Last Updated on April 13, 2023 by Akwaowo Akpan
Many people think that getting a college education is essential for a successful profession. University degrees are required for some professions, but they are not necessary to earn a respectable living. We will talk on What trade should I learn
Currently, there is a trade skills deficit in the United States. There has never been a better moment to study a profession because of the tremendous demand for these skills. Without having to spend years in college, learning and practicing a trade is immensely fulfilling.
There are many trade jobs available, so choosing one to concentrate in may be tough for you. You could be prepared to enter the trade sectors, but you might be wondering: What trade should I learn?
Trade jobs are actually fantastic since they provide you the chance to work for yourself, gain useful manual skills, make decent wages, and have other amazing benefits. The finest trade for you to learn will depend on your particular preferences because every employment has pros and disadvantages of its own. Before deciding a skill to learn, we’ve mentioned a few things you should take into account to make your decision-making process easier. We will talk on What trade should I learn
Factors to Consider Before Making a Decision
The factors below consist of questions you should ask yourself before deciding on which trade to learn.
Would you love to work indoors or outdoors?
Trades jobs can either be done inside or outside. Which do you prefer, working inside or outside? Some occupations, like interior home designers or kitchen fitters, are more likely to work indoors. Locations for plumbers, gas engineers, and electricians will depend on whether you’ll be doing household or industrial work, but only that.
You should think about a career in the construction trades if you love outside work. Most construction workers spend their days outside, building homes or roads.
Do you have colour blindness?
You should stay away from working as an electrician if you have trouble telling colors apart. As an electrician, you will find it incredibly challenging to distinguish between colored wires, which is a serious issue and extremely dangerous. However, there are many trades that won’t be affected by your criteria, thus this is not a significant issue with other deals.
Job growth
Obtaining data about the job’s growth can be quite beneficial when deciding which trade to learn. For instance, firms are now looking for qualified experts to fill roles in the burgeoning construction industry.
While some economic sectors are declining, many are expanding. Learning a trade that will be in demand for a long time is advised. Earning money from a trade is the primary motivation for learning it; all other motivations are secondary. Visit the official website of the Bureau of Labor Statistics to obtain information about job growth in a specific industry.
Training Time
How long do you plan to continue your education? Community colleges, in addition to trade schools, also provide vocational training; however, the training duration at community colleges is longer. While it takes at least two years to earn an Associate’s degree from a community college, you can get a certification from a trade school in just one year. Most students even attend community college for longer periods of time.
Cost of Training
Cost of training is another factor to take into account. The annual cost of the community college will be about $10,000. It might actually seem like a better deal than spending $33,000 to get a trade school credential. Only approximately 11.7% of students earn their associate’s degree in two years for about $20,000; take note of this. Many students attend community college for longer than they anticipated. After taking into account the additional time required to earn an associate degree, the expenditures will also increase.
Job Locations
The location of the job is another consideration. Learn a trade whose professionals are in demand in your area. For instance, Texas has a reputation as the nation’s center for welding employment. Because of this, there will be a high demand for welders in Texas.
Do you feel uneasy working in tight places?
Some trade jobs necessitate working in confined spaces. To access the electrical systems and wires, for instance, electricians frequently have to climb into small locations like ceiling gaps. To reach pipes and drains, plumbers frequently must work in small, cramped areas.
This type of work is difficult for everyone, so if you know you can’t manage it, look into other trade vocations like kitchen fitting and carpentry where you can work in bigger spaces. If you’re afraid of heights as well, think about careers that won’t require you to climb here
Highest and the most In-demand Trade Jobs
What profession should I pursue? For those who desire to achieve financial stability quickly, trade professions provide an alternative to college. Here are a few in-demand skilled trade positions that pay an average yearly salary of more than $50,000 in the United States. We will talk on What trade should I learn.
Electrician ($56,181)
In companies and households, electricians install and maintain the electrical systems. Critical thinking abilities are one of the prerequisites for becoming an electrician because they aid in problem diagnosis. Being an electrician requires learning the craft mostly through apprenticeships, which last for roughly four to five years.
Plumber ($55,162)
The plumber put in place and fixed broken kitchen and bathroom fixtures, as well as gas supply lines. Additionally, they put in toilets, sinks, baths, and washing machines. Critical thinking abilities are also necessary for plumbing occupations because they aid in problem diagnosis. The occupations may have irregular hours on the weekends and nights, but they guarantee financial independence and stable income.
Dental Hygienist ($76,232)
A dental hygienist offers patients quality dental care while also cleaning their teeth. A dental hygienist’s responsibilities include maintaining oral health, taking X-rays when necessary to diagnose dental problems, and offering the appropriate advice on maintaining oral health. Under the direction of a dentist, all of these tasks are carried out.
Respiratory therapist ($61,318)
The majority of the patients that respiratory therapists treat have breathing problems. They create plans to help address conditions affecting the lungs and airways. For people who enjoy helping others and have strong communication skills, this is the ideal career. Hospitals, diagnostic facilities, and pulmonary rehabilitation clinics employ many respiratory therapist.
Industrial machinery mechanic ($56,153)
Industrial machinery mechanics are highly skilled professionals who use their abilities to maintain and repair various pieces of machinery in commercial and industrial settings. However, take notice that in order to be successful in this position, one must be knowledgeable about cutting, welding, and the manual use of diagnostic tools to address machine faults.
Graphic designer
A graphic designer’s duty is to graphically represent ideas through logos, brochures, magazines, or other marketing materials. A graphic designer needs to be very proficient in a variety of cutting-edge programs and sophisticated computer applications in order to generate a variety of designs.
Other in-demand skilled trade jobs are
- Pipefitter/steamfitter ($55,162)
- Medical sonographer ($74,318)
- Radiology Tech ($60,507)
- Cardiovascular Tech ($57,720)
- Electrical and electronics engineering technician ($62,870)
- Industrial engineering technician ($56,555)
- Aircraft mechanic ($64,085)
- Police officer ($63,149)
- Real estate appraiser ($57,013)
- Power plant operator ($81,994)
Reasons why you should learn a trade
- The cost of learning is cheaper compared to a college education
- The timing is shorter and you gain experience immediately
- You will get the opportunity to do what you’re good at
- There is also a huge demand for skilled trade workers.
Conclusion
The concept of attending college and getting a degree is fantastic. However, not everyone should attend college. You will get practical and useful skills by learning a trade, as well as less student loan burden and the chance to gain experience.
There are numerous other things to take into account while selecting a certain trade to master. The best course of action is to conduct thorough study and weigh your options. You’ll be able to choose wisely as a result of this. A wise choice will guarantee a successful career.
Frequently Asked Question
What trade can I learn in 6 months?
You can become certified in a number of career vocations in as little as six months, including bricklaying, personal training, firefighting, air traffic control, real estate brokering, etc.
Are trade skills in demand?
Because there is a growing need for skilled trades workers and a lack of these individuals, skilled trades employment are both highly desired and necessary.
