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Tag: trades careers

  • How Working in the Trades can Apply to Your Every-Day Life

    How Working in the Trades can Apply to Your Every-Day Life

    You may not have thought of it, but working in a trade can help you in your everyday life. The skills you develop in a trade can be practical, technical, and useful. When you think about working in the trades, keep in mind all that it could bring to your personal life, alongside a great career.

    Here are some trade career examples that have the potential to help you in your personal life:

    Carpenter: Being a carpenter is about putting together projects and mainly building things. If you have ever dreamed about building your own home, being a carpenter would cut labour costs for you, making it easier to afford in the long run. Carpenters have a general sense of how to fix practical things. For example, if you have a door that won’t close in your house, you would be able to examine the problem, take the door off and put it back on properly. Even if you don’t build your own house, but are still a carpenter, you would be able to fix things that are broken within your house. How cool would it be if you could build a tree fort for your kids?

    Chef: Being a professional chef has its perks. When you train to be a chef, you learn about safe food practices, nutrition, and the importance of cleanliness, before and after cooking. These things can be applied at home. You can impress your friends and family with your culinary skills by hosting social events and parties. If you have children, you will be aware of what nutritious food is best, and you could even teach them how to prepare it. You could also lend your skills and knowledge to places like shelters and food banks. We can’t live without food; so naturally, being a chef will always be a part of your personal life, alongside your career.

    Electrician:     We use electricity almost every moment of every day. If it isn’t powering the lights on in our house, it is charging our phones or laptops. Electricians have exciting jobs, for every day is different. You could be doing commercial wiring in a big building to setting up power cables in a residential home (depending on what company you work for and what your specialty is). If you are an electrician, you could fix faulty wires in your house or your friend’s house, possibly fix your electronics, install solar-power within your house, and maybe fix the radio wires in your car. The opportunities to bring your electrical know-how into your everyday life are endless.

    Auto Mechanic:     The perk of being an auto mechanic is simple: You can fix your own vehicle. People spend thousands of dollars a year on their cars and trucks. If you become an auto mechanic, you will be able to fix your own vehicle problems without anyone trying to hustle you for more money. Most auto mechanics have a garage at home and work tools on hand, just in case they have any problems with their own vehicles. You could even help your family or a friend in determining what their car problem is before they go into the shop, reducing the chances of them being taken advantage of.

  • 5 Careers You May Not Realize are Skilled Trades

    5 Careers You May Not Realize are Skilled Trades

    While it’s true that when most people think of “the trades,” the first things to come to mind are jobs like metalworking, electricians, millwrights and plumbers.  But physical careers like these aren’t the only option for students thinking of pursuing a career in the skilled trades.  Not every trade requires working with large tools, performing heavy lifting or high levels of physical activity.

    Service trades are also skilled trades, but can be less physically demanding. They require similar levels of education and work experience, such as college courses, co-ops and apprenticeships, and offer lots of opportunities to advance and build a strong, life-long career.

    Chef

    Chefs in the food service industry are skilled tradespeople, and they have the education and work experience to back this up. They can work in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools and many other places, and are responsible for overseeing food preparation, creating menus, catering events, hiring and managing kitchen staff, and purchasing kitchen equipment. Becoming a chef requires a combination of college education, apprenticeships and work experience, culminating in the Red Seal exam for certification to work anywhere in Canada.

    Bakers

    Another skilled service trade in the food industry, bakers work in bakeries, catering companies, hotels, hospitals and other institutions that serve food.  Bakers are also often self-employed and run their own bakery or baking services business.   They prepare baked goods including pies, breads, rolls, muffins, cakes and cookies, and often experiment to create new recipes.  Red Seal certification is also available to bakers who complete the required experience hours and examination.

    Barbers and Hairstylists

    The neighbourhood hairstylist and barber are obviously skilled, but not everyone realizes that this profession falls under the trades.  But like other trades, hairdressers and barbers are required to complete a college program, as well as an apprenticeship. There is a Red Seal certification available to hairdressers and barbers as well.

