They’re in high-demand and can easily crack the six-figure mark without a college degree. But not enough young people are going into skilled trade careers.
SAN ANTONIO — They’re in high demand and can easily crack the six-figure salary mark without a college degree. But not enough young people are going into skilled trade careers.
The U.S. labor shortage is playing a major role in the ongoing supply chain disruptions impacting many industries. But the shortage was affecting the trades long before the pandemic hit.
According to PeopleReady Skilled Trades, a company connecting businesses with skilled laborers, the shortage of tradespeople has worsened during the pandemic. In a recent report, there were 388,345 jobs posted for skilled trades-related workers between May and June. The company said that amounts to a 50% increase from pre-pandemic levels.
This comes as more baby boomers quit the workforce in 2020. According to the Pew Research Center, about 28.6 million baby boomers retired in the third quarter of 2020, 3.2 million more boomers who called it a career during the same window of time the previous year.
An analysis by PeopleReady Skilled Trades found that these jobs are in most need of workers.
- Plumber apprentices
- Roofer apprentices
- Carpenter helpers
- Carpentry apprentices
- Construction workers
- Electrician helpers
KENS 5 is highlighting local skilled workers who hold some of these high-demand positions.
Construction
Jake Rankin, 35, is a construction manager in the San Antonio area. Inspired to enter the field by his dad, a builder and contractor, Rankin said he started attending college and paid for tuition out of his own pocket.
But he decided to the ditch the debt and pursue construction jobs, starting out as a trim carpenter and worked his way up to his current role.
“I will be a six-figure income in my position,” said Rankin. “It’s been incredible. It’s allowed me and my family to be virtually debt-free and not have that hanging over our head. We’ve been able to live a great, comfortable life for such a young family.”
He said tradespeople tend to be falsely viewed as uneducated and unskilled.
“If you’ve ever worked beside any of these skilled trades, you would see they know more than most people would ever give them credit for,” he said.
Rankin said during the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction industry didn’t slow down but accelerated. He said his company will close over 300 homes this year, and they’re on track to close 500 next year.
“A lot of people were wanting to leave the multi-unit housing. …….