Whether you’re in the midst of selecting a career shortly after finishing high school or reevaluating your options after a tumultuous 2020, here are the top in-demand trades jobs for 2021 and beyond.
2020 has caused many of us to reflect upon our lives and reconsider what we want to do with them. Perhaps you’ve suffered a job loss due to the calamitous effects COVID-19 had on your industry. Or maybe you’ve just discovered that what you’re currently doing doesn’t provide the fulfillment you’re looking for.
While many might think that a new rewarding career requires enrolling in a college or university, a trade school may actually be the better option for you. These institutions provide hands-on training, and the programs can be completed within as little as eight months.
But what trade should you study? Obviously, you want to choose one that has promising future employment prospects. With that in mind, here are the top trades jobs that will be in demand for 2021 and many years after that.
A Golden Opportunity as Baby Boomers Leave the Workforce
It’s already begun, and it’s only expected to pick up pace. We’re talking, of course, about baby boomers leaving the workforce. Many of the people in this generation have devoted their lives to the skilled trades. As a result, there are going to be a lot of openings in the next few years for specific ones.
Some of the skilled trades that baby boomers make up a large portion of the labor pool include:
- Welders
- Electricians
- Machinists
- HVAC
- Plumbers
- Construction workers/laborers
- Heavy equipment mechanics
If you are looking to pivot careers or start your first one, then some of the above trades could be a great choice. Since baby boomers have amassed substantial experience and skills throughout the course of their work lives, the vacancies they are leaving will offer those with the right qualifications a fantastic opportunity for career advancement as well.
Stability Over the Next Decade
If future job security is important to you, then using the outlooks compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics can provide great insight into which careers can be counted on to supply a reliable income for at least the next decade.
There are quite a few skilled trades that are set to remain in high demand over the next 10 years in these outlooks, including:
- Electricians
- Welders
- Plumbers
- Home inspectors
- Aircraft mechanics
- HVAC technicians
- Diesel technicians
- Construction managers
Despite the headwinds the transportation industry — especially air travel — is facing as a result of COVID-19, this sector is poised for a lot of job openings and career opportunities in the future as baby boomers comprise a large section of its workforce. Regardless of that fact, there will always remain the need for skilled tradespeople who can perform work on the machinery and equipment that is the backbone of this industry.
A Career in the Trades Can Be Stable and Lucrative
Attitudes and perceptions surrounding the skilled trades are changing. What was once derided and looked down upon as ‘blue-collar’ work is now more in-demand and well-respected than ever before.
Given the ongoing labor shortage affecting this industry, a career in the trades can provide a stable and lucrative career for those who pursue one. If you are interested in getting into the construction industry or any other industrial one, including oil and gas, we have many job opportunities that can kickstart your career in them. Just contact us today by calling(262) 298-0026or by filling out our online contact form, to find out more about how our direct-to-hire and contract-to-hire services can put you on the path to future success.
FAQs
What is the easiest trade to get into?
The skilled trades are highly reliant on apprenticeships to help get their workers the necessary skills they need. One of the easiest apprenticeships to acquire would be that of an electrician. Since electricians perform numerous functions across multiple industries, it is often thought to be one of the easiest trades to get into.
What is the most difficult trade?
While it might be one of the easier trades to get into, electrical work was found to be the toughest trade to master in a survey conducted by CraftJack. Following that were the trades of carpenters, cabinets/countertops, and HVAC.
Do trades make good money?
Contrary to what many people think, the trades can provide a very nice paycheck and a lucrative career once someone has progressed far enough into one. For most of the highest paying trade jobs, their accompanying salaries come in near or above the $61,937 mark, which is what the median household income in the United States is.
