Careers in the Trades: Often Overlooked, but in High Demand
Are you a hands-on learner? Maybe you’re not at the top of your class and can’t see yourself going to a four-year school, or perhaps the thought of starting your career immediately after high school excites you. While a traditional four-year degree is not for everyone, a trade school or on-the-job training program may be exactly what you’re looking for.
The baby boomer generation makes up the majority of workers in the skilled trades. As this generation retires, an increasing number of opportunities are opening up for younger workers to fill their boots.
If you feel like you don’t have enough experience, that may be true — for now. Although some skilled trade positions require certifications, others allow for on-the-job training, giving you the opportunity to learn and gain experience in the environment in which you’ll be working.
At KLE Construction, we encourage today’s youth to seriously consider looking at a career in the trades. Look at what our employees have to say:
Collin Harlow (pictured above in the black hard hat) writes, “I started at KLE in July 2018 as an equipment operator, and worked my way up to foreman in eight months. I went to a one-year trade school after high school, where I learned the basics of how to run all types of equipment. My first job after college was a smaller company that allowed me to learn at an accelerated rate compared to most. The trade industry has endless opportunities to grow and work your way up. It also gives you the opportunity to travel the world and see many new things, as trade work is needed in every town, city, and state you go to.”
“I learned to run equipment while growing up on a farm in Oregon,” comments Taylor Garofano. Taylor joined KLE as an operator in March 2019, where she quickly advanced into an assistant foreman. “I took some college classes while in high school, but didn’t go to college or trade school after high school. Everything I know, I learned on the job. The money is great, but seeing the final product gives me such a sense of accomplishment. I love it!”
Site foreman Dustin Akin states, “When I started learning how to run heavy equipment, I had no idea the potential a trade like this would have. A trade is certain set of skills that a person can take with them through any walk of life. It is something that can be someone’s passion, something to fall back on, or something as simple as a hobby. But with learning skills of a trade, you don’t need to accumulate years of college debt to obtain it. You simply need a good work ethic, willingness to learn, and the drive to succeed.”
At KLE Construction, we encourage self-growth, and we work hard to help our employees achieve their goals. If your goal is to join our team as a laborer and advance to an equipment operator, pipe foreman, or mechanic, we’re here to help you succeed. We invest in you!