Why We Need More Plumbers: The Importance of Skilled Trades
In today's world, we often find ourselves valuing white-collar jobs over blue-collar ones. However, it's essential to understand the critical role that skilled trades, particularly plumbing, play in our society. Plumbers are responsible for not only keeping the water flowing, but they also provide essential services like sewage system repairs, gas line installations, and water heater replacements. Their work ensures that we have access to reliable and safe water and that our homes and commercial buildings are functioning correctly. In this blog post, we'll explore why we need more plumbers and touch on the importance of skilled trades.
1. Demand: The demand for plumbers is high, and it's only set to increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment of plumbers will grow by 14% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. This is mainly due to the increasing demand for new construction, repairs, and replacements of water mains, pipes, and sewer systems.
2. Aging Workforce: Another reason we need more plumbers is because many people in the skilled trades industry are nearing retirement age. It's estimated that as many as 40% of skilled tradespeople, including plumbers, will retire in the next ten years. This leaves a massive gap in the workforce that needs to be filled. It's crucial that we train and educate a new generation of skilled tradespeople to take their place.
3. Competitive Wages and Job Security: Plumbers also enjoy competitive wages and job security. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $55,160 in May 2019. Additionally, the nature of their work provides job security because plumbing issues require a skilled tradesperson to fix them. Plumbing jobs can't be outsourced overseas, making it a stable career path.
4. Essential Services: As mentioned earlier, plumbers provide essential services that help keep our communities safe. Plumbing issues can cause health hazards like contaminated water or gas leaks, posing a danger to the public. Plumbers play a crucial role in ensuring that our homes and public establishments are safe to occupy, making their work a vital aspect of our daily lives.
5. Trade Education: To fill the gap left by retiring skilled tradespeople, we need to encourage more people to pursue careers in the skilled trades. This includes providing improved trade education programs in high schools, vocational schools, and community colleges. Developing apprenticeship programs that offer hands-on experience, paired with classroom instruction, can provide aspiring plumbers with the necessary skills.
Plumbers play a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient functioning of our homes and communities. As the demand for plumbing services continues to grow, we need to focus on developing and training a new generation of skilled tradespeople to take their place. Encouraging more students to pursue trade education programs can help us bridge the gap in the workforce and ensure the continued success of the plumbing industry. Therefore, it's essential to recognize the importance of skilled trades, including plumbing, and work towards promoting and supporting those careers. Let's appreciate the value of blue-collar workers and the significant contribution they make to our society.