Eaaie! will bake cont sale next nesdiy wach ON vill ad.' sa ir DA vn Perlel ware he & les, ihis er vnducted al ig ill nd ths Whe war dais i" wil hal sale ni “Noo apy im ike a eal ony aud, M/ a smiake a" a why OF JOBS (NAPS)—According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2014 the U.S. will need 100,000 workersto fill job openings in the skilled trades, such as plumbing, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning andrefrigeration. The shortage of skilled workers is likely to continue, as it appears the next generation of tradespeople is not lined up tofill their shoes. In fact, according to a recent survey, just 6 percent of high school students said they would consider a job in theskilled trades. “Skilled tradespeople are really the backboneof this country,” says Fred Pond, president of RIDGID, the tool company that sponsored the survey. “When the economy turns around, andit will, the real- ities of an aging infrastructure, urbanization and a mature workforce all remain—and the demand for the next generation of skilled tradespeoplewill be significant.” Are The Skilled Trades Right For You? “Trade workers are typically very good at math, enjoy working with their hands andprefer different work environments,” says Wyatt Kilmartin, director, RIDGID. “A job in the trades is perfect for someone who does not want the typical ‘9 to 5’ office job. Plus, a great percentage of skilled workers go on to own their own business and achieve high earning potential.” Vocational training in the plumbing trade curriculum includes math, science and communi- cations training, sketching and blueprint reading, rural installation, theory and water supply, pipe hookups andsafety instruction. With proper education, including on-the-job training, skilled trades provide an excellent opportunity for job growth. Climbing The Ladder Tradespeople typically attend a formal training program or learn under a licensed contractor— going on to earn in the range of $15 to $20 per hour. “Experienced tradespeople can earn up to $90,000 a year—exceeding the earning potential of many college graduates,” says Kilmartin. “There will always be a demand for on-site skilled labor. You can’t install or fix a pipe from 3,000 miles away.” Education Is Key The RIDGID survey revealed that an overwhelming 77 percent of students who have taken skilled trades vocational classes in high school said they would consider a career in the skilled trades, nearly twice the percentage of students in general(39 percent). In addition, 60 percent of students said they are more interested in working in the trades knowing that skilled tradespeople can have flexible hours, possible free on-the-job training, good work benefits and the potential to own their own business. “Young people in search of a career path need to know that historically there is a high demand and great future potential— including the opportunity to own and operate your own business— that comes with a career in the skilled trades,” says Kilmartin For more information about the RIDGID survey, visit the Web site at www.ridgid.com.
