Trade jobs in Baton Rouge

By Remington College Posted April 6, 2020

As the U.S. faced COVID-19 and many industries were restricted, some essential occupations kept working, helping support the economy and keeping life moving. This included many in the healthcare field, who worked hard to save lives and keep us healthy. But it also included many skilled laborers who were helping keep those essential industries running smoothly and allowing those at home to get what they needed in the day-to-day.

Essential employees included those who help essential businesses function, like HVAC technicians, auto mechanics, plant operators, and facility maintenance workers, as well as many in construction.

Not only are these skilled positions in demand during a crisis, there has long been a need for skilled laborers. Indeed, according to the latest report from the USG Corporation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, while more contractors are reporting a low level of difficulty finding skilled workers, 89 percent still report at least a moderate level of difficulty.

What does this mean for you if you're searching for a job in Baton Rouge? If you're looking for a position that is needed in today's world and you have a passion for hands-on work, you might consider a trade job.¹ Here are a few options:

• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC): No one wants to think about having to tough it through 100-degree weather with a broken air conditioner, or shivering when it's freezing and the heat is out. HVAC technicians are responsible for installing, cleaning and maintaining HVACR systems, repairing or replacing worn parts and installing electrical components and wiring. Employment of HVAC technicians is expected to grow 13 percent overall from 2018 to 2028 because of commercial and residential building construction and the growing focus on energy efficiency and pollution reduction.² Demand for HVAC technicians in Baton Rouge is relatively in line with the national average, with a location quotient just below 1. If you have good mechanical skills, problem-solving skills and customer service skills, you might consider HVAC training.¹
• Facility Maintenance: Those who work in facility maintenance are jacks of all trades. They might do everything from maintaining and repairing mechanical equipment and fixing electrical switches and circuit breakers to performing preventative maintenance to machines and doing general upkeep to buildings. The job requires good dexterity and great problem-solving skills. The field is expected to grow 6 percent from 2018 to 2028.² In Baton Rouge, however, this job is popular, with 4,630 people working in the field. It is also slightly more common in the capital city than elsewhere, with a location quotient of 1.21. If this sounds like a fit for you, you might consider a facility maintenance program.¹
• Process Technology (PTech): Working in process technology can mean a number of things. Becoming a process technician could include becoming a chemical technician, power plant operator or even a water and waste treatment plant operator. Plant operators are much more common in Baton Rouge than elsewhere. Chemical technicians have a location quotient of 4.91, petroleum pump system operators have a location quotient of 9.48 and all other plant and system operators not listed in the Occupational Employment Statistics have a location quotient of 2.98.

¹ Employment not guaranteed for students or graduates.

² BLS statistics represent national job growth expectations and are not necessarily reflective of local market conditions.

Sources:

• What are essential occupations?
  • http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-a-nonessential-business-essential-business-coronavirus-2020-3
• Current and past need for skilled laborers
  • http://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/cci_q4_2019_report_final.pdf
• What HVAC technicians do
  • http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm#tab-2
• Job outlook for HVAC technicians
  • http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm#tab-6
• HVAC technician employment in Baton Rouge
  • http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_12940.htm
• Qualities of an HVAC technician
  • http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm#tab-4
• What a maintenance worker does
  • http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/general-maintenance-and-repair-workers.htm#tab-2
• Qualities of a maintenance worker
  • http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/general-maintenance-and-repair-workers.htm#tab-4
• Job outlook for maintenance worker
  • http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/general-maintenance-and-repair-workers.htm#tab-6
• Maintenance workers employed in Baton Rouge
  • http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_12940.htm
• Location quotient of 1.21
  • http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_12940.htm
• What is process technology?
  • http://6a41.szyz88.net/what-is-process-technology/
• Chemical technician
  • http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/chemical-technicians.htm#tab-1
• Power plant operator
  • http://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/power-plant-operators-distributors-and-dispatchers.htm
• Water and wastewater treatment plant operator
  • http://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators.htm#tab-1
• Chemical technicians in Baton Rouge
  • http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_12940.htm
• Petroleum pump system operators in Baton Rouge
  • http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_12940.htm
• Plant and system operators in Baton Rouge
  • http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_12940.htm