Skilled Trades Blog

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The difference between a job and a career may be hard to define. Usually, a job is a means to an end, something you are doing for now, but is not your passion or something you see yourself doing for the entirety of your working life. A career is something you build over timed by getting the right education and experience. When you pursue a career in the skilled trades, that is exactly what you are doing — combining hands-on technical training with an ongoing learning experience in the industry to build a skill set that to grow a career.

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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'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 3: Find your niche

Once you have your license, you'll be amazed at how many career opportunities you suddenly have. In fact, when it comes to skilled trades jobs in Canada, there are so many, you might be a little overwhelmed. And if you have a certification in one area, like your gas technician license for example, you can choose to explore different trades from there.

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Photo courtesy of BNN.ca

The statistics seem bleak — the unemployment rate among young people in Canada is nearly double the national numbers. But there are opportunities out there, you just have to look in the right place. That's why the chef executive officer of Linamar, a Canadian auto parts maker, is urging young people to consider a skilled trades career in Canada.

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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 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 people so that they can make informed decisions about the education they pursue and the jobs that will be waiting for them.

Benefit Five: A Job in the Trades is Satisfying

Above all, the number one factor in overall job satisfaction is being able to use your skills and abilities. People are starting to realize that being happy at work and having a job that is fulfilling is important. After all, no one wants to spend 40 years working in a job that is boring and leaves your miserable. And yet, 70% of people feel that way while working — those with more education are even more likely to dislike their job.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

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 kickstart 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.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 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.

Benefit Four: Canada needs Skilled Trades Workers

The last time we talked about the benefits of working in the skilled trades, we talked about job security. That's all well and good, but if you can't find a job to begin with, who cares about keeping it once you have it? The good news is, when you are considering a career in the skilled trades, jobs are plentiful.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 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.

Benefit Three: There is job security in the skilled trades

We know that when you are looking for a job, good pay doesn't hurt — but even more important than a good wage is knowing that you will be able to keep that well paying job. No one wants to work in a job that isn't secure. And in this economy, a completely secure career opportunity is hard to find. But some jobs are safer than others — enter skilled trades career opportunities.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

It isn't a secret that high school students need a little guidance when it comes to makig decisions that will impact the rest of their lives. Not many young people know with 100% certainty what it is they want to do "when they grow up" and choosing the best route after high school can be an intimidating decision. They rely on teachers, parents and their peers to help make that decision-making process easier, but what if they aren't getting all the facts? 

Recently, the Canadian Apprenticehip Forum (CAF) released a report that states that 91 percent of educators know that skilled trades workers are always needed and therefore recognize the importance of connecting students with activities and data to properly inform them of the options available. On top of that, the survey revealed that 93 percent of teachers across the country are now encouraging students to consider a career in the skilled trades.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 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.

Benefit Two: Skilled Trades jobs have high earning potential

Skilled trades training may seem expensive — which we talked about in our last blog — but in the end, it is definitely worth it. After all, a few months of training will increase your earning potential for the rest of your life!