A career in the skilled trades can be incredibly rewarding for people who enjoy hands-on work. While the industry is known for its high-stress environment and long work hours, it’s also flexible, variable, and offers many learning experiences.
Why work in the trades?
A job in the skilled trades is one of the most in-demand career paths. From high salaries to paid hands-on experience, you might decide to enter the trades for many reasons.
Here’s a brief overview of why you should choose a job in the trades.
- Skilled trades are in high demand
- Competitive salaries and excellent benefits
- Apprenticeship programs allow you to earn while you learn
- Red seal certification allows for job location flexibility
- Plenty of opportunities for career advancement
- High job satisfaction and security
But getting into the skilled trades can be tricky if you’re not sure where to start. Here’s what you’ll need to get on the right path.
What you’ll need to apply for a job in the trades
1. Obtain a high school diploma or GED
Career paths tend to start in high school, and if you haven’t obtained one already, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED—this is the minimum educational requirement for most jobs in the skilled trades. Most high schools offer hands-on courses like mechanics or woodworking to help you decide which trade you want to get into.
2. Pick a skilled trade
This might sound like the most straightforward step, but finding the trade you want to specialize in can be tricky. With hundreds of trades, we recommend finding something you already have an interest or passion for.
- If you really love cars, you may want to consider an automotive mechanic
- If you love metalworking, consider a career as a welder, millwright, or sheet metal worker
- If you love building things with your hands, a career in carpentry or as an electrician might be the right path
Many hobbies and interests correlate with skilled trades, so take the time to look inward and figure out what you enjoy and could see yourself doing as a career—and if you need extra help, hit the web and do some research! If you know people in the skilled trades, don’t hesitate to reach out to them for their opinions.
Pro Tip If you know you want to be in the skilled trades but aren’t sure where you want to specialize, companies like PeopleReady look for workers just starting in their career who need some guidance. You can check out job openings at jobs.peopleready.com.
3. Find the appropriate training
In most cases, training is done through apprenticeships. Apprenticeship programs allow you to gain practical hands-on experience in your trade while simultaneously completing in-class education. They typically take between two and five years to complete.
One of the major benefits: you get paid to learn. Most programs consist of anywhere from 75-80% on-the-job experience and 20-25% in-class learning, and you’ll earn a percentage of a journeyperson’s salary depending on your level of training.
Plenty of resources are available to help you find an apprenticeship, or your college may do so.
Remember: While apprenticeship programs are one route to entering the skilled trades, there are other ways to enter this rapidly growing industry. Some people choose to start as general laborers at small organizations, while others prefer to complete a certificate at a technical school or community college.
Prepare for an apprenticeship
Apprenticeship requirements will vary based on your province or state and trade, but might include:
- Be at least 16 to 18 years old
- Have legal permission to work in Canada or the United States
- Meet the minimum educational requirements
- Pass the entrance exam for your chosen apprenticeship program (if applicable)
4. Obtain certification
Obtaining additional certification is integral to moving up the ladder within the trades.
If you choose a college or tech school, you’ll usually be certified upon completing your program. But if you decide to pursue an apprenticeship, be sure to keep an eye out for the next steps of your career—i.e., becoming a journeyman.
In most cases, becoming a journeyman takes about four years of apprenticeship work, depending on your trade, to apply for and take the test. Once you’ve completed and obtained your Certificate of Qualification (C of Q)—an official document proving you’re qualified within a particular skilled trade—you can legally work independently without supervision.
Once you’ve become a journeyman, the next step is to obtain your master-level certification—of course, this is optional. If you want to pursue this path, it comes with additional training and testing, along with some significant perks. As a master of your trade, you’ll be at the top tier of your trade and will likely enjoy better pay, more benefits, and even the opportunity to lead a team and take on new responsibilities.
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