Photo Credit: Pexels.com

If you’re looking for a career path that will be in consistent demand in the future and guarantees you longevity, a skilled trade is a great option. Skilled trades include everything from electricians to plumbers, giving you a diverse variety of options to choose from. Before you pursue your future in a skilled trade, it’s important to do your research to find out what it takes. This guide tells you everything you need to know.

Understand the benefits of working in the skilled trades

Working in the skilled trades has many benefits. For one thing, you can transition quickly from school to career. The education required is usually faster than a four-year degree, for example. Additionally, you’ll have great job security. The demand for skilled trades is rising, and much of the work done by skilled tradespeople can’t be easily replicated by technology. Another benefit of skilled trades is the sheer diversity of career paths possible.

Research the types of skilled trade jobs available

Agricultural skilled trades range from farm management to agricultural equipment operations. Construction skilled trades include masonry, painting, carpentry, and plumbing. Electricians and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technicians are also considered skilled tradespeople. There are also transportation skilled trades, like aircraft maintenance technicians, and manufacturing skilled trades, like welders.

Get the training and credentials you need for your chosen field

Once you know which skilled trade you want to pursue, it’s time to get the education you’ll need to enter the field. Many community colleges provide technical training programs that will teach you the skills you need and provide you with the necessary certification. This database provides a roundup of community colleges across the United States. Use it to find an institution near you.

Update your resume and cover letter

Once you’ve completed your education, it’s time to get your first real-world experience. This could entail getting an apprenticeship or traineeship. However, before you get the job, you’ve got to create a resume and cover letter. When creating your resume, work in Word, where you can easily edit documents. You can then convert from DocX to PDF without hassle using a free online conversion tool

Obtain your first real-world experience

With your resume and cover letter ready to go, it’s time to start applying for your first job. Best Colleges provides insights into skilled trade apprenticeships and internships, where most professionals get their initial experience. In these roles, you’ll experience hands-on learning on the job, often by shadowing a more experienced professional. It’s a great way to get your hands dirty and learn the tricks of the trade firsthand.

Consider setting up your own company

When you first start out as a skilled tradesperson, you’ll probably work for other people or companies. However, as you gain more experience, you might consider setting up your own company. If you go this route, careful planning is needed. For example, you’ll have to register your company as a business entity, like a limited liability company or corporation. You’ll also need special business licenses or permits to legally operate in your state.

Market your services

Whether you work for someone else or start your own company, you want to market yourself as the go-to professional for your trade. There are many ways you can do this, from creating your own website to raising your profile on social media. Blogging is another great way to establish your expertise in your field. Wordstream has some more ideas for how to market a small business successfully.

A career in the skilled trades offers great job security. Before you can get started, however, you’ll have to take care of steps like getting the appropriate credentials and creating the perfect resume. Follow the tips above to help launch your career.

For more content like this, check out the CCR Magazine blog.