February 29th, 2024
Growing up, you might have always heard that if you attend college and obtain a degree, you will be able to enter the workforce with a good paying job. At one point in time, that may have been true, but in today’s world, that statement has fallen short. In recent years, the Skill Trades Industry has been rapidly growing and expanding, leading to a rise in trade school attendance.
So, if you are deciding which path to take, here are a few examples as to why entering the trade industry is becoming a popular move.
Over the years, universities and colleges have been hiking tuition prices, putting students into debt. Some benefits for deciding to enter the trades are:
Shortened and fast track programs, along with lower tuition costs that can be more affordable to the average person.
Faster job entry into the work force allowing people, such as the younger population transitioning out of high school, the opportunity to start earning more money and working toward their future.
Practical hands-on training allows students to perfect their skills needed for specific trades and get a feel for what everyday work will be like on the job.
On average, the trades offer great pay, allowing individuals and families financial flexibility that they might not get coming straight out of college. According to an article by SoFi.com, the current average salaries for trades jobs in the United States range from $50,000 to over $76,000 a year. Regarding linework, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average salary for an Electrical Journeyman Lineman is estimated to be around $94,050, with the potential to earn six figures.
Another aspect of the recent trades push is that the demand for workers has exponentially increased. As older generations in the current workforce plan to retire, the need for a new generation is at an all-time high. When speaking specifically about linework, power delivery is an $840-billion-dollar industry. It continues to rapidly grow, and the demand is expected to increase 23% by 2040.1
Also, in recent years, there has been an increase in layoffs within the job force. This occurrence became especially prominent during 2020’s Covid-19 Pandemic. Corporations were laying off employees left and right, leaving households uncertain of their future. Working in the trades can certainly provide career security as there are necessary infrastructures we need for day-to-day living as well as a lower chance of being replaced by machines and computers.
While the choice for a “normal” four-year degree is still a great option, the trades offer great benefits for those looking for a different route. It is worth checking out the pros and cons of each path and seeing if is trade schools such as our Lineworker Program is the right option for you.
Southeast Lineman Training Center (SLTC) is the premier training school for lineworker training; consistently producing an elite group of highly trained and certified graduates.
