Skilled Trades Blog

No one should have to be unhappy in their work every day. If you find yourself unfulfilled in your career and unhappy in your job, it may be time to consider leaving your position and seeking out a new career. This can be intimidating for a lot of people - the thought of leaving a place where, despite perhaps not being happy they have grown comfortable and returning to school as a mature student seems scary. There are ways to overcome this fear, however, and get the education you need to find a fulfilling career.

If you're looking into your post secondary options and are torn between a private career college and traditional college, one thing we recommend thinking about is what you're getting out of what you're paying for your education. Typically private career college programs run cheaper, or comparable, to traditional post secondary school prices. However, it's important to note the value of an education from a private career college.

Students looking to enter the post secondary world have to decide between different lengths of study. Each institution varies slightly in what they offer, but it essentially comes down to three options: longer full time programs, usually running from 1-4 years at traditional universities and colleges, part-time programs offered at both traditional colleges and also private career colleges, and accelerated full-time programs offered at private career colleges.

When you are deciding the best course of action to pursue an education in the skilled trades in Ontario, there are a few options available. Ultimately, you need to attend some version of post-secondary schooling to qualify for a jobs in the skilled trades, but which is more appropriate: traditional college courses or a private career college?

If you attend a traditional Ontario college program for a skilled trade, you will be working toward a diploma and take a minimum of 2 years of study. Alternatively, a private career college awards a certificate and/or license upon completion, with programs that tend to be shorter and more intensive, with smaller class sizes and hands-on learning experience.

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With high school graduation right around the corner, many grade twelve students have started making plans for September. But, there are some graduates out there that may be thinking that taking a year off to work while they decide on a career is their best option. After all, who wants to commit to years of education only to find out the career wait for you at the end isn't what you thought it would be?

As the demand for skilled workers rises, so has enrollment in many college trades courses — as has the tuition. But if you find the right trade school, you can save thousands of dollars and years of time. You won't have to enroll in a 2-4 year course that costs $5000+ a year (coming in at $10,000 to $20,000 total). In fact, you can complete a course at a fraction of the cost and be ready to work in just 17 weeks.

The key is to choose the right school to get certified.

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Whether you are trying to decide to go back to school or continue your education after secondary school, you are looking at a major investment. But look at it this way, an education in the skilled trades is an investment that will pay for itself pretty quickly. You will be building your skill set, expanding your employment opportunities in the skilled trades and even have the ability to increase your income. By choosing part-time skilled trades school in Ontario, you can get the best of both worlds — you are able to continue earning a pay cheque while bettering your career opportunities.

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If you have decided to pursue a career in Ontario skilled trades, the first thing you need to do is find the right trade school and program to get you the necessary certifications and licensing. With so many options available for skilled trades education, how can you decide which is best for you? Here are some things to think about:

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If you've already think a skilled trades job might be for you, it's important to know where to begin. There is no point in pursuing a career that you have thought about without actually understand what the job or the training entails. You wouldn't want to invest the time and money into training only to find out this isn't the career choice you thought it would be. And so, we are launching a short series — a step-by-step guide, if you will — about how to kick start a career in the trades. 

Whether you are a soon-to-be high school graduate trying to figure out what to do with your life or someone who just wants to pursue something new, let this be your guide to starting your new career in the skilled trades.

Step 2: Get educated

Once you've decided that a hands-on career in the skilled trades is for you, finding out what certification you need is essential to your success. Get into research mode and start finding the trades schools that offer the education you need for the career you want. 

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For the last 15 years, it has been all about working in the business world. People were going to university and studying to achieve that corner office job. Now, youth still think that's where the good jobs are, even though there are fewer opportunities. The job market is definitely in recovery mode after our economy's nosedive but university graduates are not seeing the same success as they used to. It's time young people started looking at other options for steady well-paying jobs.

Skilled trades jobs are the alternative young people should be considering. They are on par with those office jobs that used to be so desirable — we've already talked about the myths that need busting. The simple reality is that skilled trades need to be better promoted as viable options to young people so that they can make informed decisions about the post-secondary education they pursue and the jobs that will be waiting for them.

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When you are trying to decide where to get your Gas Technician license, you want to make sure you are getting the best education available. After all, if you want a rewarding career, the training you choose is the first step to success. But what is it that you should look for in your skilled trades education? It all starts with the school and what it has to offer.