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Exploring Skilled Trades for Veterans | Career Opportunities

7 Lucrative Skilled Trades for Veterans: Your Guide to Civilian Success

Posted on 11 October 2024. 6 mins read.


Introduction: Transitioning from Military to Civilian Careers




Leaving the military and entering the civilian workforce can be a daunting challenge for many veterans. You might be wondering, “What career path should I choose?” or “How can I best utilize my military experience?” The good news is that your service has equipped you with a unique set of skills that are highly valued in the skilled trades sector. From problem-solving abilities to leadership experience, veterans possess qualities that make them standout candidates in these in-demand professions.

The transition from military to civilian life is a significant step, but it’s also an opportunity to forge a new and rewarding career path. Many veterans find that the structured environment and hands-on nature of skilled trades align well with their military background. Moreover, the skills you’ve honed during your service—such as discipline, teamwork, and attention to detail—are highly prized in these industries.

Let’s explore seven skilled trades that offer promising opportunities for veterans like you:



1. Electrician: Powering Your Future in the Trades Industry

As an electrician, you’ll be responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial facilities, which can be an excellent opportunity for military members transitioning to civilian careers. This trade is an excellent fit for veterans who enjoy working with their hands and have a knack for troubleshooting. The electrical trade offers a perfect blend of technical knowledge and practical skills, making it an ideal choice for veterans looking to leverage their military experience.

Key Benefits: 

    • Median salary: $56,900 per year

    • Job outlook: 8% growth (faster than average)

    • Transferable skills: Attention to detail, safety consciousness, teamwork

Many veterans find that their military training in electronics and power systems translates well to the electrical trade. The structured nature of apprenticeship programs in this field also resonates with the military’s approach to training and skill development.



2. Welding: Forging a Strong Career Path with Your Military Skills

Welders are the backbone of many industries, from construction to manufacturing. This trade requires precision, patience, and the ability to work in various environments—all skills you’ve likely developed during your military service. Welding offers a hands-on career that can be both challenging and rewarding, perfect for veterans seeking a trade that values their technical abilities.

Key Benefits: 

    • Median salary: $44,190 per year

    • Job outlook: 3% growth (as fast as average)

    • Transferable skills: Hand-eye coordination, physical stamina, ability to follow detailed instructions

The welding industry often actively seeks out veterans, recognizing the value of their discipline and attention to detail. Programs like the UA Veterans in Piping (VIP) offer accelerated training and job placement assistance specifically for transitioning service members and military spouses.



3. HVAC Technician: A Cool Career Choice for Transitioning Veterans

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technicians install and maintain climate control systems in buildings. This trade is perfect for veterans who enjoy problem-solving and working with complex systems. The HVAC field offers a blend of mechanical and electrical work, making it an excellent fit for veterans with diverse technical backgrounds.

Key Benefits: 

    • Median salary: $50,590 per year

    • Job outlook: 5% growth (faster than average)

    • Transferable skills: Technical aptitude, adaptability, customer service

Many veterans find that their experience with military HVAC systems gives them a head start in this field. The ability to work under pressure and in varying conditions—skills honed in military service—are highly valued in the HVAC industry.



4. Plumbing: Tap into a Rewarding Trade Career

Plumbers install and repair piping systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. This trade offers a great opportunity for veterans who are detail-oriented and enjoy working in diverse environments. Plumbing is a trade that’s always in demand, offering job security and the potential for entrepreneurship for veterans who have learned a trade.

Key Benefits: 

    • Median salary: $56,330 per year

    • Job outlook: 5% growth (faster than average)

    • Transferable skills: Problem-solving, physical fitness, ability to work under pressure

Veterans often excel in plumbing due to their experience with logistics and supply systems in the military, making them ideal candidates for skilled trade careers. The discipline and precision required in plumbing work align well with military training.



5. Carpentry: Building a Solid Future with Your Military Experience

Carpenters construct, install, and repair structures made of wood and other materials, skills learned in the military are often beneficial in this trade. This trade is ideal for veterans who have experience with construction or enjoy creating tangible results from their work, especially when attending a trade program. Carpentry offers a satisfying blend of physical work and creative problem-solving, making it a popular choice among veterans getting out of the military.

Key Benefits: 

    • Median salary: $49,520 per year

    • Job outlook: 2% growth (slower than average, but still in demand)

    • Transferable skills: Attention to detail, physical dexterity, teamwork

Many veterans find that their experience with military construction projects translates well to civilian carpentry. The ability to read blueprints and work as part of a team are valuable skills in this trade.



6. Automotive Technology: Drive Your Career Forward with Technical Training

Automotive technicians diagnose, maintain, and repair vehicles, a skilled trade career that many military veterans can pursue. This trade is perfect for veterans who have experience working with military vehicles or have a passion for cars and engines. The automotive industry is constantly evolving, offering opportunities for continuous learning and specialization in careers in the skilled trades.

