Updated: 27 Jan 2023
Written by Julia Morris, https://juliemorris.org/
Maybe you always assumed that you would have a white-collar career, but now that you have your first office job, you’re curious about alternative paths. Or perhaps most of your peers are heading off to college, yet you’re interested in going to trade school instead.
If you’re considering a career in the skilled trades, you can find job opportunities with Hay Trabajo! Furthermore, here’s how to decide which trade you’d like to pursue, gain the experience you need, and use the right tools to manage your own business.
Benefits of the Skilled Trades
You might be interested in working in the trades, but you’re still not sure if it’s the right choice for you. However, there are lots of perks to this career path! Lowell Corporation states that trade school is typically cheaper and less time-intensive than earning a bachelor’s degree and that there are countless lucrative trade job openings, especially as many older professionals in this field retire.
Which Trade is Right for You
Even if you know that you want to work in the trades, you might be questioning which is the best fit for you. Learning about different trades can help you make an informed decision. Reach out to people who work in the fields that you’re considering. You can talk to construction workers, welders, electricians, plumbers, and more!
Training and Apprenticeships
There are several paths to securing your first job in the trades. While some people break into the trades with no experience or certifications, it’s a good idea to invest in trade school or take on an apprenticeship to master the skills you need with professional guidance and supervision. To choose a trade school, look into the career outcomes of their former students, the instructors’ qualifications, the school’s licenses and accreditation, the extent of training provided, and the quality of the materials and equipment they use. To find an apprenticeship, Indeed recommends looking into openings with local trade or labor unions.
Launching Your Own Business
As a professional in the skilled trades, you might be interested in running your own business one day. Once you’ve concluded your apprenticeship, you may feel confident enough in your entrepreneurial skills that you want to launch your own trades company.
As a business owner, you’ll need to write up legal contracts and terms to protect yourself financially when working with clients. It’s often easiest to tackle this by using a tool to create, fill out, and send PDF forms online. This may help you and your clients to sign important documents without printing any paperwork. Plus, you can securely share these files after e-signing.
Finding Your First Job
What if you’ve wrapped up a trade school program or apprenticeship, but you know that you need to get some experience under your belt before you think about opening your very own business? Then it’s time to start job hunting! If you’ve completed an apprenticeship, you will likely be able to keep working with the same company or union as long as you had a positive experience.
If you’ve finished with a trade school program, you can seek out job openings with local companies, network with people in your field, and even check in with your school’s career center to see if they could connect you with any companies that are currently hiring. In a few years’ time, you might be ready to move up into a management role.
Working in the skilled trades can be a great career path. With focus and determination, you can enjoy a lucrative career in this sector. By following these tips, you’ll be ready to choose a specific trade, enroll in trade school or land an apprenticeship, and even draw up contracts to manage your own business!
Searching for your first trade job? Look for openings through Hay Trabajo! Visit our website today to start applying for jobs in your area.
For more information, visit https://juliemorris.org/
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