Some good news for institutional and commercial facilities looking for the next generation of technicians to fill positions: parents realize the value in trade careers and their children are heeding their advice.
Wakefield Research revealed that 89 percent of parents with children in high school or college think it’s smart for students to consider careers in the trades. Looking further into the numbers, the research showed that 47 percent of parents say their children have mentioned wanting to go into the trades.
Hoping to build on the momentum, skilled trade unions are joining to celebrate the first National Trades Week, April 7-11. The trade unions organizing the event include the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) and the International Training Institute (ITI).
Activities throughout the week will increase awareness about skilled trades careers and the value those careers bring to the country.
An occupational outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts about 663,000 construction job openings each year with a median annual wage of $55,000 in 2023. In the sheet metal industry, for example, new workers can earn salaries up to $87,000 in their first year after serving an apprenticeship and move to $120,000 to $200,000 in wages and benefits with four to five years of experience.
A study from Thumbtack, a service app, indicates that a whopping 9 of 10 Generation Z graduates believe a skilled trades career can offer more reliable path in economic security than college. The study also revealed that interest in trades is nearly equal among men and women.
Examples of trades careers include sheet metal workers, HVAC technicians, electricians, pipefitters, welders, plumbers, masons and carpenters.
Dave Lubach is the executive editor of the facility market.
