According to the lastest U.S. Census Bureau data, in Columbus, 19.9% of people lived below the poverty line in 2018. Women in particular make up just over 21% of impoverished adults in Columbus, with adult women in the 18 to 34 age range seeing the largest discrepancy in the likelihood of living in poverty. That being said, a path to the middle class is ever-needed.
Three of the five careers highlighted here are in trade industries. And while trade tends to be a male-dominated field, Karen Vroman, Ohio program coordinator for Central Ohio Women in Trade, says that the wage gap becomes starker once you consider the potential earnings over a lifetime working in a female-dominated career versus male-dominated.
“For example, a woman working in construction as an electrician can earn $1.5 million more over a lifetime than women working as certified nursing assistants,” she says. Women covered by union contracts also benefit from better pay equality.
As a program coordinator, Vroman assists employers, registered apprenticeship sponsors and workforce development professionals in meeting their gender equity goals by providing technical assistance and resources.
She says that on top of access to tuition-free, on-the-job training, there are many other economic and professional development benefits to trade work.
“The trades provide skills that can be used over your lifetime while earning a living wage that can support [an] individual or family,” she says. “Over a career, [women] can realize on-going, career-spanning job training as well as promotional opportunities to supervisory roles, project oversight, project inspection and independent contracting.”
Central Ohio Women in Trade’s programming works to advance policy and system changes, create ambassadorship and mentorship opportunities and provide ongoing educational experiences for women. The organization also works with the City of Columbus’ Apprenticeship Council and Women’s Commission to support the marketing of apprenticeships and increase opportunities for women in construction, including Linden Community Benefits Agreement efforts.
Even though women are a small minority in the construction trades, especially Black and Asian women, their numbers are growing.
“Women are smart, capable and strong,” said Vroman. “You can do it! That is what I would advise a woman interested in entering the skilled trades.”
Based on data from a recently released interactive tool, featuring the state’s top in-demand jobs based on wage, growth and job openings, these are the fasting growing middle-income careers to consider in 2020:
Billing and Posting Clerks
Billing and posting clerks are a kind of financial clerk that is responsible for reviewing documents like purchase orders, sales tickets and hospital records to calculate fees or charges due to customers. They calculate charges, draft bills and prepare them for delivery.
The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, and clerks will learn duties through on-the-job training.
There are over 5,000 billing and posting clerks employed in Central Ohio, with anticipated available positions at over 600. This role is projected to grow in employment by 92 positions annually.
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are responsible for transporting goods from one location to another, intercity and sometimes over several state lines. They often drive long distances and use route navigation software or satellite tracking to help plan their own routes. They are legally required to take rest periods, usually given a specific location and time to deliver goods, and will often record their working hours and report their vehicle maintenance status.
The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. Truck drivers are also required to have a commercial driver’s license and complete a few months of training or go through a professional truck driving program.
There are 13,700 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers employed in Central Ohio, with anticipated available positions at over 1,500. This role is projected to grow in employment by 91 positions annually.
Construction Laborers
Construction laborers are responsible for performing physical labor at construction sites and operating hand and power tools, as well as other equipment used in construction. However, laborers are mainly responsible for clearing and preparing sites.
Laborers are also responsible for building highways and roads, building homes and businesses, digging tunnels and mine shafts, tearing down buildings and/or removing hazardous materials.
The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. Most laborers learn through on-the-job training, but others can benefit from trade or vocational school, community college for more training or apprenticeship programs, including those sponsored by unions and contractor associations.
There are over 8,000 construction laborers employed in Central Ohio, with anticipated available positions at over 900. This role is projected to grow in employment by 80 positions annually.
Services Sales Representatives
Services sales representatives are responsible for selling the services of nearly any kind of company. Their work requires developing and maintaining communication and relationships with clients and customers, as well as negotiating. Many work from a base salary plus either commission or bonuses.
Their work does not require specialized or technical knowledge unless services are scientific or technical in nature. However, sales representatives often attend seminars in sales techniques, take courses in marketing, economics or communication, go through their company’s formal training programs or earn a college degree. They may also benefit from a Certified Sales Professional certification.
There are over 7,000 services sales representatives employed in Central Ohio, with anticipated available positions at over 900. This role is projected to grow in employment by 61 positions annually.
Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are tasked with installing and repairing pipelines or systems that carry liquids, gases, air or waste byproducts in businesses, homes and factories. Workers may also install heating and cooling appliances and mechanical control systems.
The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. Most plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters learn this skill through several years of apprenticeship, four or five years specifically. They also attend technical school for some other necessary skills and courses.
Before working independently, contractors in the hydronics and plumbing trades must have three to five years of experience to qualify for a Commercial Contractor License in the state of Ohio.
There are over 2,600 plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters employed in Central Ohio, with anticipated available positions in the 300 range. This role is projected to grow in employment by 46 positions annually.
For more information on in-demand jobs in Central Ohio and beyond, check out the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and InnovateOhio’s online, interactive In-Demand Jobs List tool.