Are you miserable wearing formal wear to work and working in a stuffy office building?
One of the reasons the Great Resignation — a pandemic-era phenomenon — took flight is that people just got fed up. Whether because of a lack of work-life balance, toxic workplaces, too little pay, or a lack of appreciation from higher-ups, people resigned in great numbers.
While the Great Resignation is now done, that doesn’t mean everyone’s happy at work. Far from it. Some people work to live. In other words, they punch a clock simply because they need a place to live, food to eat, and the creature comforts of life. But making money and enjoying life are mutually exclusive concepts.
A previous report indicated that almost 30% of full-time workers were likely to quit last year. If you’re sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and want a career change, it pays to see what the trades have to offer.
Consider these four reasons why a trade job can enhance your life if where you’re at now isn’t cutting it.
- High Earning Potential
According to Talent.com, the average salary for a skilled trade professional in the U.S. is $49,573 annually. Entry level positions begin at $39,550 annually, while experienced people can make as much as $76,773. Glassdor.com, meanwhile, says a commercial electrician can make up to $81,000 annually, and a plumber can bring in $80,000 annually.
You’ll find competitive wages if you pursue a skilled trade, and you won’t have to worry about the financial burden of student loan debt. Money isn’t everything, but a job you love that offers a competitive salary with plenty of growth potential can put you in the right frame of mind.
- Job Security
Yet another way a job in the trades can help make you more content is by providing job security. If you fear losing your job because of layoffs, stress will be your constant companion. You’ll worry about getting a pink slip, applying for employment insurance, and struggling to find work.
But the demand for skilled workers in the trades means job security. If you’re in a trade niche with labor shortages, your job stability odds will increase. Job security is one way a trade job can enhance your life.
- Faster Entry into the Workforce
Not everyone wants to spend years studying to earn a degree — especially if a trade will take a fraction of the time and money. That means you’ll be in the workforce, making a living in no time.
Consider, too, that going to trade school means you can apply for apprenticeships. You’ll learn and get paid during your apprenticeships, and you’ll be ready to get a job in your chosen field in short order.
If you fancy getting an education and starting your career without a long wait, you can also consider certifications that take a day or less and can be completed online. One such option is a forklift operator certification. Who’s got the time to spend four years in a classroom, after all?
- Hands-On Work
Let’s face it. Some people are happier when they can work with their hands. So, if that describes you, a job in the trades can enhance your life. You won’t drag your feet when it’s time to get up in the morning and head to work. It’ll be more of a pleasure and less of an inconvenience.
Trades require many skills like problem-solving and strategic decision-making. Going this route will help you think — and work — outside the office cubicle.
Now you know some ways a career in the trades can enhance your life. If you’ve never considered going that route, it makes sense to ask yourself whether a skilled trades job is the right move.
