In my previous article, I shared the results of groundbreaking research on entry-level jobs that do not require college degrees. Individuals such as high school graduates who start their careers in fast-track, Launchpad Jobs, are more likely to advance, earn reasonable pay and benefits, and have job stability. Yet choosing the right first job is not the end of the story. Employees, even those in Launchpad Jobs, can make choices that will position them for even greater success.
Transitioning to manager or supervisory roles
Looking forward five years, workers in the top Launchpad Jobs who are in the 80th percentile for pay earn 22 percent more than those in the 20th percentile. So, what can employees do to increase the likelihood that they will end up in the upper pay bracket?
Moving to a leadership role is the most significant gateway towards increased pay and continued economic mobility. Our analysis found this to be true across industries. For example, 20 percent of workers who start out as Oil and Gas Unit Operators moved into a supervisory job within 10 years, earning two to three times more than their starting salary and 50 percent more than their peers who didn’t move into management. And 13 percent of Millwrights became first-line supervisors, earning up to 50 percent more than their initial salaries.
Developing technical and foundational skills
Learning and mastering key skills is a critical step towards the management pathway. It also contributes to job stability, as well as opportunities for raises and career mobility. But which skills should employees focus on?
To find out, the research analyzed the most valued technical and functional skills for Launchpad Jobs. Looking first at technical skills, there was a relatively small list of required core skills across jobs. The top five were:
- Preventive maintenance (43%)
- Electrical wiring (35%)
- Hand tools (32%)
- Test equipment (32%)
- Valves/piping (32%)
In terms of foundational or durable skills that are transferable across industries or occupations, the skills Launchpad Job employers most desired were:
- Technical communication (17%)
- On-the-job training (16%)
- Technical writing (10%)
- Product knowledge (8%)
- Customer support (7%)
Some of these technical and foundational skills can be learned on the job, like preventative maintenance procedures or product knowledge, while others may require continued education in the form of a degree or certification.
For many young workers, acquiring these in-demand skills may not be enough. They need to learn how to highlight this knowledge and experience during annual performance reviews or when looking for a new job. How to write a resume, fill out a job application, create a LinkedIn profile, answer interview questions, or ask for a raise or promotion are not topics that high school guidance counselors typically teach. And while their peers who earn college degrees can turn to their college career centers for advice, the 39 percent of young adults who do not enroll in college receive little or no guidance on these matters.
Taking the next step
While landing a Launchpad Job as a first job sets workers up for rapid career growth, good pay and benefits, and job stability, achieving economic mobility depends on the choices an individual makes once they are in the job. By acquiring in-demand technical and foundational skills and learning how to articulate them, and moving into management roles, employees can increase their wages, job security, and career success.
For the many young adults who were not able to start their careers in Launchpad jobs, all is not lost. Stay tuned for my next article to learn how these individuals can get their careers on track.
