Skilled Trades Blog

Brad Dixon

Recent Posts

Introducing the Skilled Trades to Young Women in Niagara

Posted by Brad Dixon

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

We've been getting excited about the promotion of the skilled trades to young people across the country lately — and now it's happening in our own backyard! Yesterday, 180 Niagara Catholic District School Board high school students came together at Ball's Falls Conservation Centre for a skilled trades for women networking luncheon.

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Topics: Women in the trades, Skilled Trades

Why We Should Care about the Skilled Trades Shortage in Canada

Posted by Brad Dixon

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

Not everyone is handy. And even the handiest people out there need help from the experts. When you have home maintenance issues that are over your head, you need a licensed, proven service provider to  solve your problem. Where would we be without those helpful skilled trades people who make our daily lives easier?

At the rate we're going — we may find out.

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Topics: Gas Technician, Career Opportunities, Skilled Trades

Tips for your Skilled Trades Job Interview

Posted by Brad Dixon

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

You've completed your gas technician license, you submitted your resume and you got an interview — congratulations! You are one step closer to getting a rewarding career in the skilled trades.

We know interviews can be intimidating — especially if it is your first since graduating high school or the first since you've decided to pursue a second career. But, if you are properly prepared, the interview process can be easy, and soon, you'll be working in the job you've been waiting for.

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Topics: Career Opportunities

National Skilled Trades and Technology Week 2014

Posted by Brad Dixon

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

It is the Skilled Trades Academy's favourite week — National Skilled Trades and Technology Week. This week, Skills Canada encourages individuals and organizations to help raise awareness of skilled trades and technology careers throughout Canada. There are events across the country happening from November 1 - 7 meant to educate people about the importance of the skilled trades and why it is such a great career option.

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Topics: National Skilled Trades and Technology Week

Financing your Future: Assistance for your Skilled Trades Education

Posted by Brad Dixon

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 2 MINUTES

When you decide to pursue a career in the skilled trades, you are about to see some major changes in your life. You aren't just starting a new job, you are getting a new education and committing time to that training. And training is not inexpensive, we understand that.

That's why The Skilled Trades Academy has created our latest resource, Financing your Future: Assistance for Skilled Trades Education. In it, you will learn about the different financial aid options that are available to help you fund your education so that you can get certified and start making money faster.

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Topics: Funding

Skilled Trades are Valuable

Posted by Brad Dixon

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

Despite Canada's shortage of skilled trades workers (some have even called it a crisis), people seem to overlook the value in a skilled trades education and career. In fact, the common misconception is that skilled trades people couldn't cut it in a traditional post-secondary education. As we've said before, that is simply untrue. If you were to ask a university graduate to fix a furnace, they would be completely out of their depth. So why is the value of the skilled trades so often overlooked?

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Topics: Career Opportunities, Hands On Learning, Skilled Trades Myths, Skilled Trades

Canadian High Schools Showing Students Skilled Trades Options

Posted by Brad Dixon

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

The skilled trades have been making headlines across the country and we love seeing the interest that is growing in careers in the trades. High schools are introducing initiatives to encourage young people to explore trades jobs in Canada and skilled trades education options.

One such initiative encouraging trades exploration is growing in popularity at Glace Bay High School in Nova Scotia. The program allows students to research everything from wages to how long programs run to the future of the trade.

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Topics: Trade School, Skilled Trades

Gas Technician Graduate Profile: Keith Murray

Posted by Brad Dixon

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

Niagara and Halton Skilled Trades Academies are proud of all of our graduates and love sharing their stories. Keith Murray attended the Halton Skilled Trades in January 2013 to complete both his G3 and G2 licenses. He now owns and operates ProLogic Comfort Solutions Inc. in HamiltonKeith took the time to tell us why he chose an education at the Halton Skilled Trades Academy and decided to start his own business.

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Topics: Graduate Profile

Do your Research before choosing your Skilled Trades School

Posted by Brad Dixon

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

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.

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Topics: Course Length and Time, Class Length, Hands On Learning, Oakville Campus, Ontario Gas Technician Training

Spotlight on Skilled Trades: MacLean's Talks Trades

Posted by Brad Dixon

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 4 MINUTES

When the media covers the Skilled Trades, we get excited to share it with you. This week, MacLean's Magazine put the spotlight on the skilled trades jobs in Canada. They're busting the same myths we've been talking about, making sure readers understand that although the trades have long been dismissed as a career path for those who aren't 'book smart,' the trades are, in fact, complex, technical and rewarding.

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Topics: Career Opportunities, Class Length, Skilled Trades Myths, Skilled Trades