Revealing the Hidden Value of Skilled Trade Careers

A recent survey exposes lack of awareness and ongoing stigma attached to trade careers.

By Stephen Schober, Metal Supermarkets

There seems to be a popular narrative in America that to have a successful career, one must graduate from a four-year college, pursue an office job and sit behind a desk and in front of a computer. But what about important careers such as welders, electricians, mechanics and carpenters that don’t follow the same path? Many young people could be just, if not more, successful pursuing skilled trade careers that are in high demand and come with considerably less student debt. Yet, are they aware or encouraged to consider this route?

Where do we currently stand?

The U.S. Department of Education reports there will be 68 percent more job openings in infrastructure-related fields in the next five years than people training to fill them. The American Welding Society predicts a shortage of more than 375,000 skilled welding professionals by 2023. This comes at a critical time in America where much of the nation’s aging infrastructure will require the expertise of skilled trade workers to rebuild bridges, highways and buildings.  

Metal Supermarkets, the world’s largest supplier of small-quantity metals, recognizes the important need for these skilled tradespeople and the value that comes from those careers. With more than 90 franchise locations throughout North America and the United Kingdom, Metal Supermarkets employs skilled tradespeople daily. Our stores supply local welders, fabricators and other trade professionals with a wide variety of metal products they need to be successful.

There isn’t enough awareness.

With the many benefits of trade careers — from the high demand for their services to a surplus of well-paying, secure jobs — why is there such a shortage of workers? Several months ago, Metal Supermarkets commissioned a survey to gauge young people’s thoughts on pursuing trade careers. The national poll of more than 500 men and women, ages 18-24, exposed some revealing responses about their knowledge and perceptions of attending vocational schools to prepare them for trade careers. Here are some key takeaways:

1. More than half (56 percent) say they are not — or never were — interested in going to trade school. This could be due to their lack of knowledge about trade schools. Two out of every three (66 percent) said they did not know enough about trade schools, and more than half (58 percent) admitted they do not know about the trade schools in their community.
2. 62 percent said they didn’t learn about trade school options in high school, and more than two-thirds (68 percent) said trade schools were never discussed by their guidance counselor.
3. Nearly three out of four polled (73 percent) believe traditional college gives people a better future than trade school.
4. A quarter of those surveyed (25 percent) felt students who attended trade schools were not as smart as those who went to traditional college and believe people attending trade schools were not as motivated as four-year college grads.

It is clear many people simply do not know enough about trade schools and the opportunities they present. In fact, half of the respondents said they’d rather work in a coffee shop as a barista than as a welder, even though top-paying welder jobs can pay more than $100,000 a year.

The survey also revealed the negative association between attending trade schools and pursuing vocational careers. More than half of those who took the survey (55 percent) believe people with office jobs earn more respect than those who work with their hands.

Ending a stigma.

Part of this stigma comes from students and their parents being conditioned to believe the only option coming out of high school is to attend a four-year college. That road has proven to be successful for a lot of young people, but not for all. The increasing cost of traditional college leaves many students saddled with years of debt, while often earning an income that is comparable to, or lower, than what a trade career can deliver.

Student Loan Hero reports that 69 percent of students from the Class of 2018 took out student loans, graduating with an average debt balance of $29,800. However, after completing their degree within two years, trade school graduates face far less student debt and enter the workforce sooner. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the average trade school degree costs $33,000, compared to a $127,000 bachelor’s degree.

One of the best ways to eliminate the stigma is to raise the awareness of the many benefits and opportunities available from attending vocational schools and pursuing careers in these fields.”  

While four-year college students may switch majors in school, and often end up being hired for a job in a different field than what they studied, those attending vocational schools acquire practical experience while learning a specific trade. The U.S. Department of Education reports people with trade and technical educations are actually more likely to be employed than their counterparts with academic credentials, and are significantly more likely to be working in their fields of study.

With a long-term expected shortage of skilled tradespeople, Metal Supermarkets sees the opportunities for young people to land successful, high-paying jobs in the trades. Many of our franchise owners partner with local trade schools or community colleges to support welding programs. They donate supplies and metal materials and hire students in part-time roles while serving as mentors for the next generation of welders.

One of the best ways to eliminate the stigma associated with skilled trade careers, and fill the critical need for these workers, is to raise awareness of the many benefits and opportunities available from attending vocational schools and pursuing careers in these fields. 

Stephen Schober is the President and CEO of Metal Supermarkets. Find out more about Metal Super-markets here.