In recent years, many Americans have been caught unawares by widespread job losses in various sectors. During the height of the pandemic, countless small businesses and hospitality workers found themselves out of work as people moved their jobs, classes, social lives, and shopping online. Recently, a looming recession and post-COVID tech slump led to endemic downsizing among major digital tech companies and online retailers. This included Amazon layoffs, Microsoft layoffs, Google layoffs, and more.

Understandably, all of this has many people wondering which industries will offer long-term job security. The answer may surprise you: careers in skilled trades offer not only job stability, but are part of industries that are growing steadily. Even better, you can get training to enter many of them without a four-year college degree. Here are some examples of trade job sectors that can weather virtually any economic storm.

Skilled Trade Jobs With Excellent Job Security

Job security is often tied to industry stability and growth as projected for the foreseeable future, not just growth that occurs in reaction to a temporary phenomenon (like the pandemic). The skilled trades job outlook is strong, and has been for many years. Here are some of the skilled trade careers expected to grow quickly (as fast as or faster than other industries) until at least 2030:

  • Culinary arts workers. Culinary arts jobs include many different kinds of cooks, bakers, caterers, and food purchasers. These professionals may work not only in restaurants and bakeries, but hotels, hospitals, private homes, schools, college cafeterias, and more. Executive chef jobs offer the most pay and growth, but the predicted growth rate is also comparable for line cooks (26%, far above other industry averages). You can start with an entry-level culinary job and move up the ranks.
  • Medical assistants. Medical assistants do highly meaningful work in support of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, and the nature of the job can vary depending on the facility type and size. Medical assistants can take on a number of different responsibilities and do a mixture of administrative and medical work, so you’ll never be bored. Better yet, job growth for these roles is at an impressive 18%.
  • Electricians replace, install, maintain, and perform repairs on almost anything that draws power from electrical wiring, including communications and security systems. Although this career requires a license, you can get training to qualify for one through a school program, apprenticeship, or career training center. Professionals in this field will enjoy a healthy 9% job growth rate (which is above average compared to non-skilled-trade sectors). 
  • IT and desktop support technicians. IT support technicians analyze, troubleshoot, and evaluate various technology issues. This involves working with various technology types and systems. Desktop support technicians work more specifically with desktop computers, doing installation, modifications, cleaning, and repair for all parts of computers. Both roles make good salaries and have a growth rate of about 6%, which is at least as fast-growing as non-skilled trade jobs.
  • Ironworkers install structural and reinforcement sections of iron and steel to build and provide support to buildings, bridges, train and light rail tracks, and roads. This is a great career if you enjoy a bit of a thrill, as ironworkers frequently work at heights. Roles in this field pay well, and job growth remains steady at 4%, which is comparable to growth rates in non-skilled trade jobs.

Get FREE Hands-On Training in Skilled Trades With JobTrain

You can get the training you need to qualify for many rewarding careers in skilled trades. If you live near Silicon Valley in northern California, you can visit one of JobTrain’s four affiliated centers to get free hands-on career training.

JobTrain is an accredited educational and training institution that transforms lives and communities in Silicon Valley. We help the Valley’s most in need reclaim their lives from poverty and unemployment by preparing them for successful, sustainable careers in high-demand and emerging fields. Check out our career training pathways to get started on the path to a high-quality job in a field that excites you.