High demand for trade jobs

High schools and technical colleges may be vital to help ease the demand for industrial jobs.

Ann Bolman, President of Western Dakota Tech, agrees with a recent study from the company EMSI, which says: skilled trades now show some of the highest potential among job categories.

“I think that the demand for a skilled workforce really has to do with the fact that technology, there is such a mixture of skills needed for the jobs.” Said Bolman.

Some of the reasons to go to a technical school may surprise you. Students Melissa Horvath and Kelsey Pence talk about the differences between trade and tradition four-year schooling.

“There’s not as much pressure here. It doesn’t feel intense, as it does if you’re going for a four year degree somewhere.” Said Horvath.

“You actually get hands on training here and with the other schools you don’t get hands on training. Mostly, you just sit in a classroom.” Said Pence.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, people with career and technical educations are more likely to be employed than their counterparts with a four-year degree.

“Trade jobs will never go away because the people that are in the trade are people that keep our communities running. They are the people who keep the infrastructure running, the healthcare running.” Said Bolman.

Finn Sacrison a first-year at Western Dakota Tech feels that since he has been involved in other events in his life, he felt he needed a change. A change that had him deciding to go into trans-tech heavy.

“The opportunities coming out of trade school verses the debt required for a four-year education are better. The weight of the debt is much different in most fields” Said Sacrison.

There are many reasons as to why trade jobs are in high demand, here is one example.

“Because, a lot of, people that are in the trades are looking to retire. The numbers of jobs in the trades are expected to continue to expand twenty years down the road.” Said Bolman.

One of the jobs that are needed most is in the healthcare profession.

There are seventeen schools that offer tech programs in South Dakota.