We need to attract more workers to a career in the trades. With the current aging workforce, we are on the precipice of not having enough jobs filled. Looking to the younger generation is one way to solve our current dilemma. But to do this, the stigma that surrounds the trades needs to be eliminated.
“Unfortunately, there is still that stigma. In order to break it, I think it’s about communication and education,” says Julie Zulich, Co-CEO/president of TESC Contracting Group and committee chair of MCAC Women in Mechanical Construction. “Not everybody is built for academia and some would rather be working with their hands. I think promoting that in a positive light and getting rid of that public perception that construction is not a professional career is key.”
A career in the trades provides a challenging opportunity for those that love to work with their hands and stay on their toes.
Check out the first episode of Trades Talk – Attracting Youth to the Trades, and watch for more episodes as they’re released.