    Child and Youth Worker

    Another career that doesn’t immediately look like a skilled trade is that of being a child or youth worker.  These service workers work with young children and youths in order to improve their social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.  A college program is usually required, as this career covers a wide range of skills from nutrition and diet management, assessing the progress of a child’s development, assisting with learning, including reading, writing and math, assisting children with disabilities and more.

    Horticulture and Landscape Technician

    These tradespeople are responsible for beautifying outdoor spaces for both private homes and public areas.  Horticulture technicians will study and cultivate plants for use in landscaping and will provide treatment to sick or damaged plants.  Landscape technicians will design and plan landscape projects, oversee the planting and maintenance of trees and other plants, and advise on solutions for irrigation and land use.  This career features a lot of self-employment by owning and operating their own business, but these professionals can also work for golf courses, landscaping companies, greenhouses and national parks.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/

  • 3 Unique Outdoor, Year-Round Trades Careers

    3 Unique Outdoor, Year-Round Trades Careers

    Do you enjoy spending time outdoors, getting lots of fresh air and sunshine? For those who aren’t interested in working indoors all the time, a career in a primarily outdoor trade could be a great fit!

    When deciding to pursue a trades career where you will mostly work outdoors, there are a few things you can ask yourself to figure out if this is the right path for you.

    Do you:

    • Prefer being active, rather than sitting for long period of time?
    • Enjoy being outside in nature during the different seasons?
    • Like to do physical work to stay healthy?
    • Want to experience lots of different environments and activities?

    If your answers to these questions are “Yes,” then you should consider a career in an outdoor trade! There are lots of options, including some that you might not realize are skilled trades careers.

    Arborist

    If you love being around trees, then a career as an arborist might be ideal.  Arborists are tradespeople who are responsible for cultivating, managing, conserving and studying trees and shrubs. They work to improve the health of trees, will assess damage and trim or cut down trees if required, and pursue conservation efforts.

    The job of an arborist can involve using harness systems to climb trees in order to inspect them, operating power tools such as hand saws, chain saws, and drills to trim branches or take samples, and assess trees on public or private property for safety and health.  Arborists can be employed by the government, such as the Ministry of Natural Resources, or by landscaping companies, parks, schools, greenhouses, farms and nature conservatories.

    Most of the arborist’s job takes place outdoors, but there are some indoor tasks including writing reports on assessments, maintaining project records, calling clients to arrange service visits or consulting with clients on the safety and wellbeing of their trees.

    Heavy Equipment Operator

    This is a great trades career as you can choose the industry to match the amount of time you wish to spend working outdoors.  These tradespeople operate the heavy equipment used in many industries, including mining, forestry, construction, oil and gas, and civil infrastructure.  Depending on certifications and training, these heavy equipment operators can operate cranes, bulldozers, backhoes, forklifts, excavators, tractors, skidders, dump trucks, steamrollers and many other large machines.

    Many of these machines are common to more than one industry, which means you can choose whether you want to be outdoors all year, or only part of the year, depending on the seasonal schedule of the work.  Where you live in Canada will also have an effect, as some industries will not operate in the winter in certain parts of the country.

    For example, in Toronto or Vancouver the winters are often mild with limited snow, meaning construction projects are active all year round. In contrast, some mining or forestry operations in the far north parts of Canada will shut down or significantly reduce their activity through the winter.

    Horse Groom

    While there are parts of the country where this would be an uncommon profession, horse grooms are needed wherever horses are kept.  These tradespeople work closely with the horses themselves, maintaining their health, nutrition, grooming, exercise and training.  They will also oversee the care and maintenance of stables, stalls, and riding and grooming equipment.

    This career is ideal for those who both love working with horses, and want to work outside a significant amount of their time.  Grooms are employed by racing tracks, farms, recreational riding stables, and private horse owners.

