Interested in Skilled Trades? Consider a Career in North Dakota
Careers in skilled trades are on the upswing, especially in North Dakota. In the Peace Garden State, skilled trades are growing and providing huge opportunities for newcomers to the industry.
Skilled Trades Careers in North Dakota
Today’s skilled trades include welders, pipefitters, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, HVAC professionals and more. For Jason Ehlert, president of North Dakota’s Building Trades Unions, completing an apprenticeship through the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers’ Registered Apprenticeship Program is what set his career in motion. The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers is part of North Dakota’s Building Trades Unions. Through the program, Ehlert learned construction skills.
“As an indentured apprentice, my education was free, while I also received a paycheck from my employer,” Ehlert says. “A requirement of the agreement was I had to go to all classes, which were on the weekends, maintain passing grades and work full time.”
Ehlert says the Building Trades Unions, which has 15 trades with their own Registered Apprenticeship Program, has been working diligently to refocus skilled trades career opportunities in North Dakota.
“When I was in high school, the focus was all about the college degree – associate, bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D.,” Ehlert says. “Regardless of the field, one of these degrees was the route to go because the earning potential was more than those without a degree. But for those who pursue the skilled trades industry, the potential income compared to student loan debt is quite significant. Many can earn the amount of a bachelor’s degree without the burdensome student loan debt.”
Potential for Job Growth in the State
North Dakota continues to see affiliates of the Building Trades Unions seek individuals who want to pursue an apprenticeship. From energy generation, flood control, manufacturing, medical facilities, schools, roads and bridges, there is no shortage of opportunities requiring skilled tradespeople.
Just ask Alex Weigel, who graduated from Minnesota State Community and Technical College’s Moorhead campus in 2006. After graduation, he worked in commercial refrigeration for a couple years. He eventually realized he enjoyed working with HVAC equipment more than refrigeration equipment, so he changed the course of his career.
He started with HVAC contractor H.A. Thompson & Sons in Bismarck, North Dakota, in 2009 as a residential HVAC service technician. Once he gained more experience in the HVAC trade, he began working on commercial HVAC service accounts and dealt with more complex systems.
“My hard work and dedication were recognized by the company, and I quickly advanced into leadership and management roles,” he says. “I currently hold the HVAC service manager position for the company.”
Weigel enjoys troubleshooting and working in a fast-paced environment. In fact, some of his best career memories are from the weeks with the most extreme temperatures, where he was busy taking care of critical calls across the state.
“I also have had the opportunity to meet a lot of people and generate some great relationships,” Weigel says.
Skilled Trades Workers Needed in North Dakota
Currently, there is a great demand for highly skilled HVAC technicians and installers in North Dakota, as many senior technicians are looking to retire soon.
“The combination of demand for technicians and the growth of Bismarck offers many opportunities for high paying and rewarding careers locally and statewide,” Weigel says.
Ehlert says that with interest rates dropping, they are seeing the residential and commercial markets making more investments in North Dakota.
“As a result, specifically for heavy industrial markets, there are large projects in development for energy generation,” Ehlert says. “Many of these projects are going to take several years to construct and require maintenance operations upon completion, which creates more needs for skilled tradespeople in North Dakota.”
The salary base for skilled trades depends on the region of the state, the business, and the employee’s position, experience and training background. Like in any industry, the best employees will rise to the top faster, and those who show leadership capabilities are often considered for management positions when jobs become available.
The average salary across all crafts for members of the Building Trades Unions who have completed an apprenticeship program is $94,000 plus benefits.
“It should be noted that to be indentured as an apprentice, the average timeframe is four years to complete,” Ehlert says. “Hence, we refer to apprenticeships as the ‘the other four-year degree.’”
Ehlert stresses that skilled trades require problem solving and critical thinking skills.
“Just because we wear hard hats and get dirty doesn’t mean skilled trades are unbecoming,” Ehlert says. “Our members build the critical infrastructure this country needs. There are great opportunities for advancement for those who are willing to rethink what a successful career beyond a suit and a tie looks like.”
This article was sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Commerce.