Are you looking for a new industry to start your career? Many industries desperately need more skilled laborers. With the right skills, a worker can earn a generous salary and carve a promising career path.
We’ll break down some industries that could face labor shortages now and in the future and the type of jobs they need to fill.
Healthcare
One of the industries hit the hardest by personnel shortages is the medical and healthcare industry. Labor shortages were already a problem before COVID-19, and the pandemic has only exacerbated the industry’s problems.
Experts predict there will be a shortage of hundreds of thousands of nurses and other medical professionals in the next decade. As demand for these sought-after positions increase, salaries and wages will also increase to attract as many applications and workers as possible.
Skilled Trades
The skilled trades ensure that the houses we live in, cars we drive, and bridges we cross are secure, high-quality, and safe. But there’s been a slow decline in young workers interested in the skilled trades for years. Professions that are struggling to fill positions with qualified individuals include:
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Machinists
- Mechanics
- Welders
- Plumbers
If you’re thinking of entering a profession with plenty of open positions, you might want to consider a trade school and skilled trade instead of a four-year university.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing was one of the most common professions in America, as many Americans worked in manufacturing plants and factories for decades. But things have changed dramatically over the past couple of decades, and now many manufacturing companies are struggling to stay open because they can’t find enough workers to fill positions.
Some employers have reported having to keep positions open for weeks or months because they can’t find a qualified individual to fill the role.
Oil & Gas
The energy sector of oil, gas, and mining are critical to the daily function of our society, but all three areas are industries that need more skilled laborers for their future to prosper. There are many reasons for the shortage—some of the work is dangerous and dirty, requiring oil and gas workers to wear protective equipment like fire-resistant clothing.
The work is also becoming more specialized and requires more technical training and skills, but the demand is such that it can be a lucrative career for many workers.
Construction
Over the last few decades, more young people have chosen four-year colleges and white-collar jobs over skilled trades like construction. Despite the housing market, there’s still a significant demand for laborers.
Industry experts worry that if the housing market were to dip and supply exceed demand, there could be a considerable shrinkage in the construction industry workforce.
