When many people consider potential careers, they’re often discouraged from pursuing the skilled trades. There are many myths about the skilled trades ranging from people assuming that they don’t pay well to thinking that they’re only for people who didn’t do well in school to thinking they don’t involve skill and more. It’s unfortunate that there are so many prevalent myths about the skilled trades, especially since they are among the most essential careers in order to keep the world running smoothly.
In order to change the mindset that the skilled trades aren’t as important as other careers, so that people can understand and respect the value of these jobs, a good start is to debunk some of the common myths about the skilled trades that get spread throughout society. Here are 10 common myths about the skilled trades – and why they simply aren’t true.
#1. They Don’t Pay Well
Parents commonly discourage their children from pursuing trades work because they assume that in order to get a high-paying job, you need a degree from a college or university. The fact of the matter is that many trades jobs actually pay more than jobs that require a degree. When you pursue trades work, you probably won’t have the massive amount of student loans many college students get shackled with, and many trades jobs will train you and pay you for said training.
You’re more likely to get paid a living wage with trades work than with what most jobs that require a degree offer for entry-level positions.
#2. They’re Only For Men
Unfortunately, among all the other myths about the skilled trades, there’s still the assumption that they’re only for men. While historically, this has been true, since throughout history, women have been barred from pursuing careers, and while it is true that the trades are a male-dominated industry, more and more, hiring practices within the trades are changing to be more inclusive and allow women the chance to pursue trades work. Just like men, women have the capabilities to do any sort of work – including trades work.
#3. They’re A Back-Up Plan
Another misconception about the skilled trades is that they’re only fit as a backup plan for if you didn’t do well in university. The truth is that the trades are a valid career path in and of themselves, and that take a lot of skill in order to be able to do them properly. Many people have no idea how to fix their plumbing or electricity themselves or the intricacies involved in construction projects. While you can certainly switch career paths to the trades if you want to, they’re not simply there if you can’t get anything else. The trades are an essential part of society and fantastic careers to pursue with passion.
#4. You Can’t Find A Career Through Them
There are many myths about the skilled trades including the assumption that they only involve seasonal work or contracts or that they’re just temp work. There are trades jobs like this, but there are many projects that last years, and there are so many companies that offer permanent positions, making a career in the trades extremely viable.
#5. They’re Not Important
Among the myths about the skilled trades, this one is among the most harmful and is most commonly used to demean trades work and discourage people from pursuing it. Trades jobs are some of the most essential jobs in society, making them extremely important. You can’t have new buildings without construction workers. You can’t have electricity in your home without electricians. You can’t have good plumbing without plumbers. And so on and so forth. The trades are what make a comfortable day-to-day life and society as we know it possible.
#6. Skilled Trades Are Only For People Who Didn’t Do Well In School
This ties into the previous myth about how the trades are a back-up plan. Just as that isn’t true, neither is the assumption that trades work is only for those who couldn’t get good grades. The trades involve a lot of extensive detailed knowledge for technology and machinery and computer software and more. You need to be very knowledgeable in order to be successful in trades work.
#7. Skilled Trades Consist Only Of Plumbers, Construction, And Electricians
While plumbers, construction workers, and electricians are jobs within the skilled trades, that’s not all they consist of. They also include work such as carpentry, baking, cooking, and more. The idea of trades work consists only of what is traditionally associated with it couldn’t be more wrong.
#8. The Trades Aren’t A “Real” Career
Again, there are many damaging myths about the skilled trades, such as the assumption that they’re not a real career. But the trades are most certainly a real career and one that people can hold for the entirety of their working years. While there are plenty of temp jobs in the skilled trades – which are very valid and very necessary – there’s no shortage of career opportunities. As a matter of fact, temp work can turn into a permanent placement, if you prove that you are dedicated and good at your job.
#9. Trades Jobs Aren’t Intellectually Stimulating
Similar to the myths about the skilled trades that they’re only for those who didn’t do well in school or that they’re not important is the misconception that they don’t require thought and that they’re boring and dull. Trades work involves a lot of brain power as you need to figure out problems, how to fix them, what kind of thing would be best for this kind of place, and more. There’s plenty of intellectual stimulation involved in trades work.
#10. You Can’t Advance In Trades Jobs
This myth also stems from the idea that trades work consists only of temporary jobs. However, there’s plenty of room for advancement and pay raises within the trades. With the amount of demand there is for trades work, you need managers, you need supervisors, and much more. There’s plenty of room to advance within the skilled trades.
All Trades Staffing Services LLC provides plenty of job opportunities within the trades. Our temp work makes it so that you’re always busy, and many of the people who have used our services have been hired on to permanent positions within the companies who hire us for temp workers because the employer liked them so much and they proved their skills. If you’re looking for a job in the trades, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We always have temp work available, and with how we screen everyone, you can rest assured that all of our postings are legitimate.
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