Giles Cadman 
There is a certain feeling you get when you work with your hands. A certain sense of pride and satisfaction like no other.
For those new to the series, I've decided to write about the need to stimulate business growth in rural areas because it's something that I've become incredibly passionate about in recent years.
As the Chairman of The Cadman Capital Group, a group of over 30 cohesive and complimentary companies, I understand the value of hard, hands-on work.
Skills-based workers are in high demand in the UK right now and there seems to be less interest in this field. Not only are there many benefits to working in the trades, but the economy needs people to enter into these fields to survive.
Not everyone needs to go to university
Going through a four-year university degree program seems like the obvious choice for many before joining the workforce. While this does make sense for some, there are other paths to success you can take. Bachelor's degrees are extremely expensive and result in thousands of dollars of debt.
Skills-based industries require college-diplomas and apprentices and are much less expensive. They also take less time and offer more hands-on learning, so students can enter the workforce faster.
Job security
Trade jobs are secure because there will always be a need for them. There are more tradespeople retiring and leaving the field than there are entering it, making it a stable career choice.
Trade careers are often close to home
Trades jobs are usually closer to home, helping to keep jobs in rural areas. This helps families stay closer to home and also reduces commute times. I love big cities, but I certainly don't love commuting in them.
Hard work pays off
Trades careers are well-compensated because of the physical labour and skills-base required for the job. It's a misconception white collar jobs offer higher salaries, as trades salaries are often equal to or exceed the compensation of white collar jobs. Especially when you factor in education cost and debt, trades jobs certainly look more appealing.
No matter which career path you choose in life, make sure you are doing something you love every day. Check back for my next in this series – coming soon.
Giles Cadman is Chairman of The Cadman Capital Group, a group of cohesive, complementary companies, operating in the international trade, retail, leisure, and investment markets. Learn more about Giles.
