There's a growing need for more trained workers in trades.
Some industries including welding, manufacturing and construction, just to name a few, are expected to go on a hiring overhaul to fill wanted positions.
A study from McKinsey and Company says annual hiring in trades will be 20 times more than the projected increase in net new jobs. More skilled workers are being looked for to fill positions such as carpenters, electricians and plumbers too.
Longtime career counselor and author of "Careers for Dummies" Marty Nemko said today's hiring climate has shifted into more employers considering sex and or race more over someone's experience.
"There is a tremendous priority of getting women and minorities in the trades," he said. "There is an enormous change for how people are selected now."
That selection process often relates to schools too and not just employment.
"Merit used to be the dominant factor, now demographics can sometimes trump merit," said Nemko.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the search for talen in trades has ramped up ever since covid and the increase in labor scarcity. Average wages in the sector have gone up more than 20% since the first quarter of 2020.
Nemko added that too much of the country, especially the younger generations of people who recently graduated from higher-level education, are more worried themselves about their work status and the experience and training they take on.
"America is a status oriented people," Nemko said. "Somehow if you're working with your hands, you're a second-class citizen, there's no prestige and that's foolish. Prestige is a fool's game."
Nemko encouraged people to find something they enjoy doing that pays well and a mentor to teach them the ins and outs of that industry along the way.