What are some great trade job career options?

I'm considering going into a trade instead of college and I want to explore my options. What are some promising careers in the trade industry these days? Any advice or recommendations would be super helpful.

Absolutely, exploring all possible career paths is a smart idea before making your final decision. In terms of the trades, there are quite a few fields that have strong potential job prospects and earning potential. Here are some options:

1. Electricians: Electrical work is always in demand. As an electrician, you could work in a variety of settings from residential to industrial, and it offers a high earning potential, especially as a master electrician.

2. HVAC Technicians: HVAC (heating, ventilation, and cooling) technicians are also perpetually in demand. The work is very important to home and businesses comfort and energy efficiency, and there's plenty of room for advancement.

3. Plumbers: Like electricians and HVAC technicians, plumbers are needed everywhere. With additional training and licensure, you could even specialize in working on natural gas lines.

4. Welders: Welding is an essential part of construction and manufacturing, with various specialties within the field. Welding also opens up the opportunity to work in exciting industries, such as race car fabrication or aerospace.

5. Construction managers: If you have a knack for management and organization, you could work up to a construction manager position, overseeing projects and teams.

6. Elevator mechanics: If you're okay with heights, this is a specialized trade where there's often a shortage of qualified workers resulting in a higher earning potential. Elevator mechanics not only install new systems but maintain and repair existing elevators.

7. Wind turbine technicians: As green energy becomes more prevalent, jobs in this industry are quite promising. As a wind turbine technician, you would install, repair, and perform maintenance on wind turbines.

8. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installers: Also with the boom of green energy, solar PV installers are becoming more crucial in building the infrastructures for alternative energy sources. They assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into electricity.

Remember with pursuing a trade, you'll still require training even though it's not a traditional college path. In many instances, these jobs require you to complete an apprenticeship. This is usually a paid position where you get on-the-job training from an experienced tradesperson along with classroom learning.

Keep considering your options and researching what sort of trade suits your interests and skills. If possible, try to shadow professionals in the field you're interested in to get a real-life perspective of the work. Good luck!