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Choosing a career is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions people make during the course of their life.
In the United States, there are currently less-skilled workers than there are skilled jobs, making vocational school graduates hugely employable in the current climate.
In years gone by, some states allowed students to head down the trade school route rather than college if they intended to embark on a ‘non-academic’ career path.
However, the stigmatization of trade jobs led to fewer people seeing them as a viable career option and has caused a major skills shortage in the US.
That situation is now being addressed, with an increasing number of establishments offering online vocational education programs.
These offer a path into varied skilled trades such as construction, electronics, and healthcare professions, all of which have a plethora of job opportunities available.
One of the best aspects of undertaking a vocational school course is your outlay on fees is completely justified by the potential rewarding salary your new qualification would afford you.
Organizations should as Central Texas College, Albany Technical College, Southwestern Oregon Community College and Columbus State Community College currently offer a great range of affordable online courses across a wide range of subjects.
Most programs feature a mix of distance learning, campus-based teaching and on-the-job internships that give you the skills you will need to be a big success in your chosen field.
Read on as we look at some of the best vocational careers you could consider to keep you in gainful employment for the next decade and beyond.
Energy Management
If you’re looking for a career in a massively thriving sector, the energy industry offers a variety of well-paid secure job roles.
For instance, studying to become an energy manager or energy auditor opens the door to positions within a variety of different organizations.
Environmental agencies and utility companies are two great examples of this, with each using the services of energy managers during the course of their operations.
The role generally requires you to visit sites and conduct inspections on appliances, wiring and more to ensure that everything is in full working order.
Producing reports that advise clients about their energy efficiency and certifying sustainable buildings are other elements that fall under the remit of an energy manager.
With many jobs of this type paying more than $100,000 per annum, energy management is one of the highest paying vocational careers you can choose.
Electronic Engineering
In an age where technology dominates many sectors, the electronics industry has loads of different vocational jobs for people to choose from.
Qualifying as an electronics engineer will give you the skills to work in the design and development of a wide range of electronic equipment.
Broadcasters, communications companies, and government agencies are amongst the popular areas that require skilled electronics engineers.
The roles may require you to test and maintain equipment, or conduct investigations before coming up with recommendations to modify designs.
You could learn how to build circuit boards and repair hardware components, once again providing easy routes into different sectors of industry.
With technology still developing at a rapid rate, studying to be an electronics engineer could prove to be a hugely lucrative career decision.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a sector that covers a wide range of areas of industry, offering people numerous different types of careers.
It is a sector that provides plenty of scope for progression, with the very best people often progressing into roles that pay six-figure salaries annually.
Civil engineers oversee the design and build of major projects such as bridges, airports, and motorways, highlighting the importance of the role within communities.
A good route into civil engineering is to train as a technician, a position that offers hands-on involvement in the planning and design process.
You would learn how to develop project plans, estimate costs and contribute to the smooth running of the jobs your employer takes on.
Civil engineering provides people with careers that are tremendously rewarding, as the projects you undertake have a positive impact on the regions you are tasked to work within.
Solar Energy Technology
The solar energy market was valued at $52.5 billion in 2018 and experts have predicted that it will more than quadruple in size by 2026.
A great way to join the industry is as a solar technician, giving you the opportunity to work in a variety of different sectors.
Many construction companies now employ solar technicians in order to handle the increasing demand for solar power to be included in new build projects.
You would be responsible for the installation of solar panels on buildings, ensuring that they are fully compliant with local regulations.
Solar technicians are also tasked with diagnosing problems and carrying out any repairs to ensure that the panels remain cost-effective throughout their lifespan.
Solar technicians are also tasked with diagnosing problems and carrying out any repairs to ensure that the panels remain cost-effective throughout their lifespan.
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This content is sponsored by Michael Black.
Photo: Shutterstock