Looking Beyond the First Paycheck: The Real Value of the Skilled TradesJanuary 13, 2026

By Pete Avalos, Dean of Applied Technology, Midland College

When people talk about careers in the skilled trades, the conversation almost always starts and too often ends with one question. “What does it pay in the first year?”

It’s a fair question. But it’s also the wrong place to stop.

I understand the mindset. Early on, most people are focused on making ends meet, getting their foot in the door, and figuring out what comes next. That was certainly true for me. I wasn’t thinking about long-term career pathways or future credentials. I was thinking about right now. But I quickly learned that I needed to invest in myself.

The problem is that when we judge a career only by its entry-level wage, we miss the bigger picture. And the skilled trades are built around the big picture.

At Midland College, I work with students preparing for careers in automotive technology, HVAC, diesel technology, petroleum energy, welding, and other high-demand fields. Many arrive focused on their first job. What they leave with is something much more valuable. A clear career pathway built on skills, certifications, and opportunity.

A Career Is More Than a Starting Wage

Entry-level positions in the trades aren’t meant to be the finish line. They’re the on-ramp.

What matters just as much as starting pay is what comes with it:

• Industry-recognized credentials
• Hands-on experience with real-world equipment
• Clear advancement opportunities
• Skills that transfer across employers and industries
• Careers that don’t require decades of student loan debt

In the trades, growth is part of the system. As skills increase, responsibility increases and earning potential follows. That’s not by accident. That’s how these careers are intended. It’s a lot like building a house. You don’t start with the roof. You start with a solid foundation and build from there. As the walls go up, the house gets stronger, until eventually you’re putting the last shingle on the roof.

Built Here, Valued Everywhere

One of the greatest strengths of the skilled trades is that they are rooted locally but respected globally.

Students train right here in the Permian Basin and step into careers that support local industries and strengthen communities. For many, that means learning at Midland College, getting hired locally, and building a future without leaving home.

At the same time, these skills don’t stop at the city limits. Welding, HVAC, diesel technology, and petroleum energy skills are in demand everywhere. And when students are ready, those same skills allow them to bring experience back home and continue building a long-term career in the Permian Basin.

Skills That Last

Our Applied Technology programs at Midland College are built with one clear goal, student success.

We work closely with industry partners to ensure students are learning what employers actually need, not what was relevant five years ago. Our programs are designed to move students into the workforce faster, with less debt, and with a clear understanding of what the next step looks like.

This isn’t about short-term jobs. It’s about long-term careers that support families, strengthen local industries, and build a skilled workforce for the future.

The Big Picture

When students take the time to look beyond the first paycheck, their perspective changes. They start to see careers instead of jobs. Futures instead of shifts. Opportunity instead of limitation.

At Midland College, we’re proud to help students see that bigger picture, and give them the tools to build it. Because when you understand where the skilled trades can take you, the starting line looks very different.