Should Millennials Consider Skilled Trade Careers?
Posted by Variety Staffing
As the economy continues to show signs of progress, there are absolute differences between millennials with a high school diploma and those with four-year degrees. However, economists say that not everyone has to have a four-year degree to land a lucrative career. Millions of jobs are opening up in the skilled trades. Because of this, more young people are discovering that there is nothing wrong with a blue-collar job.
Let’s look at a few reasons why more millennials should consider skilled trade careers.
Competitive Pay
Many graduates believe that obtaining a four-year degree is the only vocational option after high school. But this is not true. High school graduates can go into their desired field of work and start learning on-the-job skills. With millions of jobs in the skilled trades, many of them pay more than a college graduate’s average salary. In 2016, the average pay for an electrician was $52,720.
Growth and Opportunities
Skilled trade careers are vital to the American economy. With a boom in the construction industry, advances in alternative power sources and a significant number of baby boomers retiring, new jobs are opening up. Electricians alone are expected to grow by 14% by 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Millennials that receive training and certification will have consistent opportunities.
Affordable Education
The average cost for a public college education is $24,610, and for a private school, $49,320. The cost of training for a skilled trade varies based on the path and school that is chosen. Nonetheless, it is guaranteed to be a fraction of the cost of a four-year education. Some two-year technical certification programs cost just $1,000 a year. Additionally, many apprenticeship programs will pay for training.
Job Security
The need for skilled trade workers will never cease. Other jobs change and can even become obsolete, but the skilled trades never will. There will always be a need for electricians, forklift drivers and construction workers. Already, there is a demand in the skilled trade industry and this is only expected to increase as more baby boomers retire. Some niches such as photovoltaic installations or system repairs in the electricity field have even greater stability.
Should millennials consider skilled trade careers? Absolutely. With an affordable education, a wide range of job opportunities and pay that often outweighs what a four-year college graduate makes, there is no reason not to consider a mentally and physically rewarding career in the skilled trades.