A new year always conjures up the spirit of a fresh start. For those planning to enter the workforce or looking for a career change, now is the time to contemplate job opportunities. If you’re looking for a change of pace with your current job or trying to find the right career path, seeking technical education opportunities can lead to professional and personal fulfillment.
The traditional four-year college path isn’t for everyone. And those who already have higher education accreditations can easily transition to a new field related to career and technical education (CTE). Gaining technical skills doesn’t require taking on a considerable amount of education debt and offers many benefits, including the following.
Enjoy Promising Career Prospects
According to a recent Home Builders Institute report, a substantial portion of the construction labor market is nearing retirement age. The pending departures of many skilled residential construction workers mean promising job prospects for CTE-trained professionals. The average annual number of construction openings is approximately 723,000, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) economic analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and projections.
Earn While You Learn
Individuals are taking on enormous debt to pay for four or more years of college. In the 2021-2022 school year, over half of bachelor’s degree recipients from public and private nonprofit four-year colleges and universities graduated with debt. They had an average debt level of $29,400, according to the College Board’s Trends in Student Aid 2022 report.
Technical education offers an alternative to the four-year college track without the burden of finishing with a tremendous amount of debt. And numerous “earn while you learn” KBA Builder Grant Program internships are available, so you don’t have to wait to complete a training program to start making money.
Escape the Usual 9 to 5
Professionals working in the trades are problem solvers and critical thinkers. Each day has new tasks and challenges that are an ideal match for any CTE-trained individual.
For example, critical thinkers and detail-oriented individuals would excel as carpenters in residential construction, ensuring exact materials. Exceptional analytical skills are qualities found among expert electricians and plumbers, who earn more than $60,000 a year.
Trades Are for Everyone
More women across the country are joining the residential construction industry. According to an NAHB analysis, the number of women employed in the construction industry increased to over 1.28 million in 2022. Women comprise 10% of the construction workforce
For more information on CTE, local careers in construction or the KBA Builder Grant Program internship, contact The Kitsap Building Association.
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