Best Trades for Todays Labour Market
The best trades for today’s labour markets are ones that are portable, in demand and optimized to make the most of a technologically savvy global marketplace. In the developed world manufacturing-based economies are being replaced with services-based economies, a painful-but-necessary transition that is resulting in many blue-collar workers losing their jobs. Despite these changes trades-people still have an essential role to play in the economy, and for anyone with the proper skills, positioning and attitude the opportunities abound. Here are a few of the best trades for today’s labour markets:
Plumber
Toilets will keep on plugging up no matter how good or bad the economy might be. Aging pipes and hot-water heaters will all eventually need replacing, whether the homeowner can afford it or not, and municipal infrastructure like water mains and sewers can’t last forever. A good plumber who shows up on time, has the tools, the materials and the know-how to quickly and permanently do whatever needs to be done should have no trouble building a loyal, referral-based clientele in no time.
Electrician
While the case for becoming a small electrical contractor is just as good as it is for becoming a plumber, electricians who are willing to work on a slightly larger scale will see even more work and benefits in the years to come, as electricity replaces oil as world’s economic engine. Every home garage will need a “car charger” installed, likely at a heavier amperage than many do-it-yourself-ers feel comfortable working with. Instead of gas stations electricians will be needed to build re-charging stations, and they’ll need to repair this new technology when it breaks down.
Machinist
Thanks to computers machines are now capable of more independently performing more complex activities than ever before, from vacuuming a room to parking a car to brain surgery. The components they require for these jobs require precision machining on a scale even beyond the current demands of heavy industry. Someone skilled enough to machine precision parts to within ever-more-specific tolerances will be sought after in a wide variety of fields.
Auto Mechanic
Cars may be changing but they certainly aren’t going to go away. They will keep on being driven, being broken, and being an essential component of modern life for decades to come. Keeping up with changing technologies will be essential, but as cars become more complex their owners will need to turn to the professionals more and more often to keep them on the road.
The secret about skilled labour is that there really isn’t a trade for today’s labour market that isn’t in demand somewhere in the world. From the Palm Islands of Dubai to skyscrapers of Bangalore to the oil rigs of Fort McMurray Alberta skilled trades-people are very much in demand.
