Being a tradesperson usually means you have a particular set of skills or that you work in a particular niche. Not all jobs are created the same! But have you thought about how the skills you DO have could help you build a successful career that might look different in the future than what you’re doing today?
Learning a trade is a smart and viable way to build a long, successful career, but it also means you have hard skills that can translate into so many different opportunities. Here are a few ways you can turn your current skills into a bright future with advancement opportunities that help you reach your goals.
Take courses
No matter what skills you currently have, or what kind of trade you specialize in, there are always courses available to improve your skills or add new ones. Talk to your foreman or supervisor about what additional skills would help you advance in your current job and see if they know of any classes or schools where you could receive additional training. They might even be able to help pay for it! If you’re brand new, or in a vocational program, talk to your instructors about your career aspirations and see what kind of training or apprenticeship programs are available where you live. Being a life-long learner means you’ll always have job security and will be an in-demand worker!
Earn certifications
Taking classes means you’ll have great new skills to add to your proverbial toolbox, but going the additional step to become certified in those skills, when possible, means you’ve proven your knowledge and abilities. Certification courses require a test of some kind — either questions or applications-based — to verify your mastery of the skills learned in the program and earning that certification means you’re ready to start using those abilities in the real world. It also shows employers, both your current boss and any potential new employers in the future, that you went above and beyond to gain even more knowledge and become a more valuable asset to your team. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a number of well-respected and in-demand certifications that carry a lot of weight on a resume.
Network
While this might seem like the kind of thing that only helps people who work in offices, don’t sell yourself short! Networking for skilled tradespeople is a great way to know when crews are hiring. Whether you join a union to meet other people who work in your industry, join online organizations that specialize in your line of work or you attend conventions, networking takes many forms. It boils down to talking to people who do the same kind of work and it could open so many doors for new possibilities. You never know when someone you meet at a conference, workshop, training program or other group could know of a job opening that might lead to a great new job opportunity!
Specialize
Working in the trades might mean you can do a great variety of hands-on tasks with varying levels of expertise. But if you really want to advance your career, you might want to consider developing a speciality. Being an electrician is one thing and provides for a good, stable, well-paying career, for example, but specializing in automotive skills means you could work for any mechanic shop or dealership in your area; becoming a marine electrician opens your career up to working on boats of all shapes and sizes, including intricate wiring systems on yachts or speed boats. Some electricians specialize in highway systems, working on light and sign installation, cameras, and information systems to provide real-time updates and keep roads open and traffic flowing. And that’s just one example! The same is true for construction skills – building a home is different from building a skyscraper — mechanical skills, engineering skills, plumbing, etc. If you find you like one aspect of your trade but want to do something more, consider specializing in that skill.
Get in Touch with Our Recruiters
No matter where you are today, you can find ways to advance your career by working with other people, asking questions, and pursuing new skills and learning opportunities. The more you invest in your career, the further you can go!
At Pirate Staffing, we can help you access training and certification programs, help you understand your career options and even help you find a great new job that could help you meet all your goals. Take a look at our job board and see the open positions we’re currently working to fill, then give us a call or submit your resume and let’s see where you can go!