Everett residents seeking well-paying jobs that do not necessarily require a college degree have an opportunity to find them at the upcoming Everett “Careers in the Trades” Fair from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, at Everett High School. That evening, more than 30 employers – from local unions to firms in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors – will be on hand to meet residents and share information about how to earn competitive salaries working in the trades.
The city of Everett is hosting this career fair, with the support of local unions and AEC firms, for two very simple reasons. First, we need more people entering the skilled trades. For every five people who retire from a career in the trades, only two people enter the field. There is a talent shortage and the need for skilled workers is only growing. And second, we need to ensure everyone who seeks a job that will pay them fairly for their hard work can find one. Entry-level jobs in the trades pay significantly more than non-trade entry-level jobs, and provide opportunities for training and skill-building that do not require going to a four-year college.
Here in Everett and the surrounding area, every new school, hospital, housing development, laboratory, and hotel depends on skilled workers. The projects shaping Greater Boston’s future cannot be delivered without electricians, plumbers, carpenters, sheet metal workers, masons, painters, HVAC technicians, and equipment operators.
The Building Trades unions and companies like Suffolk are always looking for hard working people to build with us. Many of the jobs we need to fill do not require a four-year degree. That does not mean the work is easy or that training is unnecessary. It means there are multiple ways to get started and build from there.
Apprenticeships are one of the clearest examples. In the building trades, apprentices combine classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training. They learn from experienced tradespeople, develop technical skills and gain a foundation in safety, quality and teamwork. Union pathways can also provide access to structured training, strong benefits, fair wages and opportunities to advance.
A person does not need to arrive knowing exactly which trade is right for them. They need curiosity, a willingness to learn and the commitment to show up, work safely and contribute to a team. Over time, a craftsperson can become a foreperson, estimator, superintendent or project manager or build a business of their own.
From Suffolk’s perspective as a construction manager, this workforce is essential to the success of every project. The workforce of the future will pair hands-on expertise with the ability to adapt to new tools and new ways of working. That combination is already helping us build more safely, efficiently and predictably.
A career decision is easier to make when people have clear information and can speak directly with those who know the answers. Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation with someone who can explain the path and help a person see themselves in it.
The Everett “Careers in the Trades” Fair will create exactly that opportunity. Unions and AEC firms will be there to talk with students, families, career changers and anyone curious about what comes next.
Attendees can learn about the many pathways into the industry. They can ask questions, compare options and begin to understand what a future in the trades could look like without having to make a decision that day.
We encourage Everett residents to come, ask questions and explore whether a career in the trades could be right for them. These careers offer the chance to earn a good living, develop valuable skills and take pride in work that strengthens our communities.
The path may begin with an apprenticeship, a training program or an entry-level opportunity. What matters most is a willingness to learn, work hard and keep growing.
For anyone ready to take that first step, the Everett “Careers in the Trades” Fair is a place to start.
Everett “Careers in the Trades” Fair
Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Everett High School
100 Elm Street, Everett
Pat Lucey is the President, Northeast, and National Centers of Excellence at Suffolk, and Brian Doherty is the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Greater Boston Labor Council and General Agent of the Greater Boston Building Trades Unions.