When you imagine a career in skilled trades, the image of a brawny man in filthy work boots may come to mind. But this lingering stereotype is far from being true. Women cemented their place in the U.S’s skilled labour during World War II, filling positions they were often prohibited from while the men went off to fight. Today, with gender roles shifting and trade industry opportunities for women increasing, we are seeing more and more women procuring careers in skilled trades.
Young Women Showing Increased Interest In The Trade Jobs
A National Kitchen & Bath Association employment survey of high school students revealed interest levels in skilled trades are nearly as high among females as males. Interest in refurbishing and renovation ranked highest for women with high school class/training programs, greatly derived from social media and working on home improvement and restoration projects.
While learning a new talent and a good wage were some of the perceived advantages of the trade industry, the research also indicated demanding physical work and scepticism about incomes were some of the drawbacks.
What is Behind the Shift?
Over the past years, there has been an evolving scarcity of skilled trades workers in certain areas. The American Welding Society expects a need for 405,000 more welders by the year 2024. In HVAC and electric, job vacancies are expected to grow by 15 per cent through 2024. Since women make up less than 15 percent of skilled trade jobs in the country, according to Career School Now, various traders are looking at females to fill some of these roles.
There Are Challenges, Too
Unfortunately, women still confront a variety of challenges and obstacles in male-dominated commerce, comprising stereotypes, lack of mentoring and sexual harassment. While ladies account for nearly half of all workers within several industry sectors in the United States, they are still substantially underrepresented in jobs like construction and manufacturing.
As more and more females fill some of these jobs, the need for fair presentation increases. Several support networks like Professional Women in Construction goal to assist women in these fields and facilitate workplace diversity.
The Benefits Of Pursuing Skilled Trade Jobs
Have the opportunity to earn a good salary
Most trades workers begin at a higher than average salary and if you determine to set up your own business later on in your career, you can foresee earning an above-average salary.
Many skilled trades offer great career progression
Once you have experience in a particular trade, your skills will be highly strived after, which will make it simple to improve to higher roles. Ultimately, you will even be able to manage your team and could even get ready for your own business if you have an entrepreneurial spark in you.
There is an increased demand for skilled trade workers
Trade workers have skills that will invariably be in demand since they are practising skills that no computer can displace. This indicates that once you have got some experience in your chosen trade, you will be able to find permanent employment throughout your career.
A degree is not always required
Because of graduate student unemployment and student debt, going to university is not an appealing option to several people and a lot of school leavers are looking to switch paths. Many skilled trades don’t require a degree. You can often learn the abilities you need through an internship.
You will get to complete interesting work
Learning a job allows you to pursue a job in a line of work that you are personally interested in. A skilled trade includes practical work.
Every day is different
What makes functioning in a trade exciting to most people is the variation of the work. Each day, you will be working on a new project, meeting new customers and learning new things. It is perfect for anyone.
Work in a sociable atmosphere
Working in a trade, you will get to meet a wide range of clients and share your creativity and mastery with many different people. You will also be labouring alongside other like-minded people, multiple of which will become companions for life.
How Women Can Get Started
With all the diverse trades out there, figuring out which one is right for you is the main step in a career in the industry. Job assessments can help you hone in on what might fit you best. Be confident to study career fairs in your region that focus on the trade industry.
If you have an idea of what you would like to do, seek out internships or assistant positions in your business of choice. Some places require on-the-job training and classroom education to attain specific licenses or certifications. Many community universities also offer trade certificates and pathways to internships that help you with learning trades in a professional manner. Check out which vocational schools are reliable, and which ones propose good training and job placement policies.
‘Graduate high school. Attend a 4-year college. Get a well-paying job instantly in a career you enjoy.’ This is the most popular advice given to young people, but it is not the only possibility. While college is a practical next step for some, others may not like to take on an average of $30,731 in student loans – particularly for a career they are not passionate about. And some college graduates join the workforce only to discover that the career they chose does not provide the salary or job happiness they thought it would. But skilled trades enable you to learn as you earn, building a strong career through hands-on experience while earning in the skilled trades jobs.
How Skilled Trade Jobs Can Be Your Great Career Option
If you are on the fence about whether a trade is good for you, here are 5 reasons construction and industrial trades are impressive career choices.
1. The Trade Jobs Are Almost Always Plentiful
In recent years, demand for tradespeople has continued steadily. But Robert Dietz, PhD and leading economist for the National Home Builders Association, notified Working Nation that though job vacancies in construction were increased in 2019 than before the Great Recession, there are not sufficient professionals to fill them.
Part of the dilemma is the ageing workforce. As older tradespeople retire, the sum of young people entering the workforce is not replacing them fast enough. Many United States high schools have cut shop classes and training programs while disproportionately emphasising college as the next effort for students.
Though the covid-19 outbreak led to the loss of jobs across businesses, we will see demand for trade jobs improve as the housing market proceeds with a trend upward and construction sites open back up across the nation.
2. Most Skilled Labour Careers Have Tremendous Job Security
Even in times of financial downturns, the trades prove to be a resilient career option. Though new construction and remodelling employment may be put on hold, tradespeople who conserve existing buildings – like plumbers, electricians and masons – may uncover their work to be safer during a recession.
3. You Can Receive Over $50,000 Each Year – And Even More While Learning Trades
How much you earn in your job depends on which authorized trade you choose, how much practice you receive, how long you are in the field and more. But the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2019 report revealed that the average salary for construction and extraction occupations was $50,580, and the top 78% of skilled labourer jobs made $60,940.
The same report found that the:
The average electrician’s salary is $63,370 annually.
The average earnings for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are $60,000 annually.
The average carpenter’s salary is $50,820 per year.
4. You Can Make Money As A Trading Intern While Gaining Hands-on Experience
For most employment in the industrial or construction business, you can learn by becoming an apprentice – either through a conventional skilled labour internship program or through an employer who is glad to train you.
As an intern, you will gain on-the-job trade experience while earning a salary. And as your abilities improve, you can make more wealth, even as an intern. While traditional apprenticeships are often unpaid or only offer a small salary, trade programs like plumbing internships are designed to deliver comfortable earnings while you learn.
Journeyman License
After clearing required exams or certifications for your trade, you may work as a journeyman – someone who can work under their journeyman license rather than the employer’s licence. Finally, you can apply to evolve into a master of your trade, which can help you begin your own business if that is something you want to do.
Though you will possibly need to complete some classroom work as you evolve through your career in skilled trades, you will have the benefit of gaining experience and making wealth along the way.
5. Trade school can be more adequate than college from a time & money standpoint.
Not anyone can join trade and attend a technological school or city college but executing so can give you a boost in the skilled labour job market. After clearing high school, you can apply for a traditional vocational program at a trade school in the specialisation that you like.
Trade school is more adequate than college for some because it usually only takes anywhere from several months to 2 years. As college student loans can leave pupils low on money after graduating, a vocational school can give you the expertise you need and get into the employment field more rapidly with less debt.
Taking the Next Step
If these explanations sound appealing to you, the next step is research. You will want to decide what you want your job to look like, do some research and form a plan. Connect with specialists already in the business and talk to them about their business paths. Then, use all that you have found to charge forward with your current vocation.
