Are you or someone you know starting out in your career or considering a career change? As a company that can do what we do thanks to the skill and expertise of our trained technicians, installers, helpers, and estimators, we’d like to share just a few of the many great reasons we feel more folks should consider pursuing a career in the trades:

You Can Get Started Right Away

Ready to jump-start your career? For many trades, there is room to start as a helper, and learn the trade on the job. Others prefer to start with a local trade school, where students earn their degree in only 2 years and can typically work in the field to some degree while still in school.

JK Plumbing Manager Casey Blackwell decided to go into the trades after he finished with high school. As he says, “Secondary school wasn’t for me. At the time, teachers made us feel like we had to go to college to have a good job, and that really isn’t true. Rather than go to trade school, I started out as a helper and worked my way up. If you’re willing to put in the work and the time, you can learn and advance a lot, and get paid while you do it.” At JK Mechanical, we love working with early-career technicians and installers, and support paid continuing education and certification to help move your career forward.

It’s About Serving Others

One of the best things about our industry is the feeling of making a real difference in people’s lives. JK Technical and Training Director Brian Shimp has been working in HVAC at JK Mechanical for 34 years, and says that one of his favorite aspects of his career is the joy that comes with serving others. “When someone is thanking you for getting the heat back on on a cold night or getting the water working again, it’s extremely rewarding.”

According to a 2021 study of 2,400 skilled trades employees conducted by Angi, 83% of respondents reported that they are satisfied with their choice of work. The study also finds that the top driver for overall job satisfaction in the skilled home trades is the meaning and value found in the work.

There is High Demand

A simple fact about the existing trades workforce is that it’s getting older, as Boomer Generation workers and now even the oldest of Gen X are entering retirement. In addition, the last few decades’ promotion of college careers at the expense of the trades means that there are more job openings than there are skilled workers.

As Chris Broyles, JK Mechanical’s Commercial Service Director, puts it, “Service industry jobs are always in demand. Our job requires proximity—that can’t be outsourced.”

It’s a Good Living

The idea that only workers with college degrees can earn a decent wage is a myth. Nowadays, thanks to high demand and wage increases, many trades jobs including HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing are a reliable way to support yourself and your family. Many trades workers stay in the field for their entire career, while others use their field experience to move into a sales, management, or estimating role. Plus, you can begin many trades careers with no or very little student debt. Speaking of…

Avoid the Student Debt Crush

Currently, Americans owe more than $1.5 TRILLION dollars in student loan debt, with an average debt per student at over $38,000. While higher education is a good choice for many people, there is a lot to be said for starting a career debt-free or with very minimal schooling costs.

As Mike Rowe says: “Work ethic is important because unlike intelligence, athleticism, charisma, or any other natural attribute, it’s a choice.” If you’re considering a career in the trades, JK Mechanical is here to help. Check out our current job openings here, or contact us below to be connected with resources to help.