Skilled trades a great post-service option for armed forces personnel

Rose Van Alstine, Ed.D.

Submitted photo/StrataTech

There is a strong overlap between military training, service jobs and trade work. Many veterans already have experience working with their hands, following safety protocols, operating specialty equipment and performing in a technical position. Beyond practical skills, veterans also bring in much needed ‘soft skills,’ like leadership, ability to work in a team, adaptability and strong work ethic.”

Education Solutions

Arizona’s workforce future at stake as report warns of need for educated workforce

Education

GCU partners with Chandler firm on expanded trades programs

Opinion

I served my country, but it’s leaving me high and dry

OPINION — For many U.S. military veterans, finding stable, well-paying civilian employment is a challenge. In a study produced by the Wounded Warrior Project, about one-third of veterans have difficulty finding full-time employment after their contract ends.

If they do gain employment, it’s in jobs below their skill level.

The skilled trades are a viable but often overlooked option for veterans to transition out of their enlistment. Especially with national labor shortages, skilled trades offer military members plentiful opportunities and secure employment that build upon skills many already have.

Labor shortages and high demand for skilled tradespeople

Welding, construction, manufacturing, HVAC and electrical industries are facing an aging workforce and a shrinking pipeline of talent, leaving thousands of essential roles unfilled.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, an estimated 2.1 million trade positions could go unfilled by 2030. This poses a huge threat to communities around the nation. Due to the gap in these critical roles, infrastructure and local businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

However, the skills gap is not just an economic challenge, but an opportunity for military members looking for employment. With their technical training, discipline and hands-on experience, veterans are uniquely positioned to meet the demand while finding a meaningful career.

Military experience translates naturally to trade careers

There is a strong overlap between military training, service jobs and trade work. Many veterans already have experience working with their hands, following safety protocols, operating specialty equipment and performing in a technical position.

Beyond practical skills, veterans also bring in much needed “soft skills,” like leadership, ability to work in a team, adaptability and strong work ethic. These qualities not only help veterans find employment in the skilled trades but advance quickly into supervisory or specialized roles within the industry. 

How veterans can get started in the trades

Any skilled trade schools recognize that service members are well-suited for careers in the trades and actively work to support their transition by offering enrollment assistance and educational funding.

Most programs range from six months to a year. Service members can quickly gain the skills they need and enter the workforce. To pay for these programs, many schools offer military scholarships, reduced tuition and accept the GI bill.

By utilizing scholarships and the GI Bill to cover tuition, fees and even supplies, veterans can gain valuable hands-on experience and certifications with little to no out-of-pocket cost.

Why choose a career in the trades post-service

With shorter program times, flexible schedules, well-paying jobs, aligned disciplines and an industry-wide demand, the trades are a great option for service members beginning their next chapter.

This is not just a beneficial career path for veterans, it’s a practical solution to one of the country’s most pressing workforce challenges, as well. At a time when the nation is facing a growing shortage of skilled tradespeople, veterans represent a uniquely qualified workforce ready to step in and make an impact.

For service members searching for their next mission, the trades may provide not only a career, but a sense of purpose and long-term stability.

For veterans interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, the first step is setting a strong foundation with education.

Rose Van Alstine, Ed.D. is a trade school administrator and U.S. Army veteran. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.