    Most training in this trade comes through apprenticeships and work experience in a variety of stables or farms, though college or trade school courses in animal handling, animal grooming, and veterinary medicine can be required for specific employers.

    SOURCES:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arborist

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_equipment_operator

    https://www.jobbank.gc.ca (Job Market Report by Occupation)

    http://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/outdoor-careers/

    http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2016/03/07/10-jobs-didnt-skilled-trades/

  • Career Profile: Heat and Frost Insulator

    Career Profile: Heat and Frost Insulator

    Canada’s weather can be extreme, making it hard to heat or cool the buildings where people live and work. Heat and frost insulators can help by making sure that the temperature inside buildings is as comfortable as possible. This trade is very important in a county like Canada, and the job is a good choice for people who like to work with their hands.

    Being to cold or too hot can be very uncomfortable, and it can also make people sick. Insulation provides an extra layer between the walls of a building helps to keep the temperatures even so that people don’t use as much heat or air conditioning. This can help save energy, which reduces the amount of money that people have to spend on heating and cooling, and it also helps to preserve the environment.

    Putting insulation into buildings is an important job, and people in this field can be well paid. Some people even earn close to $75,000 per year, although most people earn less than that. Heat and frost insulators measure the spaces that need to be filled, remove the old insulation, and then cut the new insulation to fit. They also put special waterproof layers of cement or other material to keep the space dry and clean.

    The work is not physically difficult, although sometimes the old insulation can cause health problems, and even cancer, when people breathe in small pieces of it. Cuts are also quite common from working with knives or box cutters, and falling from ladders is another danger.

    Becoming a heat and frost insulator usually involves learning on the job, but some people go through an internship program. This is especially common for mechanical insulators, who work with pipes. Have you ever heard of water pipes bursting on a very cold day in winter? Mechanical insulators can help keep this from happening if they do their job well.

    Northern Canada has special opportunities for mechanical insulators. Because the ground is frozen all year long, the pipes are all above the ground in long, covered lines called utilidors. However, most parts of Canada still need insulated pipes to protect them from the cold.

    Work opportunities for heat and frost insulators depends mainly on new construction, although people can usually find some work in replacing old insulation. When the economy is doing well, people buy new houses and need insulation. A slow economy means that people buy fewer houses, and work for insulators decreases. Having a second skill is a good idea so that you will always have work to do.

    If you like the idea of working with your hands to help keep people comfortable, becoming a heat and frost insulator might be a good choice.

    Bibliography:  

    Heat and Frost Insulators.ca. “Job Description.” http://www.heatandfrostinsulators.ca/job-description

    International Association of Heat and Frost Insuators.org. “About Us.” http://www.insulators.org/about-us/history.

    Living in Canada.com. “Insulator Salary Canada.” http://www.livingin-canada.com/salaries-for-insulators-canada.html.

    Truity.com. “Career Profile: Insulation Worker.” https://www.truity.com/career-profile/insulation-worker.

  • Five Examples of Non-Physical Skilled Trades

    Five Examples of Non-Physical Skilled Trades

    The Ontario College of Trades recognizes 156 distinct skilled trades. One of the persistent myths surrounding careers in the skilled trades is that these jobs are physically demanding. While most trades require hands-on work, there are 156 skilled trades. You can choose a less physically demanding one.

    The following are just five examples of non-physical skilled trades:

    Child Development Practitioner

    Child Development Practitioners are trained to design and provide programs that help children develop physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team, skilled in communicating with children, colleagues, and families. You will have opportunities to work in childcare facilities, preschools, and Ontario Early Year Centres.

    Child and Youth Worker

    Child and Youth Workers support vulnerable children and youth and their families by building healthy relationships, promoting healthy physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. They are trained to identify childhood and adolescence disorders and to provide counselling and aggressive behaviour management. This is also a career where you will work in a multidisciplinary team.

