Blue-collar jobs are manual labor positions that require employees to use their hands and physical strength to complete tasks. Maybe that is why people do not consider talking about the best blue collar jobs for women.
However, if you are someone who is trying your best to strive for equity/equality, and would want to know about this topic, I have you covered!
Therefore, keep on reading this blog till the end to learn more…
Women and Blue Collar Jobs: Do They Go Hand in Hand?
Well, it is true that blue-collar jobs include working with machinery, in factories, or on building sites, and frequently involve creating or fixing things. These workers typically acquire their abilities through hands-on training or specialized education.
But what about the women? Does the idea of blue collar jobs and the other gender go hand in hand?
For women, the world of blue collar occupations is evolving. These jobs have historically largely been performed by males and typically involve manual labor, such as building buildings or mending cars. But now, a growing number of women are participating.
Blue-collar jobs were once thought of as “men’s work,” but that is no longer the case. More and more women are entering the construction, plumbing, and mechanics industries, demonstrating their ability to perform these tasks on par with men.
An increasing number of women are filling these jobs. They’re going into welding, truck driving, and electrical work. This shift is taking place due to the high salary and increased availability of these positions.
Businesses are beginning to understand the benefits of having a diverse workforce. Women contribute fresh perspectives and expertise.
It’s not always simple, though. Blue-collar workers may encounter difficulties. Some still see these vocations as inappropriate for women. For this reason, women must receive training and assistance.
Women in these sectors can get employment and acquire skills through organizations like Women Who Weld and Professional Women in Construction.
The good news is that conditions are improving. A growing number of women are becoming well-paid tradespeople.
Additionally, they’re helping to reduce the wage gap between men and women. So, more women entering these fields create opportunities for others to follow.
Benefits of Blue Collar Jobs for Women
Unlike what many people think, there are several benefits of blue collar jobs for women. They offer good pay, stability, and security.
Additionally, blue-collar jobs offer many career growth opportunities. These jobs are rewarding and empowering for women.
Wondering what the benefits might be in particular? Well, I have you covered!
Here are some of the major benefits of blue collar jobs for women:
1. Job Security
Firstly, blue collar jobs tend to be one of the most stable jobs in the world. This is because these are also important for the society as a whole.
2. Good Pay
Believe it or not, blue-collar jobs pay well. This might increase if you have certain special skills. So, this is a great way for most women to make money.
3. Career Growth
As a women, you can definitely think about your career advancements in this field. All you need to do is be diligent and keep trying.
4. Financial Benefits
Blue collar jobs offer several healthcare and financial benefits. So, if you are someone who is trying hard to take care of your family, this can be an interesting reason for you to join this industry.
5. Diverse Work Environment
Lastly, needless to say, the work environment in the blue collar jobs ave become more and more varied in recent years. And this is one of the reasons why there are several opportunities for you, as a woman, in this industry.
Top Blue Collar Jobs for Women in 2024
If you check out Reddit, you will find out that the searches related to the blue collar jobs for women have been growing immensely. However, while the searches and discussions have increased, the options that the users mention are limited to laborers and mechanics.
But are these all? That’s the most you can be as a woman if you are in the blue collar industry?
Absolutely not!
Here is a list of the best blue collar jobs for women in 2024 that you must take a look at:
1. Lockout Tagout
The first one on this list is lockout tagout. I know you were not expecting such jobs on this list. But as the saying goes, it is what it is!
What is this job about? Lockout tagout, or LOTO for short, is a safety protocol used in industrial and blue-collar industries to make sure that potentially dangerous machinery is turned off correctly and cannot be started up again until maintenance or repairs are finished. Before beginning any repair work, dangerous power sources must be “tagged out” and “locked out.”
Lockout refers to locking the machine’s energy supply so that it cannot be turned on. This could be a specialized tool made to hold an energy-isolating device securely, such as a padlock. The lock makes sure that the machine can’t be turned on and that it can only be taken off by the person who installed it or, in their absence, by following a particular, safe method.
The process of adding a tag to a locked device is known as “tagout.” This tag serves as a warning label and has details like the date, the name of the person who installed the lock, and the rationale behind it. It alerts other employees to the danger of using the machine until the tag is taken off.
The goal of LOTO is to safeguard employees against the unplanned activation or starting of machinery and equipment as well as the potential discharge of dangerous energy while performing maintenance or repairs. This is important because unexpected machine starts might result in fatalities or severe injuries.
