Almost everyone has had those moments – when something important breaks down or explodes and our lives almost screech to a halt while we scrambled to get it fixed.

Chances are that crisis was related to a trade or technical field. Some people pass off trade and technical schools as being less demanding than traditional high schools or colleges when this just isn’t true. It’s time to shine the spotlight on trade and technical jobs and look at 10 of them that our society just couldn’t live without.

Plumber
If you’ve standing ankle-deep in water in your bathroom at 5:00 a.m., you know how truly valuable a plumber can be. Plumbing is a job that many people don’t know how to do or would just rather not tackle. Plumbers make good money fixing leaks and hooking up water lines that are absolutely essential to people’s homes.

HVAC Technicians
Sure, we used to use fireplaces in the winter and handheld fans in the summer, but these days, most people rely on heating and/or air conditioning units to keep themselves comfortable. And if something goes wrong with them, you can bet no one is hesitating to get an HVAC technician on the phone to come fix it.

Electrician
You need electrical power line workers to keep your local lines well-maintained and repair them when they’re damaged, and you also need electricians who can route that electricity to your home. Without proper electrical connections, your home could go up in smoke.

Automotive Technicians
There may come a day when we travel by transporter a la Star Trek, but until then, the world runs on cars. A busted vehicle can make life a lot more difficult, which is why automotive technicians are vital to our modern-day society.

Computer Repair Technicians
You’d like for your computer to run perfectly forever, but in reality, computers break down and experience glitches quite regularly. Without a skilled repair technician, the average person might have to fork over big bucks for a new computer every time a small problem arose.

Registered Nurses
Doctors might write the prescriptions, but nurses are in the trenches every day, helping patients in thousands of practical ways. If you’ve ever been injured or sick, you might be familiar with the wonderful services provided by nurses. These services include administering medication, keeping track of a patient’s progress and medical condition, offering comfort and educating patients. 

Manufacturing Technicians – Machine Operators and Repairmen
Without qualified individuals to run and repair the machines that make all types of products, our society would be in great despair. So many items are made through a large-scale manufacturing process. Without these technicians, we wouldn’t have many of the products we enjoy, such as cars, electronics, toys and furniture.

Professional Truck Drivers
Maybe your knowledge of trucking is limited to the semis you see on the highway, but the fact of the matter is that professional truck drivers – especially those who pull long hauls across the country – keep vital goods flowing from state to state.

Web Developer
We’re past the point of no return. Our society is tremendously dependent upon the Internet for activities such as shopping, networking, communicating and sharing information. Web developers are extremely important in order for this type of web-based system to exist. 

Police Officers
Without police officers, our society would be dependent upon vigilante law, and chaos would be rampant. Police officers help to keep us safe and secure and are at the core of the American justice system.

Consider the importance of trade professionals the next time you enjoy the comforts of everyday life. You might even want to investigate some of these career opportunities yourself.