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Money doesn’t buy happiness.
But a lack of money can sure cause a lot of extra stress and problems.
Reaching a stable financial situation is a priority for most people. But while it is a major goal, few are achieving it: Only 35 percent of employees in the U.S. feel satisfied with their financial situation.
Salaries that are too low and debt that’s too high are not compatible for a stress-free life.
The financial problems only seem to get worse for younger employees. Convinced they need a bachelor’s or master’s degree to have any shot at success, many young people pay high tuition rates and end up graduating with an average student debt of $35,000. Often, they struggle to find entry-level jobs, which provide wages that aren’t nearly high enough to get them out of debt anytime soon.
Too many people are getting stuck in holes that they can’t climb out of. Luckily, there is an alternative to this high-debt and low-salary road: a career in the construction industry.
The construction industry offers real jobs, competitive salaries and a debt-free lifestyle. Here’s why becoming a craft professional brings financial freedom.
Higher education is valuable and important. Going to college or a university is a great choice for many people.
However, the system is currently in an unsustainable state of crisis.
As of 2018, student loan debt in the United States totaled a staggering $1.5 trillion. That means tuition costs and student loans are the second highest source of debt in the U.S., second only to mortgage debt.
As a society, we need to recognize the alternatives to the four-year degree path and the debt associated with it.
Studying at a community college or technical school is a great option for people to gain valuable skills without incurring inescapable debt.
The shorter length of time spent in these programs contributes to this. While it takes four years or more to earn a bachelor’s degree, a construction program at a technical school or community college can be completed in one to two years.
Lower costs are another contributing factor. Annual tuition costs can be thousands of dollars cheaper than a four-year college or university.
Another educational alternative to a four-year college or university is apprenticeship.
Many organizations offer apprentice programs that allow apprentices to work and earn wages while gaining valuable knowledge and skills from more experienced professionals.
These organizations can pay the part – or even the whole – costs associated with the apprentice’s education, meaning they’re literally getting paid to learn!
The “Earn While You Learn” model of education not only gives apprentices the training they need without incurring high debt, but they are making valuable connections within the industry through their mentors.
Whatever route of education an aspiring craft professional takes, know that they will have no issues finding work once they’ve completed their training.
Craft professionals are among the most in-demand types of employees in the U.S. and worldwide. By 2022, there will be 1.4 million construction jobs that need filling.
Construction companies across the country are eager for reliable, skilled craft professionals. New entrants to the workforce will be scooped up almost immediately.
As the principles of supply and demand would dictate, the massive shortage of construction professionals means the professionals that do exist reap some great benefits.
With so much competition between companies for skilled craft professionals, salaries and benefits for most positions shoot up.
And when you consider that craft professionals are entering the workforce around two years earlier than college grads, and they start with much less debt, they have a head start to a comfortable life.
Debt-free. Well-paid. Plenty of career advancement opportunities.
A career in construction leads to a happy, comfortable lifestyle.
A nice home. That sweet car. Minimal stress from bills and loans. The satisfaction of knowing you make an impact on your community through the things you help create.
An expensive degree is not required to be successful in life.
Check out the steps aspiring craft professionals should take to get started today.
Want to get started on a construction career pathway that aligns with your interests? Check out CareerStarter! This FREE resource supports job seekers, employers and educators interested in making connections in the construction industry.
