6 Recession Proof Jobs that don't Require a Degree

It’s been 10 years since the Global Financial Crisis. Given there’s an economic slowdown on average every 7 years, we’re overdue. When it hits, people will lose their jobs. What jobs will survive, or even thrive, during a recession?

We’ve compiled a list of 6 recession proof jobs that don’t need a university degree:

1. Solar installing
2. Mechanical repair
3. Building public infrastructure
4. Electrician
5. Plant and Equipment Operator
6. Glazier

Solar Installing

When the next financial crisis hits, stimulus spending will be at the forefront of the mind of every government official. Renewable energy is a great investment for that stimulus spending by giving people jobs, helping the environment, and investing in infrastructure that can be used for years to come.

What do solar installers do?

As a solar installer, you are responsible for setting up a customer’s solar system. Assemble all the components, install the mounting structure, wire it up, and make sure everything works.

You don’t need to be an electrician or have any similar qualifications to get into solar installing either - many of the tasks you can learn on the job. Check out some of the great opportunities in solar here: Click here to find jobs in the solar industry.

Mechanical Repair

Lifts, elevators, escalators. People rely on these machines every day. When they break down, someone must be there to fix them. Fixing can involve replacing chains and gears, cleaning, greasing, fitting, and joining.

There’s often a temptation to cut maintenance when times are tough. You can let a few pot-holes develop in your roads, or take a bit longer to replace those street lights, but there are some systems that require fixing even during a recession: Lifts, elevators and escalators. A broken escalator may be a set of stairs, but it will still need fixing soon. Lifts and elevators are even more important!

Building Public Infrastructure

A great recession buster for any politician is to pump money into public infrastructure. Big flashy projects that create jobs and provide great political feedback. New roads, new train lines, new bridges, and new tunnels. These will be big employers during the next recession. How to get involved without a degree? Labouring, concreting, and truck driving are great entry points to public infrastructure works without the need for a degree.

Electrician

In this day and age, new infrastructure needs electricians. Lighting, communications cables, sensors - all typically installed whether it’s a bridge, a tunnel, or a new road that’s being built.

Plant and Equipment Operators

The enormous variety of plant and equipment that can be operated, plus their continued use in building bridges, tunnels and other new infrastructure, make plant and equipment operators a perfect recession proof job.

Plant and equipment operators make sure their machines are up to scratch.

Want to get started operating plant and equipment? All you typically need is some high school education, a drive (heh get it) for quality work, and preferably a driving license.

Glazier

How often do you use glass? Much more often than you think. Glass lets you see the outside world while looking after your inside environment.

What is a glazier?

A glazier is someone who traditionally works with glass. You can fabricate it, install it, and repair it. Fabrication can include working with other materials such as plastics and laminates (to protect the glass). Installation includes installing the frame in the structure, and mounting the panel to the frame. Repairing is ensuring cracks and damage don’t spread.

A gentle but firm and strong hand, the key requirement to working as a glazier.

No one is immune from recession, an economic downturn can affect everyone. These have been some ideas on different ways you can start a career in a world of economic problems. If you need any hints and tips for getting started, reach out to us on LinkedIn and we’ll see what we can do to help: LinkedIn