    Developmental Services Worker

    Developmental Services Workers support individuals with developmental disabilities, including children. Your training in behavioural intervention strategies, safety, abuse prevention, and wellness allows you to create and maintain a safe, healthy environment for your clients.

    Educational Assistant

    Educational Assistants support students with special education needs. You work in a multidisciplinary educational team that designs and implements individual learning plans. Your training will involve learning introductory and development psychology, child education, and classroom skills.

    Hairstylist

    Hairstylists are trained to cut and style hair, as well as perform colour services and chemical treatments that wave, relax, and straighten hair. You may also work with wigs, hairpieces, and extensions.

    These are just five examples of non-physical skilled trades. Given the many possibilities, you may do further research and find more. It is also important to keep in mind that while your career may start off more physical, you may move up to a more managerial or supervisory role. If you consider it like that, then all the skilled trades are potentially non-physical!

    References

    http://www.earnwhileyoulearn.ca/156trades

    http://www.youth.gc.ca/eng/media/video_centre/ts_skilledtrades.shtml

    http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/wp-content/uploads/TFS_CDP_Nov2015.pdf

    http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/wp-content/uploads/TFS_CYW_Nov2015.pdf

    http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/wp-content/uploads/TFS_DSW_June2015.pdf.pdf

    http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/wp-content/uploads/TFS_Educatoinal_Assistant_Nov2015.pdf

    http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/wp-content/uploads/TFS_Hairstylist_Oct2015.pdf

  • What are the Benefits of Working in the Skilled Trades?

    What are the Benefits of Working in the Skilled Trades?

    Nowadays, a university education no longer guarantees a reliable job with career growth potential. This is not the case with the skilled trades and it is just one reason that a career in the skilled trades industry is looking more and more appealing. Perhaps you are at the start of your career or at a career crossroads and considering something different—give the skilled trades some thought….

    Hundreds of Options—Literally

    Did you know that there are over 200 skilled trades practiced in Canada? This staggering list is organized into four categories: construction, transportation, manufacturing, and service. You are bound to find something that fits your interests! For example, if you are interested in airplanes, consider becoming an aviation technician (a transportation skilled trade). And did you know that chefs, hairstylists, and horticulturists are all considered skilled trades? They are examples of service trades.

    Show Me the Money

    Everyone wants to know about the money, right? You’ll be happy to know that Statistics Canada reports a declining wage gap between tradespeople and people with bachelor degrees. Between 2000 and 2011, tradespeople aged 25 to 34 working full-time saw a 14% increase in their weekly wage. On the other hand, university graduates of the same age experienced a 1% increase.

    Let’s take a close look at workers in the construction trades, which include electricians, plumbers, roofers, and welders. Income levels and employment benefits will vary depending on the specific trade and where you work, but on average, construction workers earn $61,762 annually—compare that to the average in all other industries: $47,359. The difference is enough to buy 15 iPhone 7s!

    Job Satisfaction: You’re Happy, I’m Happy

    The money is great, but according to Matthew Crawford, author of Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work, the satisfaction of seeing a job well done is the number one reason people consider a career in the skilled trades. A tradesperson works with their hands, uses their knowledge and experience to build something tangible: a two-story house, an elaborate meal, a stunning haircut. Tradespeople rightly take pride in what they accomplish day after day. They know someone is benefiting from their work—and that satisfaction may be the greatest benefit to working in the skilled trades.

    The skilled trades offer an appealing alternative to the tired, increasingly elusive narrative of go to university, graduate, get a job. A career as a tradesperson offers many benefits, three of which are described above. You will have your pick of multiple trades, major earning potential, and the satisfaction of a job well done.

    References:

    http://www.careersintrades.ca/why-the-trades/what-are-the-trades/

    http://www.careersintrades.ca/why-the-trades/

    http://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/why-construction/8-good-reasons

    http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/17/skilled-trades-jobs-business-crawford.html