Benefits
BENEFITS OF WORKING IN THE TRADES
WHY CONSTRUCTION TRADES
There are several compelling reasons why you might consider pursuing a career in the construction trades; here are a few:
High Demand
The construction industry consistently demands skilled tradespeople and drives the need for skilled labor for infrastructure projects, urban development, and home construction.
Job Security
Skilled trades are frequently in demand regardless of economic conditions. People will always need buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, which ensures a steady stream of work for those in the construction trades.
Potential for High Earnings
Skilled tradespeople can often earn competitive wages, especially as they gain experience and specialize in particular construction fields. In addition, many construction trades offer opportunities for overtime pay, bonuses, and other incentives.
Opportunities for Advancement
The industry offers opportunities for advancement, whether it is moving into managerial roles, starting your own contracting business, or specializing in a specific area such as plumbing, electrical work, or carpentry.
Hands-On Work
If you enjoy working with your hands and seeing tangible results from your efforts, a career in the construction trades can be gratifying. You get to see first-hand the physical impact of your work and take pride in the structures you help create for our communities.
Variety of Work
Construction projects can vary significantly in scope and complexity, providing opportunities to work on diverse projects. Whether it is building homes, skyscrapers, highways, or renovations, there is always something new and exciting to work on.
Training and Educational Opportunities
Many trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs offer training and education tailored to the construction trades. These programs often combine classroom instruction with hands-on experience, preparing individuals for successful careers in the industry.
Job Satisfaction
For many people, a sense of satisfaction comes from seeing a project through from start to finish and knowing that they have played a crucial role in bringing it to fruition. Construction work can be physically demanding, but many find it rewarding to see the results of their labor and how impactful it can be.
Overall, a career in the construction trades can offer stability, financial security, job satisfaction, and opportunities for growth and advancement, making it a desirable option for young adults looking to enter the workforce.
WHY ELECTRICAL TRADES
Great pay
A licensed electrician can make a very good salary.
Benefits
In electrical privately held merit shops and Union often offer these benefits: sick leave, paid time off, health and disability insurance, and retirement benefits.
Job security
People will always need electricians, no matter the economy. The demand for electricians is expected to grow 9% in the next decade. For an electrician in Illinois, there are thousands of openings including a range of electrician apprenticeship program offerings.
Low cost of entry
You don’t have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a college education. With a high school diploma or equivalency, you can enter an apprenticeship program. You can, of course, go to a community or technical college to get advanced training.
Earn while you learn
Before you become a licensed electrician, you will need to serve as an apprentice under the close supervision of a licensed electrician. Many of these programs, however, will pay you, so you are making money as you learn.
Career advancement
You also can get training on specialized areas that will help advance your career. These include:
- Electrical assembler
- Solar panel electrician
- Automotive electrician
- Industrial electrician
- Electrical designer
Interesting and diverse work
As an electrician, you will never be bored. Every day may be different, but they all will require you to use problem-solving skills and think on your feet. Here are just a few of the things you will be asked to do:
- Install electrical equipment and systems.
- Repair electrical devices and systems.
- Maintain those same devices and systems.
- Develop blueprints for electrical systems.
- Inspect electrical systems for malfunctions or safety hazards.
- Replace old or damaged electrical equipment.
You are out and about
If you do not want to sit in an office all day, this job is for you. In addition to the thinking skills required, expect to move around, climb ladders, lift equipment and more. So the job is both mentally and physically challenging.
Instant gratification
No waiting days, weeks or months to see results. You can often see the fruits of your labor immediately.
Respected work
People understand the work you do is important and requires a significant skill set. As a result, your work will be greatly respected.
WHY MANUFACTURING TRADES
Whether you’re just starting your career or you’re looking to change your path, here are 10 reasons why now is a great time to get into manufacturing.
You'll be joining a high-demand industry
The manufacturing industry is experiencing a skills gap – meaning there will be more available jobs than there are qualified workers. A few reasons for that is a shift to “reshoring” or bringing manufacturing back to the US from overseas, as well as the Baby Boomer generation soon entering retirement. This means there’s a high demand for hardworking employees. In fact, it’s estimated that there will be 3.5 million new skilled manufacturing jobs created in the next decade.
