Recruiting Talented Skilled Workers: College Degree Not Required
When many people consider a career change, the first obstacle they may see in their way is obtaining the right education. For many jobs, a college degree has wrongly been seen as the only gateway to something rewarding with a living wage. However, many are finding their way into rewarding and stimulating careers through on-the-job training and experience in a skilled trade.
On the other end of the same equation are employers that are constantly seeking talented workers. They face the same challenge many times. In order to move their business forward, they need skilled employees who stay.
Many companies facing that challenge have begun rethinking hiring requirements that involve a four-year college degree. By turning more towards on-the-job training for skilled labor, they have been able to grow their workforce – and their business – exponentially. All the while, they are training their employees how they would prefer to train them and reaping the benefits. Savvy business owners know it’s a lot easier to teach someone a process if they don’t have bad habits to break first.
Industry Growth
One of the trends driving on-the-job training and deviating away from four-year degree requirements has been growth in certain industries. At Swanton Welding, we see how the welding and fabrication sector is trending. It’s clear that companies who are holding out for college graduates may find themselves left behind in an industry that is projected to grow 22 percent over the next decade.
While some see that growth and project that much of it will be absorbed by robotics and automated lines, we know there will always be a human element involved in the day-to-day operations of metal fabricating. No matter what technology is able to simplify, there is just no way to account for the creative talents of a well-trained skilled worker.
Joining the Swanton Welding Team
Other career paths may set up roadblocks to jumping right in and getting started. At Swanton Welding, our only requirements are that you’re 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and have a passion for the work. Imagine getting paid for the work you do and receiving on-the-job training as part of that career.
We make the path less restrictive at Swanton because we know that success in skilled trades such as welding and fabricating relies more on experience and learned skills than anything else.
Other careers that promise on-the-job training and immediate opportunities may also be just fool’s gold, looking for entry-level workers who never really get the opportunity to move up. That’s just not the case at Swanton. Our employee morale and retention rates are high simply because we almost exclusively promote from within. At Swanton, we’ll give you the opportunity to grow with us. Once you’re on the team, the sky’s the limit as far as where you want your career to take you.
A Rewarding Career Awaits
From the outside, a career in metal welding and fabricating may seem rather monotonous, but nothing could be farther from the truth. The work we do is ever-changing and creative. Though the skills may be the same, custom metal fabricating means you never know where a job may take you. You might find yourself beginning the assembly of a 50,000-lb. mixing tank on Monday, and by Friday you’re working on a 125,000-lb acid furnace. It’s hands-on work that will put your mental and physical abilities to the ultimate test. And, you’ll be performing that work for an industry leader that’s on the cutting edge.
Beyond that, the career paths you can take are endless. From your first day, you can take early steps towards specific jobs within our company, like:
- Machinist
- Welder
- Assembly
- Paint
- Shipping and Receiving
- Driver
- CNC operator
- Fabricator
- CAD engineer or Designer
- Estimator
Along the path to your career in metal fabricating and welding, you’ll be able to earn certifications which not only look good on your resume, but give you real skills you can apply to the projects you work on. There will be chances for you to take on supervisor and management opportunities if that’s something you’re interested in pursuing. All the while, you’ll be earning a steady paycheck with great job security and benefits. When it comes time for you to take the next step in your career, you’ll be able to do so, confident in your abilities and talents.
If you’ve been looking for a way to jump to the head of the line and get your career started now, look no further than Swanton Welding. Contact our team today to learn more about the multitude of opportunities and on-the-job training that awaits you with a fulfilling and rewarding welding and fabrication career.
