How to Get a Skilled Trades Job After the Military | G.I.Jobs

Let’s pretend you’re a veteran looking for a new career. I think that’s a reasonably safe bet, given the site you’re on right now. Next, let’s assume that you’re not interested in taking yourself out of the workforce by spending years in college to maybe get a better-paying job. Finally, let’s say that you like money, and would prefer to get a job that pays well. Does that describe you? If it does, good! I’m going to talk to you about opportunities in the skilled trades and how you can get there.

If it doesn’t, I apologize. This isn’t a choose-your-own-adventure article. It’s either the skilled trades thing, or go back to the main page and find a better fit.

First off, let’s look at what I mean when I say “skilled trade.” There is no official list of jobs that qualify as skilled trades. Some, such as plumbers, carpenters and pipefitters, are more or less universally acknowledged as skilled trades, while others hang at the border between general labor or even professional fields.

The aspects that all skilled trade jobs have in common are that they rely on expert knowledge and abilities to perform a labor-intensive task. These are not jobs that require sitting around and thinking, nor are they of the “move this thing over there” variety. You can’t just wing a pipe fitting or a load-bearing beam. Specialized tools and knowledge are a must for the skilled trades.

So why should you consider a skilled trade as a career? Well, for veterans uninterested or unable to go to college, skilled trades are one of the best ways to earn a solid middle-class income. While the gap between the various jobs can be significant, many skilled trades are in demand and often start at or above $20 per hour and rise with experience.

Another reason for many skilled trade jobs is the high degree of job security. Factories can close or move, the latest programming language could fall out of favor, even many specialized fields that require college degrees can be automated or made irrelevant by changes in technology. Toilets will continue to clog until the end of time. They will always need a hero to make them safe for use. (Read More at the Article)