Underwater Welder
Lund says one of the biggest surprises in her research was the number of employers who said they were having difficulty finding highly skilled, blue collar workers. She speculates this is because in the push for every American to have a college degree, blue collar work is being overlooked as a viable career option. But not only is it viable — it’s lucrative. Lund cited one oil company that, because of a shortage in qualified workers, was offering $150,000 to welders to work on underwater pipelines. But since underwater welding might not be for everyone, here are other in-demand blue collar jobs that pay higher than average wages: building inspectors, electricians, elevator installers and repairers, manufacturing technicians and aircraft mechanics.
Next: Sustainability Professional
Sustainability Professional
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In today’s green-obsessed age, navigating the world of government regulations and environmental standards is a full-time job — literally. As companies aim to be more environmentally friendly, they are increasingly looking for employees who have a knowledge of carbon accounting, corporate social responsibility and lean manufacturing techniques. In fact, Adam Zak, an executive recruiter, told The New York Times in August that demand for workers with sustainability-related job skills is “through the roof.” He estimates a 40% increase in the number of companies looking for sustainability professionals just in the past year. One such company is Coca-Cola, which appointed a new Chief Sustainability Officer in May and created an office of sustainability that, according to the Wall Street Journal, will oversee the company’s recycling, water management and climate protection. Look for other companies to follow suit, as any large-scale institution that has a lot of facilities to maintain will need to be thinking even more about sustainability in the future.
Next: The Most In-Demand Jobs of 2020
