Throughout your entire high school career, a “bug” has been placed in your ear to “go to college” or to “get an education.” And while college is great for some people, college simply isn’t for everyone… and that’s okay. For lots of people, learning a trade is the better option for them that can be just as lucrative as a career that requires a college degree.
In fact, did you know that only 27% of college graduates have jobs related to their college major? That reason alone is why more than half of the US workforce is unhappy in their careers. In fact, many trade jobs actually make more money than jobs requiring a college degree!
If you’re looking for a career that’s rewarding, then yes, going to college to be a nurse or social worker is the career path for you. But who said that trade jobs aren’t just as rewarding? If you want to break things down, trade jobs require a particular set of skills and talents; Some can be learned and some people just naturally have them, but it’s pretty safe to say that not everyone can take on these jobs… And for those who can, that’s something to be extremely proud of.
Here are some of the biggest reasons you shouldn’t dismiss trade jobs as being a lucrative career option.
Benefits of Trade Jobs
Job Availability
For skilled trade jobs, there is never a shortage of job availability. The Baby Boomer generation was the first to profit from skilled and laborious jobs and made entire careers from them. But they are now starting to retire and companies definitely need talented individuals to replace those skills because people still need those services.
Things like auto repair, plumbing, electrical, and construction are all jobs that provide services that people and businesses rely on every day, but everyone doesn’t have the skills or talents to perform those types of jobs. So if you do, you’ll always have a job.
Just remember that these jobs do require proper licensing for the state you live in. So if you live in South Carolina, you’ll need to get your South Carolina contractor’s license before you can begin taking on any projects in that state.
Career Growth Opportunities
One of the best aspects of trade jobs is the fact that there is always growth opportunities simply because it’s based on your skill levels. You can enter a field as an apprentice, and the more you learn and get better in your field, you can then grow into a master of your trade.
Affordability
Learning a trade is much more affordable than earning a four-year college degree. Depending on the field you study in college, it can cost you upwards of $47,000 or more. Vocational school and training can actually be free because companies sometimes pay for the necessary training and education you’ll need starting out as an apprentice. But even if you do have to come out of pocket for any secondary learning, it will be nowhere near as expensive as it is for a four-year college degree.
Daily Enhancing of Your Skill
Again, more than half of the US workforce are working jobs they didn’t go to school for… But with trade jobs, your job is literally the skill you’re perfecting, and with every job you take on, you’re enhancing your skills and talents. This will not only improve job performance but also increase your productivity, allowing you to take on more jobs in a day.
The above are all wonderful benefits of trade jobs, and those reasons alone are why you shouldn’t dismiss learning a trade as a lucrative career option.
