National Careers in Trades Week kicks off

April 6 kicks off National Careers in Trades Week.

What’s happening: A coalition of associations and unions — including the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) and the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) — is using the week to draw attention to the industries for the second annual time. 

• A January survey of 500 college and high school students, commissioned by SMACNA and shared in a news release, found that 75 percent of teens aged 13 to 18 would consider a trade job over going to college.
• Asked about their reasoning, 30 percent of respondents cited higher pay, good benefits, and paid apprenticeships, while 24 percent cited promotion opportunities. 

What they’re saying: “Skilled professions offer rewarding career opportunities for all people, including young adults, women, veterans, and anyone who is looking for a career change,” SMACNA CEO Frank Wall said in a statement. 

• “The wages and job security that trade careers offer provide a faster means to home ownership, upward mobility, and saving for retirement that other pathways don’t always ensure,” he added. 
• More on this week