PITTSBURGH \u2014 What if we told you there are jobs where you can make six figures or more without a college degree, and they\u2019re all local?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re looking for a job, still in school, or thinking about a career change, there are options for people of all ages.\u00a0 For many of these careers, you are paid while you learn.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Geno Berfield is an OTIS Elevator Constructor Mechanic.\u00a0 He installs, maintains and repairs OTIS elevators. We met him at the Koppers Building downtown to learn more about his career trajectory.\u00a0 He says his path wasn\u2019t always clear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI never really knew what I wanted to do in high school,\u201d Berfield tells Channel 11.\u00a0 \u201cProbably like the majority of high school kids.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For starters, Berfield went to college for two years, but that was to play football, a passion of his.\u00a0 He told us growing up, his dad worked for OTIS and saw how he was able to provide for his family comfortably, while working with his hands and challenging himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So, after two years of college, Berfield joined another union before signing on with the IUEC, the International Union of Elevator Constructors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s also a five-year apprenticeship program once you\u2019re in, which gives you an ample amount of classroom and on-the-job training,\u201d Berfield tells Channel 11.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was paid to learn and says he met other people who were looking to change careers or find a job that was more meaningful than sitting behind a desk all day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine also if you had a change of heart,\u201d Berfield said.\u00a0 \u201cWe also have new hires in their mid-40s. There is no age limit.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Joshua West is the General Manager of OTIS Pittsburgh and West Virginia. He says the future is high-rise, mid-rise and senior living with constant development and need for maintenance and upgrades.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a deep appreciation for folks like Geno,\u201d West tells Channel 11.\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re predicting about 2\/3 of the world\u2019s population will live in urban environments by 2050.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
West says OTIS wouldn\u2019t run without tradespeople who work hard and are compensated comfortably for their training and skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey work overtime, often times when there are emergencies, and they have to be calm under pressure,\u201d West says.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Over on the City\u2019s North Side, Josh Copeland is training the next generation of line workers for Duquesne Light.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s probably one of the most diverse groups,\u201d Copeland tells Channel 11.\u00a0 \u201cWe have individuals with degrees, with no degrees, and really a lot of them just wanted to work with their hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Copeland started as an apprentice and worked his way up to a leadership role. He says the opportunity for growth is so important for employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEven through the apprenticeship program, it is a very good-paying job,\u201d Copeland added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He says the need for line workers is huge, and there is job security with new development and EV technology.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is probably one of the most in-demand jobs right now, not just for us but for the industry,\u201d Copeland tells Channel 11.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to\u00a0CNBC<\/a>, there are several jobs where the largest share of workers make $100 thousand or more without a bachelor\u2019s degree.\u00a0<\/p>\n They include:\u00a0<\/p>\n Locomotive engineers\u00a0Power plant operatorsAir traffic controllersRailroad conductors\u00a0<\/p>\n So, if you\u2019re looking to make a change, not sure where to turn, or want to make a few extra bucks for your family, there is something for everyone.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n OTIS<\/a>\u00a0tells Channel 11, it is hiring and\u00a0Duquesne Light<\/a>\u00a0is looking for people for their line worker apprenticeship programs in January and June.\u00a0<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92025 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n