Are you looking to pick up a trade career that will provide a secure and fulfilling source of income for the long term? There are a number of possibilities worth considering – and, in many cases, you won’t need to spend any time or money picking up a college degree. Let’s take a look at three of the most popular and compelling options.
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Electrician
The job of an electrician is to install, maintain, and repair electrical systems. This is an essential role in the modern economy, since every corner of the US – from residential to commercial to industrial settings – is absolutely reliant on electrical power.
Recent years have seen a pronounced shift in demand in the US. Increasingly, renewable energy sources, and smart-home appliances, are needed – along with the technical expertise necessary to install these things. Thus, new electricians can expect high demand for their services, and this is reflected in the median annual wage for the profession, which sits at just over sixty thousand dollars per annum, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This is a hands-on job. Entering into it typically involves a combination of classroom sessions and on-the-job instruction. An apprenticeship is an obvious path forward. Once you’re on the job, you’ll need to pay for things like transport, equipment, and specialized clothing. Various tools such as analog voltmeters, multimeters, cable-threading tools, and the actual cables and outlets themselves might all be called for, depending on the job.
Plumber
The role of a plumber is similar to that of an electrician, except that you’ll be dealing with systems for delivering water rather than power. A good plumber will be able to take care of older, historic installations, as well as brand-new cutting-edge ones. The job involves technical problem-solving, soldering skills, and dealing with clients personally.
Becoming a plumber almost always involves an apprenticeship. Through this, you’ll get the required combination of experience and technical knowledge. Since just about every building in the US requires a source of running water, this is a job for which the demand is virtually limitless.
Wind Turbine Technician
While the other two professions we’ve mentioned are longstanding, there’s another, more specialized profession that’s arisen more recently. Since wind turbines, both offshore and onshore have a limited lifespan, they must be maintained and occasionally replaced. A ‘wind tech’ can earn around $60,000, but the job requires a postsecondary technical certificate.
You should expect to work outdoors at height – and to be away from home for much of your professional life. For some, this may be a deal-breaker. For others, it might be a downside outweighed by the exciting possibility that you might contribute to an exciting, innovative branch of the energy industry.
