Steel Suppliers in Houston Looking Forward to Industry Boom

Traditionally, it has been thought that in order to find gainful employment, a college degree was a must. However, in the wake of the Great Recession that rocked the U.S. for several years, many people are discovering that there are many high-paying jobs for individuals who do not hold college degrees and would have been considered. Steel suppliers in Houston are learning that even though the steel industry is making a swing back in the economy, steel construction is still suffering from a shortage of skilled workers willing to fill the positions.

Some employees who are willing to fill these types of positions can enjoy salary rates that are equal to what in the past would have taken several years of post-secondary education to fulfil. For instance, employees who monitor the manufacturing process at the Chevron Phillips petrochemical plant in Houston are enjoying six-figure incomes without a doctorate or engineering degree. In fact, many of the individuals who are enjoying the “New Blue Collar Industries” have as little as a two-year degree from their local community colleges.

 It is estimated that by 2017, 2.5 million middle-skilled jobs like those mentioned above will be added to the workforce. This should account for nearly 40% of all job growth, according to a USA Today analysis of data. Not all of these new positions will pay in the six figures, but many will be expected to pay at least thirteen dollars an hour, and many will pay much more than that. Training is required, as with any occupation, but potential employees can expect far fewer classroom hours than would traditionally be required by a bachelor's degree.

Many of the jobs that so desperately need filling in the steel industry are not new positions at all. These positions do not affect the steel suppliers, as the steel in the Houston market is actually doing very well right now, but rather these are steel fabrication jobs that have been in the workforce consciousness for decades. However, after construction work took such a hard hit during the recession, many skilled workers left the steel industry for more profitable employment. Because these jobs are continuously unfilled, the compensation rate is being increased to attract new workers.

Although the construction industry is making a great recovery from the Great Recession, there is still an unprecedented shortage of skilled steelworkers for construction jobs using steel suppliers in Houston. This lack of skilled professionals is forcing a compensation increase in many types of employment. By 2017, it is estimated that there will be 2.5 million new types of blue-collar employment, as well as preexisting jobs that will be paying more than ever before.