The past year has been a whirlwind of changes and challenges, and now you’re faced with one of the most important questions of your life so far: what’s next? These next few weeks present a perfect opportunity to evaluate all of your options. Have you considered a career in the trades?

Adding It All Up

Before we go any further, we should recognize the value of education. Everyone benefits from continuing to learn; however, how many can afford to? As of 2020, 43.2 million students who have borrowed money are in debt by an average of $39,351 each. The average public university student borrows $30,030 to attain a bachelor’s degree. Roughly 86% of college graduates are employed immediately after completing their program. College graduates are reported to receive an average salary of approximately $50,000 in their first place of employment. Of course, these figures--and the likelihood of job placement--vary greatly by field of study, interest, and location.

These figures can be daunting at first blush but are important data points when it comes to investing in your future. If you benefit from hands-on education and want to make money as you learn, a career in the trades might be a great fit for you! And, jobs in the trades pay much higher than you might expect. For example, plumbers in Philadelphia make, on average, $62,410 per year. This number isn’t unique to Philadelphia, either--in New York, Oregon, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Alaska plumbers are reported to earn salaries of $69,000 to $72,000 per year. According to reports by Ferguson.com, they earn roughly $33.00 an hour (at least).

We’re dealing with more than dollars and cents, though. We’re talking about the only truly finite resource we have: time. Instead of taking a two-to-four year course before entering the workforce, professionals in the plumbing industry learn on the job in paid apprenticeships. They are simultaneously investing in their education and providing for themselves.

What About Job Stability?

If you tire of routine quickly but want stability and job security, the plumbing industry may be an ideal field for you. As a drain specialist, you’ll meet new people and solve new problems each day. The most successful drain specialists are critical thinkers who utilize all available resources to remedy issues. Additionally, the plumbing industry is one of the most secure employment-wise, as communities will always need experts to keep their plumbing healthy. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, our drain specialists were still able to work and provide for their families. Ferguson.com even projects that the plumbing industry will grow 12% over the course of the next twelve years!

The Zoom Drain Difference: Earn While You Learn

At Zoom Drain and Sewer Service, we highly prioritize education and professional development. We provide in-depth training for all of our drain specialists that combines classroom learning with extensive hands-on experience supervised by one of our senior technicians. The best part? Our students are paid as they learn and have amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience by the time they have graduated, making them well-rounded experts when they have graduated.

Unlike college degrees and an overwhelming majority of internships, the Zoom Drain and Sewer Service Technician Training Program is a PAID training program. Our apprentice training program is accredited and recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, and Technicians are paid for every hour that they train. Within our hybrid training program, you will:

• Receive thorough classroom training on topics from drain theory to executing a multitude of drain solutions from start to finish
• Work with expert technicians in the field to get hands-on experience solving real-life drain issues under the guidance of an experienced mentor
• Be surrounded by colleagues and teachers who support you and want to see you succeed!

When you have graduated from our apprentice training program, you will be a licensed drain technician with hundreds of hours of practical experience to help you diagnose and solve any drain issue you encounter.

Zoom Drain and Sewer Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we take it one step further. College admissions and unpaid internships can serve as cost barriers that prevent qualified, talented individuals from receiving the training and opportunities they need to succeed. Our founder, Jim Criniti, designed a paid training program that equips each technician with the education and mentorship while removing those barriers. Our program allows everyone the opportunity to thrive in this industry!

Are You Ready to Write Your Next Chapter?

At Zoom Drain and Sewer Service, we are always looking for motivated problem-solvers to join our team of expert technicians. If you think a career in the plumbing industry might be a good fit for you, apply today! You’ve been handed the pen and tasked with writing your next chapter. What will you write?

Sources
https://educationdata.org/student-loan-debt-statistics
https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=561
https://studentloanhero.com/featured/ways-predict-money-college/#:~:text=The%20average%20starting%20salary%20for,will%20depend%20on%20many%20factors
https://www.ferguson.com/content/trade-talk/business-tips/how-much-money-do-plumbers-make#:~:text=Plumbers%20have%20high%20earning%20potential,for%20all%20occupations%20at%20%2436%2C200