Too Much Competition? Change the Color of Your Collar!

I work for an agency that operates a wastewater treatment plant. It's one of several industrial sites in the county, which is home to several factories and four large oil refineries.

A friend of mine at work is a welder. He'd once thought about becoming a pharmacist, but changed his mind when he realized he could earn more money by using his hands, working outdoors, and fusing metal together. He loves his job, and teaches welding at a local community college in his spare time. But the number of students is dwindling.

It seems that few young people have any interest in learning blue-collar trades that could earn them six-figure salaries. Instead, they want a college degree -- often at their parents' urging -- and a comfortable white-collar job where their hands stay clean and their work is no more strenuous than tapping a keyboard.

As blue-collar Baby Boomers near retirement age, there will be a serious shortage of workers to replace them.

Companies that in the past had no trouble hiring blue-collar workers are getting worried about the future. They're actively recruiting, and trying to convince people that blue-collar jobs are worth pursuing.

My friend the welder doesn't understand the lack of interest. "I make $100,000 a year welding, I don't have to deal with office politics, and I'm always home for my son's Little League games. What's not to like?"

If you're looking for something new and are tired of the competition for cushy office work, look into this growing blue-collar opportunity. Here's a good place to start: www.BlueCollarAndProudOfIt.com