The pandemic affected the jobs of many Americans. However, one sector — skilled trades — is seeing a significant gap between open positions and the supply of qualified workers available to fill them. Another contribution to this shortage is aging workers looking to retire, leaving more positions to fill. Read: If you’re unemployed, just graduated, or looking to switch jobs, now might be a good time.

Skilled trades are also a great option for students who don’t want to continue on the traditional education path to college — which might be a smart move. A study found 3 out of 10 high school graduates who go to college are still degree-less 6 years later.

Woodfin technicians working on a water line | Photo by Woodfin

In June, Virginia’s unemployment rate fell to 4.3% with ~2,000 jobs added to the trade, transportation + utilities sector. While this is a positive sign there is still room for people to enter this industry.

Woodfin, a Richmond-based company, specializes in home services + maintenance needs, like heating and air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, security + more.

Benefits of working for Woodfin include:

Lucrative pay
Competitive benefits
PTO
Wellness programs
Career advancement + more

Woodfin is dedicated to investing in their employees, their families + their happiness | Photo provided

Through their apprenticeship program with Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) and an in-house training program, Woodfin employees have the ability to continue to learn and become certified in specialized programs. Trainees can become HVAC technicians, plumbers, electricians + more. It takes approximately 4 years of on site and classroom training to become a licensed Journeyman technician (a worker, skilled in a given building trade or craft, who has successfully completed an official apprenticeship qualification). Bonus: Woodfin covers the cost of training for their technicians.

Woodfin techs working on a generator | Photo provided

Interested in joining the Woodfin team? Talk with them about what path works best for you, whether that’s an apprenticeship (best for those with little to no experience) or straight to the application if you meet the outlined qualifications. There is an open registration mid-summer and classes begin in the fall.

Explore career opportunities + see how to apply. Ⓟ

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