Tricks of the Trade: Championing the Need for Skilled Professionals

By 2030, 60% of new jobs, many of which are attached to six-figure salaries, will be held by skilled non-degreed professionals. Despite the availability of jobs, there aren’t enough tradespeople to fill the roles. Over the next few years, more than 3 million trade jobs will be available—with no one to step in.

The need for more trades professionals is driven by three trends: 1) an aging workforce, with many skilled tradespeople nearing retirement, 2) the increasing complexity of modern infrastructure and technology, and 3) the growing recognition of the value of skilled labor, which leads to greater investment in home and commercial improvements.?

While skilled tradesmen and women build our communities, service our homes and workplaces, and keep our infrastructure running, we need to do a better job of promoting just how important these jobs are so we can keep the workforce healthy. Not everyone is suited for a traditional four-year college education, and trade school can be the right path to earning a great income and job security. To help spread advocacy for trades work, I’ve outlined some of the reasons why these professionals are so valuable—and why trade school can be a great choice.

Skilled trades professionals keep our communities running

Trades professionals play a critical role in maintaining the essential systems we rely on every day, from plumbing to electrical work and HVAC services. Trade schools provide a direct path to mastering these vital skills and offer a rewarding career with strong job security. Advocating for this path is about recognizing the dignity of skilled work and ensuring that we continue to develop the talent needed to support our infrastructure and economy.?

We’re making strides—enrollment in vocational programs rose by 16% from 2022 to 2023—but we need to keep the momentum going. This advocacy starts at home when young people show an interest in a particular trade. My son chose to attend a trade school instead of college and is now an HVAC technician. He works full time with great benefits in a career he enjoys, and at 18 years old, he makes more money than his sisters earned in their first jobs after completing their degrees at a prestigious private university.?

Trade schools offer several advantages over a four-year college, including:

• Faster credentials, less cost: It takes less time to earn a certification or degree at a much lower cost, and graduates often enter the workforce with little to no debt.?
• Direct career path: Trade school offers a faster and more direct path to a high-demand career. Young professionals can quickly gain valuable experience right out of the gate and earn a competitive salary.?
• Job ready: The hands-on training provided by trade schools is tailored to the specific needs of the industry, ensuring that graduates are job-ready from day one. For students who never enjoyed classroom-style learning and prefer a hands-on educational experience, trade schools can fit their needs much better than four-year college curriculums.?

Not all kids are college bound and we need to do a better job of recognizing this reality. While high school counselors talk about college (university, junior college, or community college), they should also be providing students with information about other post-high school options, including trade school.?

Promoting the development of skilled trades professionals

Neighborly represents more than 5,500 franchises across 19 national professional services brands. A recent poll of our franchise owners at Neighborly showed a need for approximately 3,000 skilled electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians across our brands to fill current demand. Our franchise owners rely on skilled tradespeople to serve their customers, so we’re committed to championing their success.?

We show our advocacy by:

• Collaborations: We work with trade schools and vocational programs to provide scholarships and training opportunities.?
• Marketing and promotion: We actively promote the benefits of trade careers through our marketing efforts and community outreach programs.?
• Development programs: We also offer mentorship and development programs within our franchise network to help skilled trades professionals transition into business ownership, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to succeed.?
• Focus on Veterans: We’re developing programs for Veterans to transition into skilled trades positions with our brands after serving their active duty. One example is our partnership with Forge Now trade school, located in Dallas.?

Promoting trade school education over a traditional college education is an important step in helping to fill the demand for skilled workers. The need for trade work will continue to grow, and so will the opportunities for great jobs and competitive salaries.