For those who value hands-on work and long-term stability, the skilled trades offer compelling career opportunities. Trade employers across America are actively hiring, offering competitive wages, accelerated training programs, and signing bonuses to fill critical roles in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and related fields.
Several factors are driving this demand: nearly one-third of the skilled workforce is over 50 and nearing retirement, hands-on repair and installation work cannot be automated or outsourced, and significant investment in infrastructure and building systems is creating sustained demand. Skilled tradespeople today enjoy competitive pay, strong benefits, and the freedom to choose employers who value their expertise.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Federal labor data confirms the opportunity. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (HVAC technicians) will grow 8% from 2024 to 2034, adding approximately 40,100 job openings per year. Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 4% over the same period, with about 44,000 annual job openings.
These trades offer competitive median wages—$62,970 for plumbers in 2024—and provide recession-resistant employment. Unlike jobs vulnerable to outsourcing or automation, you cannot remotely fix a malfunctioning chiller or install commercial piping systems from overseas.
Building Your Career at Young’s Mechanical Solutions
Young’s Mechanical Solutions, founded by Jake and Darla Young, is a family-owned and operated mechanical contractor based in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Serving commercial and industrial clients throughout Virginia and West Virginia, the company specializes in design-build mechanical services including HVAC, plumbing, piping, sheet-metal fabrication, and building automation controls.
As a family-owned business, Young’s Mechanical Solutions understands that employees are the foundation of quality service and long-term success. The company invests in training and career development, creating pathways for both experienced professionals and those new to the trades.
Opportunities for Every Skill Level
Whether you’re an experienced technician or just starting out, Young’s Mechanical Solutions offers positions including:
- HVAC service technicians
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Welders
- Sheet-metal fabricators
- Project managers
- Estimators
For those new to the trades, apprenticeship opportunities provide the chance to earn while you learn through on-the-job training alongside experienced mentors.
More Than Just a Paycheck
A career in the skilled trades offers meaningful work. Technicians solve complex problems, work with advanced building automation and energy-efficient systems, and see the tangible results of their efforts every day. The work is varied, the challenges are real, and the skills you develop become more valuable over time.
As experienced workers retire and demand continues to grow, now is an excellent time to enter or advance in the skilled trades. Young’s Mechanical Solutions is committed to building careers, not just filling positions.
Visit the careers page to explore current openings and join a team that values integrity, teamwork, and service excellence. Your career in the mechanical trades starts here.