President Trump’s programs and policies (lowering taxes and relaxing regulations) have reinvigorated the U.S. economy. Lower taxes have allowed businesses to invest more money and hire more workers. Unemployment is reaching all-time lows, and there are now more jobs than people to fill them.
A Stronger Economy Needs More Workers
The trucking industry feels the lack of blue-collar workers. Staffing levels in the sector are down to alarming levels, particularly for truck drivers. The growth in the manufacturing industry has increased the need for drivers from companies such as Centerline Drivers to handle transport logistics. In the next ten years, the trucking industry will need to hire an additional one million drivers to keep up with growing demands. In construction, companies are competing for a shrinking pool of skilled workers. Wages have risen to record highs and will continue to go up as contractors struggle to fill their rosters. The majority of states have ongoing construction projects, and just between 2017 and 1028, 300,000 new construction jobs were created to meet their demands. With lower taxes and fewer regulations, thousands of new businesses are opening and previously established ones are expanding their operations, fueling the need for more personnel.
Too Many College Graduates
In 2008, 30 percent of all college graduates were underemployed. Today, 43 percent of all college graduates are underemployed. Graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are still in demand, but degrees in liberal arts are often not helpful in finding related jobs. Of the 43 percent underemployed graduates, 15 percent will remain underemployed for the next five years and 50 percent will stay underemployed for the next ten years. Most college graduates are forced to take jobs that don’t align with their degrees to pay for massive student loans, and some of these graduates will spend their careers in an unrelated field. Higher education is now more available to more people, but this has led to more graduates in fields that are congested and unproductive in the U.S. labor environment.
Blue-Collar Careers
College degrees don’t automatically guarantee a good career. A blue-collar job provides you with excellent opportunities without saddling you with hefty student loans. Careers in manufacturing, construction, and transportation are providing wages comparable to those of software engineers. The growing economy and tight labor market ensure that blue-collar jobs will stay in demand and that payments will steadily go up. Unlike college-related work, there is actually a shortage of skilled workers, and companies are competing to hire personnel to meet the demands of various industries. Blue-collar jobs require less training, and you can immediately start working with less than a year of vocational school or on-the-job training. You’ll be earning money sooner, and you can start saving for your future without being shackled by student debt.
Overall, the U.S. economy is growing, and it needs more blue-collar workers. A blue-collar career might not be as prestigious as an office job, but the right ones can guarantee quick employment and high wages.
