At JobFLEX we are all about making life easier for hard working contractors. On our blog we spend a lot of time sharing information about our customers’ various industries and tips on how to improve their businesses. Today’s post is a little different, we wanted to give folks who work blue collar jobs a voice to explain exactly why they love doing what they do. As we covered on our past post “Where Have You Gone, Skilled Trade Workers?” there is a major labor shortage in many trades and it’s hard to understand why when you hear from workers who have high paying, fulfilling careers like those we recently heard from.
In the past few years there seems to be a growing movement within the world of skilled trades to promote these types of jobs and also ensure that educators are giving young people the skills needed to succeed in these types of jobs. For those choosing not to attend college, promoting skilled trades as a practical alternative is also important. Many skilled trade jobs have aging work forces, meaning that millions of jobs will be available in the coming years. Future employees will need to know how to get these jobs, where they can find them, and also understand the impact they have on the nation.
We have a labor shortage in skilled trades, skyrocketing college education costs that don’t necessarily guarantee good wages and the ability for young people to enter the trades and blue collar workforce with the potential to make $70,000 to $100,000/year. It’s important that we continue to promote our blue collar workers and let young people know what options exist in the skilled trades.
I do furniture upholstery. I have been doing it for about 12 years now. What I love about what I do is that I have a skill that not many others have. The competition for quality upholsterers is very low. It is a trade that not many young people are going into. Most upholsterers that I know are much older. In a few years, there will be an even greater opportunity for a younger generation to make a great living doing this fun, creative work. The same goes for other similar hands on skilled trades and small businesses.
I think a big misconception about the upholstery trade is that many people think that you have to work in a factory to be an upholsterer. This is only true for larger brands of new furniture. I have worked for myself for a few years now. Previously I co-owned a larger custom furniture design company. Now I travel some doing mostly large jobs like wall upholstery, restaurant seating, or hospital/ commercial type of work. The opportunities are almost endless once you know the skill. My advice for a young person looking to learn a skill such as upholstery would be to find someone who is really good at it and ask them if they need help. Good help is hard to come by these days. If the young person is willing to work hard and be intentional about their time while learning the skill then they will pick it up pretty fast. They should plan on working under someone for a few years. Do not be in a rush to go out on your own. Working with someone will let them learn from the mistakes and the experience of their employer.
Patrick Aniol
Friendly Windows
I am a 20 year old that installs replacement windows in the Chicago area. I started working one year ago in this field hating it, but now I love it. Blue collar jobs teach a certain level of discipline for the mind. If I have a really hard and long day at work, I laugh at all the small problems I face at home.
The best part of this job is the reward of satisfaction – satisfaction of doing such a great job that the customers keep complementing me for the hard work. If I cannot be satisfied with what I have done (by my own standards), then I cannot be respected by myself, the customer and my boss.
The best advice I have for someone young is to try a few blue collar jobs. You may not like them at first, but it’s possible it may grow on you. With each job you’ll become mentally stronger and finding yourself will become easier.
Crystal Shepherd
911 Restoration
The best part of the job is that you see results immediately. The scenery is always different. You’re not stuck in an office all day. You have the opportunity to meet new people every day and make an impact or change their life for the better. The homeowner is usually upset or distraught when we arrive and we get to comfort them and give them back peace of mind as we restore their homes for them.
The most common misconception about my job is that people think because I’m a woman I can’t do the same job our guys do and I’d like to think as a woman I’m actually more thorough as far as clean up after demo and being personable with the customer.
This job definitely is not for everyone. You must be passionate and dedicated about what you do. The hours are long and the work is hard, but it is extremely rewarding!
What are the favorite parts of your job?
Now we want to hear from you in the comments below, what do you do and what do you love most about it?
