There are several perks if you’re considering a career in the skilled trades. Good salaries, apprenticeship opportunities where you can earn while you learn, and high job satisfaction and security are a few reasons to consider entering the skilled trades industry.

Why choose a career in the trades?

The skilled trades are some of the most in-demand careers and offer high-paying, fulfilling, and hands-on work experience. Here are a few reasons to consider a career in the skilled trades.

1. Skilled trades are in huge demand

With infrastructure expanding, the demand for skilled trade workers continues to grow. Choosing a job in the trades means having a stable career with plenty of options for growth and work location. 

According to WorkBC, the Labour Market Outlook predicts thousands of openings in the trades from 2022 to 2032. Here’s a look at what you might expect:

• Automotive service technicians: 6,670 jobs
• Contractors and supervisors for heavy equipment operators: 2,970 jobs
• Contractors and supervisors for mechanic trades: 1,220 jobs
• Electricians (except industrial and power system): 2,770 jobs
• Heavy equipment operators (except crane): 1,980
• Carpenters: 4,270 jobs
• Plumbers: 1,520 jobs

2. You’ll earn a good dollar

How much you earn as a skilled trades worker depends on your trade, education or training, and how long you’ve been in the field—but most offer good pay and excellent benefits. 

A December 2018 Statistics Canada report found that skilled tradespeople had a median income of $52,030 after certification. But some trades, such as heavy-duty equipment technicians and industrial millwrights, can earn higher wages, reaching the high $60,000s in Ontario. 

After four years of certification, income will increase significantly. The median income for industrial millwrights was $99,000, while heavy-duty equipment technicians earned a median income of $107,220.

In the U.S., a May 2019 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the median annual wage for construction and extraction workers was $52,580, and the top 75% of skilled laborer jobs paid $63,940 yearly.

The report also found the average for other trades:

• Electrician: $60,370
• Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters: $59,800
• Carpenter: $52,820

3. You can get paid to learn

Most trades offer apprenticeship programs where students can earn as they learn. Education happens over several years, where apprentices get on-the-job experience for 75% to 85% of that time and spend the remainder receiving in-class education.

Training periods vary by trade and location, but most apprenticeships take two to five years to complete. The big benefit of an apprenticeship is that apprentices are paid for their work—they earn a percentage of a journeyperson’s salary, depending on their level of training. 

Although there are some upfront costs for apprenticeship programs, you can find grants, loans, and deductions through your local or federal government to help offset the costs.

4. Red Seal Certification allows you to work anywhere

Certification under the Red Seal Interprovincial Standards Program ensures that apprentices have received provincial qualifications as a journeyperson—and employers know they’ve received training to the same standard regardless of where they’re from. If you’ve completed Red Seal training, you’re not constrained to working in a specific region or country.

The skilled trades operate without borders, meaning there’s a fair bit of portability if you’re in the industry. If you’re trained in Ontario and complete your Red Seal Certification, you can easily move out East or West—or to an entirely new country. 

5. There’s plenty of opportunity for advancement

For anyone looking to climb the career ladder, the skilled trades offer an almost unmatched opportunity. Many companies actively promote upward mobility when recruiting candidates. This gives workers an opportunity to learn new skills, move up in the company, and increase their salary. 

6. Job satisfaction and job security are high

Even during economic downturns, such as COVID-19, the trade industry is a relatively resilient career option. Although new construction jobs might be put on hold, many skilled trades, such as plumbers and electricians, may find more stable work during a recession or pandemic. Plus, demand for skilled trade workers is outpacing supply and experience in the industry is a precious asset.

Though slightly dated, a 2019 report commissioned by The Residential Construction Council of Ontario found that 65% of trades in the Greater Toronto Area rated their job satisfaction between 8 and 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, which may be partly due to greater job security.