The Shortage of Skilled Workers May Be Your Ticket to The Perfect Career

Remember answering the question as a child, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” When you were little, you probably had an answer at the ready: a doctor, firefighter, a marine biologist… and any number of other professions. Today, you may have happily chosen the same or a different path. Or you may be unsure which direction is right for you—finding a new career often takes time and a few wrong turns.

In fact, the worker of today is likely to try out more than a few jobs before settling. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor study (which followed 10,000 workers over 35 years) found that they held, on average, about 12 different jobs (11.9 to be exact).

Working at a job you don’t enjoy can be motivating, and lead you to seek out new, satisfying opportunities. In the program spaces at NBSS, you see these students everywhere. They’ve come to our trade school after working in a job (or series of jobs) that left them unfulfilled. And there are some students who come from a field they’ve enjoyed, but they’re ready for something completely new and challenging. For others, they may have discovered that they can actually make a living doing something they’ve only ever enjoyed as a hobby.

So, if you can’t wait to go home to your workshop or love tinkering with new technology, there may be a skilled trade just waiting for your talents.

Easier said than done, right? It’s one thing to think about a life change and another to actually act on it. There’s no doubt that it’s intimidating to consider choosing a completely different path than the one you’re on career-wise. You may be asking yourself, “Is it actually possible? Will I be able to make a living doing that work?”

If you’re considering the skilled trades, the answer is an unqualified “yes.” Not only are skilled trades the foundation of our economy, there’s a critical shortage of skilled workers leading to unprecedented demand. Whether you want to start your own business or work for someone else, having a marketable skill will put you at the head of the line. And, given the turmoil recently introduced into the labor market by the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on businesses nationwide, if you’re ready for a new challenge, doesn’t it make sense to go where the jobs are?

A great first step in exploring career options in the skilled trades is connecting with a good trade school that has strong alumni and career resources. We invite you to get in touch with questions about the skilled trades and opportunities or request information to learn more about our classes and full-time programs. You never know, your perfect career may just be waiting for you.