Key Benefits: 

    • Median salary: $44,050 per year

    • Job outlook: 4% growth (as fast as average)

    • Transferable skills: Mechanical aptitude, diagnostic skills, ability to learn new technologies

Veterans with experience in military vehicle maintenance often find a natural transition to civilian automotive work. The structured approach to diagnostics and repair in the automotive industry aligns well with military training methods.



7. Cybersecurity: Defending the Digital Front in Civilian Life

While not a traditional skilled trade, cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field that often requires hands-on technical skills. Many veterans, especially those with experience in military intelligence or communications, find this career path particularly rewarding. Cybersecurity offers a way for veterans to continue serving and protecting, but in the digital realm, which is increasingly important in the U.S. today.

Key Benefits: 

    • Median salary: $103,590 per year (for information security analysts)

    • Job outlook: 31% growth (much faster than average)

    • Transferable skills: Attention to detail, ability to work under pressure, analytical thinking

The cybersecurity field values the security clearances and specialized training that many veterans possess. This career path allows veterans to apply their military discipline and strategic thinking to civilian information protection.


Key Takeaways for Veterans Considering Skilled Trades
 

  1. Skilled trades offer high-paying, secure career paths for military veterans transitioning to civilian life, with many employers eager to hire veterans.

  2. Your military experience provides valuable transferable skills that are highly sought after in these professions.

  3. Training programs for skilled trades are often shorter and more affordable than traditional four-year degrees, making them an attractive option for veterans getting out of the military.

  4. Many financial assistance options, including GI Bill benefits, are available specifically for veterans pursuing careers in skilled trades.

  5. Skilled trades provide ample opportunities for career growth and advancement, including the potential for entrepreneurship.

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Conclusion: Your Next Mission in the Civilian Workforce

As you transition from military to civilian life, consider the exciting opportunities that await you in the skilled trades sector. These professions not only offer competitive salaries and job security but also allow you to leverage the valuable skills and experiences you gained during your service. Whether you’re drawn to the precision of electrical work, the creativity of carpentry, or the problem-solving nature of HVAC, there’s a skilled trade that can help you build a rewarding second career.

Remember, your military background gives you a unique edge in veteran employment in these fields. Employers in the trades industry value the discipline, teamwork, and technical aptitude that veterans don’t always realize they possess. By choosing a skilled trade, you’re not just starting a new job—you’re embarking on a fulfilling career path that recognizes and builds upon your military experience.

The transition from military service to civilian life can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity for growth and new achievements. The skills you’ve honed in the military—leadership, adaptability, and commitment to excellence—are precisely what make veterans successful in careers in the skilled trades. Moreover, many vocational training programs and apprenticeship resources for veterans offer support specifically tailored to them, easing the transition and helping you make the most of your GI Bill benefits.

So, are you ready to take the next step in your civilian career? Explore these trades further, reach out to veteran support organizations, and consider enrolling in a training program. Your skills, combined with the right training, can lead to a successful and satisfying career in the civilian world. The future is bright, and your next mission awaits in the world of skilled trades!

Frequently Asked Questions on Skilled Trades for Veterans

The GI Bill can be used for a wide range of education and training programs, including trade schools and apprenticeships. To use your benefits, first ensure you’re eligible and then find a VA-approved program or degree programs that suit your needs. You can use the GI Bill Comparison Tool on the VA website to explore your options for tuition coverage while transitioning to a new career.

Yes, there are several programs designed specifically for veterans. For example, the Helmets to Hardhats program connects veterans with training and career opportunities in the construction industry. The UA Veterans in Piping (VIP) program offers training in welding and HVAC. Additionally, many trade unions have veteran-specific apprenticeship programs.

Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. For veterans, many apprenticeship programs offer credit for military experience, potentially shortening the apprenticeship period. You can often use your GI Bill benefits to supplement your income while apprenticing in vocational schools.

Several programs are available to help veterans, including those specifically designed for veterans with disabilities, find jobs in skilled trades.

  • The Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS)

  • State Veterans Affairs offices often have job placement services

  • Veterans Job Bank, a tool on the VA website, is a crucial resource for veterans seeking employment.

  • Trade-specific job boards and veteran-focused job fairs are excellent resources for military members and military spouses seeking employment in skilled trades.

Start by reviewing your military occupational specialty (MOS) and identifying transferable skills. Many military skills—like attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving—are highly valued in trades. The Military Skills Translator tool on the VA website can help military veterans match their military skills to civilian careers.

Training duration for attending a trade program varies by trade and program, but typically ranges from 6 months to 2 years, especially in vocational training programs. Many programs offer accelerated options for veterans.

Yes! Many resources for veterans are available to support their career transitions. The GI Bill can often be used for trade school or apprenticeship programs. Additionally, many trade unions and organizations offer scholarships specifically for veterans.

In many cases, yes, veterans may find that vocational schools provide a more direct path to employment. The United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) allows active duty service members to earn civilian apprenticeship credentials, which can give military veterans a head start in their chosen trade.

Absolutely! Many skilled tradespeople go on to become supervisors, project managers, or even start their own businesses.

Skilled trades often offer excellent job security due to high demand, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that these jobs typically can’t be outsourced or automated.

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