What's a critical trade job and why are they important?

I've heard the term 'critical trade job' tossed around, especially in discussions about essential work. What exactly qualifies a trade job as 'critical' and what makes them important in today's economy?

A critical trade job refers to a profession in the skilled trades that is essential to the infrastructure and function of society. These are roles that are crucial for maintaining quality of life, safety, and overall order in our communities. They often involve manual labor and technical skills, and they're crucial in industries such as construction, energy, healthcare, telecommunications, and transportation.

In practical terms, this means electricians, plumbers, welders, construction workers, HVAC technicians, and many healthcare roles (like nurses and paramedics) that we rely on every day to keep our society running smoothly. If power lines go down in a storm, for example, it's the electricians who restore our electricity. If a water main bursts, we count on plumbers to fix the issue and restore our access to clean water.

One of the reasons these roles are so important to today's economy is that they cannot be outsourced or automated as easily as some other jobs; they require on-site expertise and direct human intervention. This means that these roles are usually in high demand and can provide strong job security.

Moreover, critical trade jobs help to ensure that our infrastructure keeps up with the needs of a growing population. Whether it's building new homes, maintaining power grids, or ensuring access to quality healthcare, these roles play a critical part in helping society to function and thrive.

It's also worth noting that trade jobs often require less formal education than some other roles. Many of these roles can be entered with a high school diploma, vocational training, and/or an apprenticeship, making them a potentially more accessible and less costly career pathway for many people. In a time when student debt is a significant concern, this accessibility is increasingly important.

In summary, critical trade jobs are integral to the essential operations of our society, making them vital to our economy both directly and indirectly. They offer promising opportunities for secure and meaningful employment to a broad range of people, meaning they're likely to remain crucial for the foreseeable future.