Public Libraries and Workforce Development

Opening Doors to the Skilled Trades

About 12 million people make up the skilled trades workforce, with more than 40 percent aged 45 and older. Only around 9 percent of those aged 19-24 are entering the trades, leading experts to forecast a shortage in skilled trades workers. This presents an opportunity for job seekers in your community.

What skilled trades workers have to say

• 87% say they’re happy in their jobs
• 94% would encourage family members to pursue a career in the skilled trades
• 95% are optimistic about their job security, even in the face of artificial intelligence
• 95% are optimistic about their earnings potential
• 93% anticipate exciting career growth opportunities
• 92% believe they can learn new skills or advanced technologies in their trade

Advantages of a skilled trade over a desk job

• A more flexible schedule
• A faster educational program
• A less expensive education and/or less debt
• Quicker entry into the workforce
• The ability to be your own boss
• Financial security

Most in-demand skilled trades in the U.S.

• Automotive Technician
• HVAC Technician
• Carpenter
• Electrician
• Plumber
• Welder
• Heavy Equipment Operator
• Manufacturing Technician
• Millwright
• Over the Road Truck Driver

BlueCareer by EBSCOlearning can help job seekers and career changers in your community explore and prepare for a career in the skilled trades. Learn more

Sources

BlueCareer by EBSCOlearning. (2023). State of the trades: Hiring trends Q4-2023.

PeopleReady. (2022, July 19). Skilled trades labor scarcity: Workforce aging as fewer recruits enter trades. Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/skilled-trades-labor-scarcity-workforce-aging-as-fewer-recruits-enter-trades-301589407.html

Steckel, D. (2023, August 24). Young people want skilled trade careers — so what’s stopping them? Thumbtack. [blog]. Retrieved from https://blog.thumbtack.com/young-people-want-skilled-trades-careers-so-whats-stopping-them-cab3fc35a846