How To Choose Your New Trade Skill – A Career Guide

Career Guide
Career Guide

Picking your new trade skill is no easy task, whether you’re a recent school leaver or a professional looking to change direction in life. You’ll likely have already had a think about what sort of profession you’d like to get into, but it takes a lot more research and analysis than just choosing a skill and running with it. Almost all trade skills can be extremely profitable and can set you on a very successful path if you have the dedication to work hard. The chances are, you’ll never be out of work and with many trade skills you could even start your own business.

What Types Of Skills Will I Need?

Once you’ve done your research and have identified a good trade that’s in demand and one that you’d like to do, it’s important to note that there are a few skills which are beneficial to many tradespeople. First of all, critical thinking skills are very useful as you’ll likely be working on fairly complex problems and will need to employ your knowledge in a practical manner. There are some trades, like electricians and technicians that will require a good level of maths and physics knowledge, as well as mechanics and even chemistry too.

For trades like plumbing, you’ll need a more hands-on skillset such as working with tools for welding and soldering, and you’ll also need a good understanding of electrical systems to help you avoid any mishaps on the job. There are so many different skills you’ll need to learn so be prepared for some fairly intense training, however it will pay off in the long run.

Where Can I Get Those Skills?

Finding someone to earn those skills is another big decision. Ultimately, you’ll need to learn all about the basics of your chosen trade, as well as more specialised skills that lend to that particular profession. If you do want to go down the route of becoming an electrician, for example, and you’ve not managed to get appropriate qualifications in mathematics and physics, you might end up struggling to get training as an electrician in the first place.

Of course, every teaching course will have different requirements for entry, but generally speaking, you should do some strict research into your chosen trade to make sure you’re able to progress with it. It’s worth noting that there are many tradespeople out there that have years and years of experience but have yet to even bother with getting certified. However, the chances of you earning that same level of experience are very slim and would be even more challenging today with strict trading regulations and not to mention the challenge of finding someone to teach you.

The smartest option here is to consider vocational education and training which is constantly being improved in Australia to provide better quality services to students. You’ll also want to look into the expertise you can earn from an apprenticeship.

How Does An Apprenticeship Work?

These are simply arrangements with a business in which you’ll commit around 3 to 4 years of work and earn both working knowledge of your chosen profession, as well as official training with a registered training organisation or RTO. Not only will you gain much more experience as an apprentice, but you’ll also still earn official qualifications by the end of your apprenticeship too.

You’ll have proven yourself and have the certification to showcase your skills, not to mention that you will also have that useful, working experience, giving you in depth knowledge of how your trade works in the real world, and the added expertise that you’ll earn from working with real professionals. After you’ve finished your apprenticeship and have officially become a tradesperson in your own right, it’s time to start thinking about where to go next. You might be offered a permanent position at the place you did your apprenticeship at, but you also might want to spread your wings a bit and opt for a change of scenery, or even think about starting off on your own.

How Can I Start My Own Business?

Starting your own business is a bold move, and one that required a huge amount of dedication and confidence. Starting any business, no matter the profession or area of expertise is not easy and setting off entirely on your own may feel liberating, but it can also be a scary time. If you’re certain that this is the path for you though, there are ways in which you can make sure the process will be easier.

There are a lot of things to think about when starting a trade business so make sure you do your research. You’ll need to consider whether you need a license, you’ll want to earn some knowledge of running a business, and how to manage finances, and even how best to market your business. It’s best to keep this route in mind during the start of your training altogether and try to add in some of your own study on business management in your own time, or perhaps glean some tips and education from those business owners that have taken you on as an apprentice.