Traditionally, working in the trades has always been a job for men. However, things have changed immensely over the past decades, and women are slowly breaking into what was once a man-only world. It’s an exciting opportunity for women to show they have the skill set to not only work in trades but also surpass their competition. Thankfully, companies and customers are more than willing to hire women for a trades job, and that opens plenty of opportunities.
Examples of women working in the trades
Hannah Coral is an electrician and she is very excited to work within this niche. She says it herself that usually, she’s the only woman on a job site. And while a few people can be disrespectful occasionally, for the most part it’s a wonderful job, and people respect her and her skillset.
FeedbackNo8518 from Reddit states that she worked in trades during her entire life. She worked in road construction, metal fabrication, and also carpentry, and roofing. She likes the versatility of working in the trades, along with the opportunity to learn.
Why are more and more women working in the trades?
One of the primary reasons behind that is the generational shift. People have a different attitude when compared to 20-30 years ago. They are more open to the idea of having women in the trades, especially if they have a very good skill set. On top of that, trade schools encourage women to join their classes. So not only are there more employers excited to hire women, but there are plenty of educational opportunities for them as well. Those things combined, along with a lucrative income, have become extremely appealing for women as they start working in the trades.
Why should women consider a skilled trades job?
Working in the trades is a great idea for anyone these days, regardless of their gender. Granted, decades ago, there was a significant bias towards men working in the trades. However, these days, skilled trades jobs are not only well-paid, but they also offer great opportunities for women. Also, women can make a solid career from this, especially since there are amazing benefits:
- It’s possible to learn on the job. As we know, jobs in the trades tend to bring unique challenges every time. Thankfully, it’s one of those places where you always learn on the job, and it’s quite interesting as well. You get a constant feeling that you’re doing something right and you’re improving all the time, which is not something you get to have anywhere else.
- Working in the trades can give you a great opportunity to establish your own business or be your own boss. That’s what a lot of women are looking for, and it’s a great career path as well.
- There’s a very high demand when it comes to skilled trades. It gives you a steady income and great job security that would be difficult to achieve otherwise. Not only that but once you show your craft and skills by helping clients, they will recommend you to others. It’s one of those business types where you can have consistent income just via recommendations.
- You can get training very quickly; there are many classes, both online and offline. Granted, you still need hands-on experience, but it’s not a job as challenging as others. Trade school is also inexpensive and faster to finish when compared to other schools.
- It’s one of the few jobs that don’t get outsourced overseas. You’ll see a lot of jobs being outsourced because people want a cheaper option. That’s not the case here.
- You should also note that avoiding debt is a major benefit if you enter trade school. Let’s face it: college education is not cheap, and most of the time, it brings thousands upon thousands of dollars in debt. With trade school, you get to knowledge you need while avoiding debt. And you can start working right away. It’s a much better way to safeguard your financial future while staying away from debt that would follow you for decades.
Is trade school a better alternative to college education?
It always depends on the type of education and career path you want. If you want more hands-on experience and you’re looking to help people with your skills, trade school is extremely helpful. As we mentioned earlier, a college education will bring lots of debt, and that can be very difficult to deal with. Another problem is that today’s employers offer no guarantee. There’s little to no job security, and that can be scary especially if you already have lots of debt.
Jobs in the trades offer great job security and you will also get to learn a lot of new things on the job. On top of that, you have direct, marketable skills that you can use in the long run. That’s extremely helpful, especially if you want to avoid debt. Plus, these jobs will always be relevant. They are not trendy jobs that might lose their value and importance in a year or two. It’s quite the opposite; these jobs are always sought-after, and there’s a large market of clients ready to hire you!
We also have to keep in mind that cultural attitudes are changing when it comes to education. Older generations were always focused on going to college and accessing a great career path that way. Gen Z and newer generations are focusing more on trade schools. They also want alternative career paths rather than a predefined, debt-filled career that might not even be successful in the long term.
Are jobs in the trades safer?
You want to narrow down the career path that fits your skill set, and in a lot of cases, working in the trades can be the better option. A lot of women are looking for a job that offers security and that they know won’t leave them without income on the spot. Thankfully, the demand for trade jobs is very large, and it continues to grow every year.
On top of that, you get to do the thing you like. While many consider trade jobs to be the land of men, the truth is that there are lots of female welders, plumbers, electricians, and so on. Not only that, but they are very skilled and sometimes even better than their male counterparts. It’s also a very well-paid job as well. In fact, some women in the trades make upwards of $100000 a year.
It’s also possible to start freelance, make a name for yourself and then establish your own business. The opportunity to work however you want, make changes to your workflow, and expand upon that is extremely helpful. There’s also the fact that if you do something you like, it doesn’t even feel like working. Now, you can see why many skilled women choose these jobs because they are fulfilling, well-paid, and offer great opportunities for growth.
Leave trade careers to the men? We don’t think so.
There will always be the stereotype that jobs in the trades are solely for men. However, fewer and fewer people believe in that stereotype anymore, and that allows plenty of women to find a job in the trades. It’s an exciting opportunity for women to show their skillset, perfect their craft and assist clients. These trades jobs are not only well-paid, but they can provide an exceptional, secure career path that not all women have these days, especially in the office or business world!