial skilled trade jobs listed on Indeed.com, along with their national average salary and projected job growth rate from 2022 to 2032:
Construction manager: $88,319 per year, 5 percent growth rate.
Aircraft mechanic: $82,476 per year, 4 percent growth rate.
Cable technician: $70,714 per year, 6 percent growth rate.
Industrial mechanic: $69,637 per year, 13 percent growth rate.
Solar installer: $69,422 per year, 22 percent growth rate.
Electrician: $62,739 per year, 6 percent growth rate.
Wind turbine technician: $58,005 per year, 45 percent growth rate.
A Practical Approach to Education
Bachelor’s degrees can be expensive; the National Center for Education Statistics reported that tuition and fees at public, four-year schools averaged about $9,400 in the 2020-21 academic year, totaling $37,600 for a full degree.
In contrast, a vocational education derived from a community college or tech school -- typically costs as little as $5,000 per year, and degrees often take less than two years to complete.
The Importance of Trade Skills Training to Site Selection
On any given site selection project, if my client company is a manufacturer, I will look for the presence of community colleges/tech schools in any given location and I will examine the curriculums.
The reason should be obvious -- vocational education plays a crucial role in preparing individuals for careers in the industrial trades. The relationship between vocational education and industrial trades is symbiotic, as vo-tech programs are designed to provide practical skills and knowledge needed for specific trades and industries.
I specifically want to see a community college that can tailor its curriculum to match the requirements of existing and prospective manufacturers. I often hear that they can do it, but I seldom see it done especially well.
What can truly set a community apart is having a partnership with industry in place. If I see that, with accompanying recognized industry certifications and credentials being offered, then I can advise my client that this particular community is in a better position to meet the company's talent needs.
Conversely, when I do economic development consulting for communities -- when economic development organizations are my clients -- I advise them to create pathways for people to enter and excel in the industrial trades.
The hands-on training, industry-relevant curriculum, and partnerships with the industrial sector are essential for addressing the workforce needs of your existing industry. Do that, and you are in the ball game toward winning future corporate investment.
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