Skilled Trades Blog

The holidays are fast approaching, and if you've been working in the same job for years, dreaming of upgrading to a rewarding career, you're probably dreading getting asked, "And what are you up to now?" The answer is always the same, and you just aren't excited about that answer.

This year, why not change the conversation? It doesn't have to be the same answer! Make the decision to upgrade your career and register for part-time night courses so that in just a few months, you'll be ready to jump head first into the HVAC industry as a certified gas technician.

Are you the owner or manager of a skilled trades shop, an HVAC or Gas Technician business, for example? If so, I am confident that you are already hiring licensed skilled trades professionals to ensure your business is successful. But that said, even when your employees have their Gas Technician license, there are a number of levels of qualification, as you know. Are you hiring graduates of a G3 program? G2 licensees?

Encouraging your staff to continue their education in the industry and upgrade their certifications is essential for the success of your business. You may require your G3 gas fitters to upgrade to their G2 certificate, or you may want to see your employees develop their skills toward long-term career goals that will promote their job satisfaction and increase their skills in the field. 

A few years ago, the Canadian University Survey Consortium conducted a survey and found that 56% of undergrads in Canada hold a job while completing post-secondary education, with almost 18% working more than 30 hours a week on top of their studies. It should come as no surprise that one third of working students report a negative impact on their academic performance.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

When people are considering a career path, there are always reasons not to do something. Figuring out what you want to do and what you like to do isn't the hard part. If working in the skilled trades is something that you would enjoy, you probably already have an idea that that's the career for you. The problem is overcoming the obstacles to get there. What is holding you back from pursuing a career in the skilled trades?

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

When you are considering going back to school part-time to get your gas technician license (or any other skilled trade certification, for that matter), you are probably already juggling many other responsibilities — a family, a job, a home. You're busy, and becoming a part-time student will just add to your already full schedule. It will take some planning and creativity when it comes to time management, but here are some ways to schedule it all in.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

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.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 4 MINUTES

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.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

It isn't uncommon for a career in the skilled trades to be considered by people already in the working world. Maybe they are looking for a new, more rewarding career. Maybe it is time to upgrade their skills. Whatever the reason, getting an education is an investment of both time and money, which means going back to school can be a difficult commitment. In order to afford school, you may need to continue working, but in order to make time for school, you may think you need to leave your job. Luckily, there is another solution — night school.