Sorry to say this to my friends who are vegetarian, vegans or members of PETA, but let’s face it: these are two things people just cannot live without. Really.
A recent study conducted by the National Pig Association reports that, due to drought conditions that blazed through the corn and soybean crop this year, “a world shortage of pork and bacon next year is unavoidable.” I know what you’re thinking, “there’s a National Pig Association?” The social media world blew up with this news and bacon lovers everywhere were scurrying to get to their nearest “bacon bank” and stock up on this delicious pork product.
But surely I jest. But if you’ll try to follow my correlation, plumbing contractors, too, cannot be undervalued. Seriously. I’ll always refer to the American Standard poster in which the plumber stands tall and it reads, “The Plumber Protects the Health of the Nation.” So true. But a bit underappreciated by society, I think. In my opinion, the plumbing contractor is the backbone to any residential or commercial installation. And they can fix a leak, repair a boiler, install solar or geothermal with their hands! Imagine that. Working with your hands. A lost art in today’s society, I’m afraid.
Perhaps not considered a “sexy” profession by those entering the workforce, or the counselors working with these young adults, the stigma of the plumbing profession is one that is set aside as a fall back or alternative profession. One that if you don’t cut it in college, there’s always the trades. Why is that? Why aren’t the trades a viable option to the kids entering the workforce?
Dirty job, plumber’s crack, working with shit. You’ve heard it before. Stigma, ignorance, you name it. But did you know that plumbers can make a really good living? According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage of a plumber is more than $50,000. And while working on an apprenticeship, workers are paid fairly well. No student loans to worry about and no worries of the unexpected when finished with schooling. And the future looks bright for those entering the trades, as there have been reports of a significant skilled labor shortage in the years to come.
Okay. So the Bacon the comparison, perhaps, is a tad weak. But it can’t be denied that your plumber is someone you can’t live without. Go ahead, give them a big hug the next time you see one.
I have traveled around this great country and met a lot of contractors. And let me tell you, they are some of the most intelligent, well-spoken people I have met.
Written by John Mesenbrink
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