Despite everything that we are hearing about rising unemployment rates and the number of people who are vying for employment positions around the country, a recent survey conducted by Manpower found that nearly 20% of employers in the United States are reporting having difficulty with filling job openings. Although this number is half of what it was in 2006, it still serves as a reminder that there are several types of positions out there that are always difficult for employers to fill – which means they are great career paths to pursue if you are looking for a job that will provide you with stability throughout changing economic tides.

What you might find to be surprising is that fact that many of these hard-to-fill positions are actually blue collar jobs. While engineering and nursing positions are still at the top of the list, other positions that employers are having difficulty filling include:

· Manufacturing technician
· Auto mechanic
· Truck driver
· Aircraft mechanic
· General maintenance worker
· Electrician

In addition to offering job stability, each of these career paths also offer an attractive income and the training necessary to enter these career paths generally takes two years or less. Here’s a closer look at each of these jobs.

Manufacturing Technician

Manpower’s survey found that openings for technicians in engineering, production and maintenance are all difficult to fill. According to data compiled by Glassdoor, the base pay for manufacturing technicians averages about $47,000 per year, plus they average an additional $1,500 per year in bonuses. To get started as manufacturing technician, you generally need to earn an associate’s degree through a community college, technical institute or university extension program.

Auto Mechanic

With more and more people deciding to hang onto their vehicles rather than trading them in for new ones, many auto mechanics have actually experienced an increase in business since the recession started. The demand for qualified auto mechanics is expected to continue, however, even after the economy recovers – this is particularly true as older auto mechanics start to retire and leave open positions behind. According to Glassdoor, auto mechanics earn an average of about $44,000 per year as well as about $415 in bonuses.

Truck Driver

Although the income potential varies greatly for truck drivers, Glassdoor reports that truck drivers earn an average of $47,000 per year. Depending upon the type of trucking position you take on, you may find yourself covering as many as 100,000 miles per year. Although there are some trucking positions that will allow you to come home every night and to be home on the weekends, it should be noted that long-haul drivers are the ones with the greatest earning potential because they can fill the trucking needs that cannot be met by other types of freight transportation.

Aircraft Mechanic

With approximately 170 different trade schools that are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, there are plenty of schools to select from for those who are interested in becoming an aircraft mechanic. After completing 1,900 class hours, which can be completed through either a two or four year program, you will be qualified to work in a field where the average annual income is $52,000.

General Maintenance Workers

As the name implies, general maintenance workers may apply their handiwork in a number of areas, from roofs to mechanical equipment, from windows to air conditioners, they can be the true “Jack of all trades.” On the other hand, some general maintenance workers do choose to specialize in a certain area. Either way, Glassdoor reports that the average pay for maintenance workers is around $49,600 per year and they receive bonuses of about $1,000 per year. While growth within the industry is expected to be about average, employment opportunities are expected to be excellent due to the large number of expected retirements.

Electrician

Those who are interested in becoming electricians generally need to complete a four year apprenticeship that includes some classroom instruction as well. On average, electricians earn $53,142 per year as well as $434 in bonuses. Those electricians who are knowledgeable in wiring used in offices, homes and businesses will enjoy the greatest employment opportunities.