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The Benefits Of

Working At A

Skilled Trade:

A Guide

thats our business
In today’s job market, it can be
difficult to get a foothold if you don’t
have a degree or aren’t working to-
ward one. Many companies are look-
ing for some measure of experience,
whether it’s through previous work
or training through school, and a lot
of people feel like they just don’t have You’ll always have work
what it takes to compete with others in their field. While many people struggle to stay above water where

Still others aren’t sure what they want to do profession- their job is concerned--always worrying about their
ally, and the thought of going back to school is fright- security--those who are skilled at a trade can almost
ening due to the expense or they just aren’t comfort- always count on having employment available because
able in that environment. For many of these people, hands-on jobs can’t be outsourced. Not only that,
the answer lies within a skilled trade, which will keep there’s usually a wealth of these jobs open around the
them employed for years to come. U.S., making it easy to find work even if you make a
move sometime in your career.
If you’re interested in learning a trade to become an
electrician, plumber, mechanic, welder, contractor or Call the shots
other professional, there are many things to consider, Many people trained in a trade are able to either make
and lots of benefits to think about. Here are some of their own hours or start their own business working
the best reasons to learn a trade. for themselves, and that kind of freedom is valuable.
Also, training in a specific trade means you get to do
Skilled trades training is often less expensive what you enjoy every day, rather than taking a job just
College isn’t cheap; even if you choose a communi- because you need the money.
ty college, you’ll still likely be putting yourself into
massive amounts of debt if you get assistance through Find work with the government
financial aid. However, trade school programs take less Government jobs often offer many of their own perks,
time to complete and cost far less--about $30,000 com- such as job security, good pay, and the opportunity for
pared to over $100,000 for a traditional college--mak- future work, and many trades people are hired for jobs
ing them a much better option for someone who for government-owned buildings and events. Read on
doesn’t want to spend years digging out of debt. at www.dol.gov/apprenticeship for more info on how
you can find work that will further your career and
The pay is better possibly lead to benefits such as tuition payments.
On average, someone who is skilled at a specific trade
and has experience in the field will make much more Learning a skill can help jumpstart your career or ad-
money annually than an average employee, because it’s vance it; think about what you want from your job and
impossible for just anyone to walk in and fix a faulty weigh your options. Many people find that learning a
electrical line; it takes a certain skillset and knowledge. trade provides job security for years to come. ◆
Generally speaking, a tradesperson can usually make
between $13 and $36 per hour, depending on the job.

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