How & Why To Celebrate Skilled Trades Day

This awareness date was started to educate people on trade jobs...like locksmithing!

Currently, there are about 8.8 million job openings in the United States. Over 770,000 of these positions are skilled trades jobs, and by 2028, it is estimated that more than 3 million skilled trades job positions will still be available, as employers struggle to find workers.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were laid off and/or got used to working from home. Now, employees are demanding flexible schedules and an increase in pay and benefits, as they work to deal with work-life balance, inflation, and feeling burnt out.

The labor shortage is hitting trades in an especially hard way, as only 16% of students consider skilled trade industries. Those about to enter the workforce:

• are usually encouraged to attend college, which can lead to student debt
• underestimate how much money they could make as trade workers, even though half of the trade industry starts out earning at least $50,000/year
• have out-of-date views on skilled trades, despite the fact that these jobs use cutting-edge technology and secure regular continuing education credits

City Machine Technologies established National Skilled Trades Day, in order to promote the benefits of jobs like locksmithing, which:

• usually only require a certification for employment, rather than years of college
• allow people to enter the workforce sooner and without student loan debt 
• offer competitive pay, insurance, vacation time, overtime pay, and other benefits
• are always hiring, always essential to society, and always in demand

At Cothron’s Security Professionals, we do our part to spread awareness about trade jobs. We highlight employees on social media, explaining how/why they became a locksmith. We set up at career fairs/career days, educating students on our roles. And we have our employment opportunities listed on our website, as we are always looking to hire locksmiths, access control technicians, glaziers, and door & frame techs. We even have openings for students looking for career prep, part-time jobs, internships, or work-study opportunities.​  


Today, on Skilled Trades Day, we urge you to:

• learn more about these fields
• thank a worker
• tell someone about these exciting job opportunities
• ​apply at Cothron’s, Austin's oldest and most trusted locksmith, alarm, safe, and security company!