Well first, skilled labor is very much in demand, and licensed trades conducted by licensed professionals are always needed everywhere. HVAC techs, plumbers, and electricians, for example, will always have work as long as people want to stay warm/cool and have access to water, and electricity. Job security, in my opinion, is a fallacy. Anybody can lose their job. Granted, some positions are more "secure" than others. To answer your question directly, my work will be in demand once I become a fully licensed tradesman, but it is not necessarily guaranteed. No job really is.

I have been working in and around the trades for 5-6 years already and can say with confidence that most trades are hurting badly for help, both apprentices and journeyman-level or above professionals.

Second, you are absolutely correct. My wage will start at a percentage of the JW rate as you described. Set pay increases are scheduled to occur every 6 months until you reach the full JW rate. You can still make more though, say if you get your master's license or take on a supervisor-type role.

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Lastly, I understand and agree with your point about lifestyle creep. I have a few friends and family that are "victims" of that, unfortunately. I can assure you, though, that I pay a lot of attention to my spending and do my best to avoid being wasteful/impulsive and generally make my money go further.

I know spending more on rent than I need to reduces my savings ability and opens the door to other increases in spending, but I guess what I am saying is I don't mind paying some more and saving in other areas to do so. Thinking it through, perhaps I will rent something cheap and then buy a home with 20% down and more.