1 of 7

Write now Article Tools

I would like to address the issue of trade labor in the United States. I am a Union Electrician. Not a glamorous job by any means but a career that is losing qualified individuals to perform the work. It the past ten years that I have been working in the trade, I have seen the decline of qualified people. It concerns me that many of our youth are only encouraged to go to college when there are many other facets of career choices. I am not implying that those who choose college are not needed but those who built the buildings those individuals are working in are in ever increasing short supply.

Working in the construction trades can be dirty work, no doubt, but it takes more than brawn to erect a house, shopping center or skyscraper. It requires knowledge, skill and training. I, and many other like me, have had to go to school to learn how to perform our jobs correctly, efficiently, and in a craftsman-like manner. The days of the stereotypical wolf-whistling ditch digger are behind us. Now is a time when we need to encourage more youth to consider going into the construction trades. While the earnings to living standards are still out of whack for the Blue Collar, one can make a nice living and even become a top competitor in one's field. Our youth are encouraged to go to university and in many cases the careers they choose are being outsourced. I am happy to say that my career as an electrician cannot be outsourced for the simple fact that it is needed in this ever changing technological world. The introduction of the trades to our youth should start at home. Whether you are a parent who is a doctor, lawyer, or other type of white collar professional it is imperative that you allow choices of trade work to be considered So that this and the next generation have the information broad enough so they can consider a career in the trades.

It does take know-how to be an electrician and math up to trigonometry is a huge plus. There are formulas to understand and a Code to follow that reads like a law book. The same goes for other trades- plumbers, framers, steel workers, pipe fitters, masons, etc. All of these trades, even those not mentioned here specifically, are losing in manpower. You cannot take a person off the street and expect them to install commercial and industrial electrical systems or fit and weld stainless steel pipe. It takes schooling or years of field training to earn the knowledge to gain certification necessary

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Trade labor: It's a dirty job and not many left to do it!?
We want to hear your view. Write now!