MANUFACTURING OFFERS GOOD PAY AND BENEFITS
According to DataUSA.com, the average manufacturing salary is over $63,000. Many full-time jobs also come with benefits such as health insurance and retirement fund contributions. While wages can vary based on location, employer, and experience, the bottom line is you can make a good living with a career in manufacturing.
YOU'LL AVOID STUDENT DEBT
The average student debt of a college graduate today is over $31,000. The rising cost of higher education has made a four-year college degree unrealistic or not the sure investment that it used to be. If you’re graduating from high school or looking to switch to a new career, you can gain an entry-level position in manufacturing without accumulating student debt that will follow you for years. This also gives you the chance to start adding savings for retirement sooner. There are many different paths into a career in manufacturing including apprenticeships and on-the-job training.
WORK WITH NEW TECHNOLOGIES
If you like learning about and using the latest gadgets, you could turn that passion into a career. Manufacturers are constantly adding new technologies to improve productivity, quality, and safety. Some examples include 3D printing, robotics, analytics, internet of things (IoT) connectivity, blockchain, and more.
HAVE JOB STABILITY
As the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated, not all industries are safe during uncertain economic times. However, many manufacturers were considered essential businesses and stayed open while other industries were shut down. Plus, since the job market is in high demand, employers are offering higher wages and better benefits to retain skilled workers.
HAVE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT
Once you get your foot in the door with a manufacturing employer, there are many different ways you can advance your career. From working up to a manager role to transitioning to a different department such as sales or operations, you have opportunities to shape your future.
TAKE PRIDE IN MAKING SOMETHING REAL
When so much of our lives are digital today, there’s something fulfilling about making something tangible that you can hold or use. Depending on your job, you can make products that are used in everyday life or you see out in the real world. You could also take pride in making products that help others such as medical devices, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and more.
STAY ACTIVE
Not everyone is interested in sitting at a desk for eight hours a day. If that sounds like you, good news – many manufacturing jobs keep you moving, active, and collaborating with others.
GET INVOLVED IN A PERSONAL INTEREST
Since manufacturing is used in so many different industries, you could find a career working in an area that matches one of your personal interests. For example, if you are a motorsports fan, you could work in automotive manufacturing. Or if you like technology, you could help build the next big electronic device.
USE CREATIVITY AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS
Contrary to popular belief, manufacturing jobs are not all repetitive, assembly-line style tasks. Actually, many modern manufacturers are looking for workers who offer fresh, creative thinking and can solve problems – for example, figuring out a better way to set up a machine for a job.
WHY AUTOMOTIVE TECH CAREERS
Working in an automotive dealership can be appealing for several reasons:
Innovation
The automotive industry is constantly evolving with new technologies, such as electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and advanced safety features. For those interested in cutting-edge technology and innovation, this industry can be very appealing.
Stability
The automotive industry is a stable sector with a constant demand for vehicles and services, offering long-term job security.
Wage Potential
Many dealership roles offer the opportunity to increase your earnings based on your efforts, while servicing customers with integrity.
Industry Stability
The automotive industry is a stable and growing industry, offering long-term career prospects.
Training and Development
Dealerships often provide training and development opportunities to help you advance in your career and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
Employee Discounts
Some dealerships offer employee discounts on vehicles, parts and service, making it more affordable to purchase a car and keeping it maintained by professionals.
Community Outreach
Participating in community events or workshops to educate people about car safety and maintenance.
Community Service
Many dealerships provide the opportunity for team members to go out into the community and give back, making a positive impact.
Overall, working in an automotive dealership can be rewarding for those who are passionate about helping others, who love working with cars and trucks, or who are looking for a career path that is very rewarding!
Overall, a career in the trades can offer stability, financial security, job satisfaction, and opportunities for growth and advancement, making it a desirable option for young adults looking to enter the workforce.
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