Is Basic Industries a Good Career Path?

What many people consider to be a good career path is usually a good-paying career. We're not saying it's not true but other things make up a good career too.  In this article, we will explore the benefits of working in basic industries. If you're looking for an industry that has enough opportunities to go around, you should explore basic industries. From mining and agriculture to manufacturing and construction, there is so much work available. 

Why should I work in basic industries?

There are several reasons for working in basic industries and they include the following:

The demand for workers is high

With the fast increase in world population, the need for natural resources, housing, and other basic goods is increasing. This means that companies in the basic industries are hiring workers at all levels, from entry-level to senior management. These workers help to meet the increased demand for products and services. 

Also, technology advancement has made the industry more efficient and productive but has also heightened the need for skilled workers who can maintain and operate the new technologies. This is particularly true in the manufacturing and energy sectors, where automation and digitalization have become prevalent. While countries and organizations are committed to reducing carbon emissions, there's an intense need for qualified workers in the solar, wind, and hydro-energy sectors. All of these factors have contributed to the high demand for basic industry workers, and it's expected to continue to be high in the future.

The pay is good

This is the part everyone loves to hear. Basic industry workers earn quite a good amount of money.  They earn higher than average wages, and many companies offer generous benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacation time. In construction, workers such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, can expect to earn above-average wages, and with additional certifications, they can expect to earn even higher salaries. According to mysalaryscale, construction workers in Nigeria earn an average net salary of NGN 93,000 per month. Workers in mining such as engineers and geologists can expect to earn substantial salaries too, with the average salary for a mining engineer being around NGN 286,000 per month. Also, in energy units, workers such as electricians, turbine technicians, and engineers can earn a solid income, with some earning as much as NGN 305,000 monthly. 

Job security

Basic industries are here to stay. While there is so much to do, there is also a lot to learn. There will always be the production and supply of raw materials. These materials are important for everyday living which means continuous production. Workers have to stay in their jobs for a long time if production is consistent thing. Except a person is tired of the field and decides to leave or switch careers, there is an 80% chance that such a person will have his/her job for as long as they want.

What businesses are in the basic industries? 

Here are a few of the businesses under the basic industries:

Agriculture

Food is important to humanity, this makes the agricultural sector an essential one. This is the unit that supplies varieties which include fruits, grains, vegetables, meat, fish and eggs. If you want be a part of what is happening in the Agricultural unit, you can work as any of the following:

• Animal scientist
• Agronomist
• Plant scientist
• Nutrition 
• Farm Managers

Mining

Mining jobs are really tasking jobs. The jobs involve finding and extracting of materials that can be refined for energy use. The materials that undergo extraction include minerals and coal. Some of the jobs available in the mining unit include:

• Surveyor
• Electrician
• Geoscientist
• Miner
• Production manager
• Equipment operator
• Project manager

Steel/Metal

 Products such as metals and steels serve as support to other industrial products. By support, it means large properties such as buildings, bridges, bikes, and every form of vehicle need metals and steels to work perfectly. All of these already explain the importance of metals. Curious about the people who work in this unit? They are welders, engineers, metal fabricators, metal workers, machinists e.t.c. 

Paper/pulp

The bark of trees really doesn't go to waste. Woods and papers are made from harvested forest products. After these products go through processing, they come out as more tangible commodities. For example, harvested trees are converted into wood to make furniture and other building structures. Pulp is also processed to produce paper. All of these procedures implies more than enough job positions which include:

• Plant/Mill operator
• Woodworker
• Logistics coordinator
• Chemical engineer
• Maintenance planner
• Industrial technician
• Sawyer

Chemicals 

Chemical production is an integral part of the basic industry. From paints and bleaches to deodorants and disinfectants, chemical products are always useful and seen around. Careers in chemical production include the following:

• Industrial chemist
• Laboratory technician
• Chemical engineer
• Researcher
• Plant operator 

How much educational requirements do I need?

Most people in the field learn on the job. So, there are several people with just high school certificates in the industry doing very well. This can also be an opportunity for people who have not had the chance to earn a degree. The trick is "you need to get the hang of it and be good at what you do". While you train on the job, you're still going to get paid and that is enough motivation to keep you going. However, if you want to be paid more, you can pursue a degree in any pure and applied science course like Engineering and Agricultural science. 

Skills needed to thrive in the basic industries

The industry does more manufacturing, so, a worker will need more human and maybe a few technical skills to succeed in the field. These skills include:

• Attention to details
• Teamwork
• Organizational skills
• Creativity
• Time Management
• Physical fitness
• Good communication
• Design

Conclusion 

To answer the question of the basic industry being a good career, the answer is yes. This article has explored a few of the career paths you can tread within the basic industries, as well as the skills you need. Working in the basic industries comes with good job security and moderate earnings. If you have been in doubt about this field, you should have your answers now. Most importantly, make your decisions and be sure you are right about them.