2. Eyeswash Stations
Second on this list is the job of being at an Eyewash Station. Now you might be wondering why? To understand that, you need to first understand how work gets done at eyewash stations in the first place.
Just imagine that you are working at a factory, working with certain chemicals. If these get into your eyes, it can be pretty dangerous, leading to losing eyesight. To ensure that things like these don’t happen, it is important to have first aid.
The eyewash stations work as a first aid centre for these construction sites. It’s usually mounted on a wall or can be a portable unit, and it has a special fixture with two nozzles that are positioned so that they can flush both eyes simultaneously.
In blue-collar jobs, where workers are often exposed to risks like flying debris, dust, or chemicals, having an eyewash station is not just a good idea— safety regulations often require it.
To ensure that the workers can use these stations in times of emergency, the people who can assist them must be there at all times. That is why organizations are recruiting many people for this blue collar job. So, you can definitely apply for this one!
3. Truck Drivers
Thirdly, several people work in the blue-collar industries as truck drivers. And if you think it is a rather predictable option, you are right! But is it a good option? Yes!
Transporting goods from one location to another entails lengthy hours spent on the road as a truck driver.
This job requires steady driving abilities, the capacity to handle lengthy journeys, and occasionally heavy lifting to load and unload cargo.
Because it requires physical labor and is usually paid on an hourly basis, it is classified as blue-collar.
Truck driving and other blue-collar vocations were traditionally performed primarily by males, but this is beginning to change. Because these areas provide decent income, employment security, and prospects for growth, more women are pursuing them.
For instance, women who drive trucks can experience the freedom of the open road, travel to various parts of the nation, and enjoy being essential to the smooth operation of supply chains.
The trucking industry is aggressively seeking to increase the number of female drivers because it recognizes the value that women bring to the profession.
This helps diversify the workforce. Additionally, it helps address the long-standing driver shortage. Women are proving to be skilled drivers who frequently offer new abilities and a fresh viewpoint to the field.
4. Landscaper
Lastly, if you are searching for some of the best blue-collar jobs for women in 2024, consider a landscaper’s job. Yes, I know that the work can be physically tiring. However, nothing comes easily, right? So, what is this one about, and how can women be in this role?
Creating and maintaining lovely outdoor environments, such as gardens, parks, and residential neighborhoods, is the task of landscaping.
Landscapers create plans for plants and other features, select plants appropriate for the soil and climate, and maintain green areas to their finest appearance. It’s a profession that blends art and nature.
This labor can be physically taxing because it frequently entails digging, planting, trimming, and occasionally heavy lifting.
And this is why, traditionally, males have held most blue-collar jobs like landscaping. However, this is beginning to change.
A growing number of women are joining the industry, contributing their skills and viewpoints. They demonstrate the abilities and drive to succeed in positions requiring a strong physical build and an acute sense of design.
Clients and landscaping firms alike are beginning to see the value that women offer to the workforce. As a result, the sector is opening up and providing women opportunities to pursue jobs as landscapers.
Women in the landscaping industry can work for an organization or launch their own firm, providing everything from complete landscape design and construction to basic grass care.
What are the Trends to Follow in Blue Collar Jobs for Women?
Now that you are aware of the opportunities that you may have as a woman in the blue collar jobs, you might be wondering: “Is it a growing sector? What are the statistics?”
You see, whatever I have mentioned above in this article has data behind it.
In blue-collar jobs, women are slowly but definitely building a name for themselves. Even though they currently only make up 14% to 15% of the population, their numbers have increased significantly since the pandemic outbreak.
The number of people in employment has grown significantly throughout the years, from 18 million in 1950 to 92 million expected by 2050. However, while it is true that initially, the predictions stated that women are 80% less likely than males to hold these positions, data says otherwise.
“In 2022, women comprised 17.0% of all blue-collar workers,” according to CDC’s May Bulletin. This report also stated that from 2011 to 2022, “the proportion of women increased in construction (+1.7%), blue-collar all industries (+3.1%), and blue-collar construction (+2.0%).”
Wrapping It Up!
Things are looking better for women in blue-collar jobs. Women can perform these jobs, and they can do them well. It’s a positive development for workplace equality. Additionally, it’s creating a more varied and exciting future for blue-collar jobs.
In case you were searching for the best blue-collar jobs for women, I hope that this blog has been helpful to you. If you have any other queries related to the same, please feel free to let me know.
All that you need to do is scroll down until you reach the bottom of the page. Then, leave your comments and suggestions in the box below. I will be there to answer them all for you.
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