As summer starts to come to an end, many jobs are becoming become available.
Now is a great opportunity to start searching for your next position or entrance into a new
trade.
First, what makes a trade a trade?
A trade position is one that typically requires specialized skills that can be learned on-the-job, through specially training, or vocational classes. Typically these jobs are physically and mentally demanding. And there are dozens upon dozens of positions that are classified as a trade.
To break into your industry, you’ll first want to do some research on the basic qualifications
needed for your trade, typically a high school diploma or GED is needed, and while some
companies hire entry-level positions others may require special classes or training from their
candidates.
If your trade requires certain certifications or classes, consider looking at your local technical
college for more information on how to get started with these classes. They typically are short
periods of time with a small investment that will give you a leg up in the hiring process and make
you a qualified candidate.
Apprenticeships
Once your course is completed you may want to consider an apprenticeship, which is
essentially similar to an internship. During an apprenticeship you’ll work alongside someone
who is highly skilled in your trade and will learn tips and tricks from them on how to become a
skilled laborer. You typically can find one of these paid opportunities through a local labor union,
employment agency, and through your training institution. Apprenticeship can take anywhere from about 1 to 6 years to be completed and when you’re finished you’ll likely be a highly qualified candidate with a lot of knowledge and understanding of your trade.
After you have an understanding of your new trade, you may need your own license to operate, if so
you’ll want to seek out this opportunity and do some research on what licensing your trade
requires. Sometimes positions will hire you without the license and will pay for you to complete
the required coursework, or employers can have you work under their license, so keep your eyes open to those opportunities and positions as well.
Finally, once you’ve completed the required schooling and training you can consider yourself a
journeyman. Being a journeyman suggests that you’ve had experience and all certifications
required for your trade and are on your way to being a highly skilled master tradesperson. You
typically can become a master tradesperson after about 1 to 5 years of being a journeyman.
Becoming a master tradesperson allows you to enter supervisory roles with a higher pay
increase.
Interested in starting your rewarding trade career? View all of our available opportunities for
those in all stages of the trade industry at condustrial.com/job-listing.
