SKILLED TRADES

ADDRESSING WORKER SHORTAGES

The popularity of Americas skilled trade careers has been in steady decline for the past few
generations, and industries that have relied on American workers across the country are
now feeling the efects of that. Skilled trades encompass many careers, including welding,
pipeftting, carpentry, HVAC, etc. They are ofen heavily involved in construction and
manufacturing, and these jobs ofen cant easily (if at all) be outsourced. While the shortage
puts employers at a disadvantage, it also creates huge opportunities for newcomers to the
industry.
2 Skilled Trades: Addressing Worker Shortage 2014
WHY THERE ARE FEWER WORKERS IN THE
SKILLED TRADES
6
%
53
%
18.6
%
20
%
Of high school
students desired a
future career in the
skilled trades.
Of US skilled trade
workers were at least
45 years old in a 2012
study conducted by
EMSI.
Of skilled trade
workers were
between the ages
of 55 and 64.
Of the skilled trade
workers may need
to be replaced over
the next decade.
However, these statistics are even more extreme in many states, including New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
To further complicate the issue, during the recession, many skilled workers lef the industry afer being laid of from
their jobs. They retrained themselves for the business or service sectors in search of more stable employment. Afer
undergoing this training, many were unwilling to return to the industry as it picked up again, contributing to further
supply labor losses as the market rebounded.
There are a few reasons that have contributed to the decline of skilled trade jobs. High school students are ofen
pushed toward university education and then onward toward white collar jobs. Some people believe that these jobs
have higher earning potential than manual work, an idea thats been popularized by the rise of IT professionals. In
general, high schools have promoted academic values rather than career-oriented ones. Many more are driven away
by misconceptions about their own mechanical abilities, mobility within skilled trade careers, and the social status of
skilled workers. The decline of new entrants into the skilled trades is compounded by the number of older professionals
approaching retirement. Because skilled trade work ofen entails physically demanding tasks, many workers do not put
of retirement once they reach 65 and are able to start collecting benefts.
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CONSEQUENCES OF THE LABOR SHORTAGE
INCENTIVES FOR STUDENTS TO ENTER THE
SKILLED TRADES
Without enough laborers, manufacturing and construction
falls behind. Businesses gradually lose the resources they
need to quickly fll orders, and then orders may be placed
with other manufacturers. In some cases, work may be
shifed to overseas locations or foreign laborers may
be brought in. Neither of these outcomes is ideal, but if
American manufacturing labor supply isnt able to recover
and the demand still exists, the US will be forced to look to
outside talent.
There is widespread support to encourage more young men
and women to pursue careers in the skilled trades. In the
2014 State of the Union Speech, President Obama called
for an overhaul of Americas federal training programs,
promoting greater participation of apprenticeships and
other forms of skilled trades training. These calls to action
are part of the eforts being made to improve economic
growth and stability by focusing on the livelihood of
Americans.
Ultimately, not flling these jobs could mean that there will
be fewer US jobs like these in the future as markets look
for other ways to meet demand. While some trades are
inherently protected by geography from being outsourced
(such as HVAC and plumbing), there are still consequences
for the economy. As labor shortages continue, productivity
as a whole sufers, and this curbs economic growth. This
has led to major investments in the education of new labor
in the skilled trades
There are also various groups and NGOs, like SkillsUSA,
that promote skilled trades to high schoolers to give them
exposure to skilled trade work and help them develop
an interest in it. There are also a number of programs,
including mikeroweWORKS, that raise money for skilled
trade scholarships for students who plan to attend trade
school or other skilled trade education programs.
4 Skilled Trades: Addressing Worker Shortage 2014
BENEFITS OF A SKILLED TRADES CAREER
High job demand is a major beneft to working in the skilled trades. One
concern of people considering careers in the skilled trades is that their jobs
will be sent overseas to countries with low labor costs. However, much of
Americas skilled trade jobs cannot be outsourced (home construction, bridge
repair, automotive services, etc.), and more manufacturing jobs are returning
to American soil, prompted by fnancial and logistical incentives.
Skilled trade workers have a wide range of career options. Even within a
single trade, there are many directions that workers can take. For example,
welders are needed everywhere from outdoor construction and repair to
environmentally controlled manufacturing plants. There are a number of
industries that employ the same type of skilled labor, giving workers many
options to choose from when deciding what jobs they want to focus on.
Careers in the skilled trades are highly engaging for individuals. Workers
provide complex tasks, and their work environment is constantly changing as
they move from project to project. They also work in varied conditions. While
this can mean working in some extreme situations (tight spaces, cold weather,
etc.), its safe to say people in the skilled trades are not likely to get bored.
The talents of skilled trades workers are in demand across the country, as
well. Anywhere there are rivers, bridges will need to be built. Anywhere
people use air conditioning, technicians will need to service the AC systems.
Anywhere there is an oil boom, pumping stations and pipelines will need to be
constructed. Any type of infrastructure (roads, gas lines, residences, schools,
ships, indoor plumbing, etc.) is created and maintained by skilled trade
workers. Wherever there is infrastructure, there is also a potential demand
for skilled labor.
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TURNING SKILLED LABOR SHORTAGES
INTO OPPORTUNITY
In 2010, 14% of US employers reported having difculty flling positions within their organizations. The most common
problem was that available applicants were underqualifed their skill level wasnt high enough to fulfll the role that
employers needed them to. With proper technical education, newcomers to the feld can bridge the skill gap and give
themselves more opportunities for employment. Trade schools and vocational training programs across the country are
sending more graduates into the workforce every day to carve out successful careers for themselves in welding, HVAC,
plumbing, and more.
For more information about training at a technical school for a career in the skilled trades, contact an Admissions
Representative at Tulsa Welding School.
Sources:
http://education.yahoo.net/articles/jobs_that_are_hard_to_fll.htm
http://www.forbes.com/sites/emsi/2013/03/07/americas-skilled-trades-dilemma-shortages-loom-as-most-in-demand-group-of-workers-ages/
http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2010/11/07/if-there-is-a-shortage-of-skilled-workers-in-the-trades-why-arent-salaries-rising/
http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/15760/poll-skilled-trades-rank-low-in-teens-career-options
http://www.equipmentworld.com/facing-9-billion-in-demand-iowa-contractors-feel-impact-of-skilled-labor-shortage/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-ofce/2014/01/28/president-barack-obamas-state-union-address
http://profoundlydisconnected.com/trading-up/
http://press.manpower.com/press/2010/manpower-annual-survey-reveals-shortages-persist-in-key-roles-despite-available-job-seekers/
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