Trade careers offer a high level of job security and useful hands-on skills. However, you need to be constantly developing your skills and exploring new opportunities if you want to increase your earnings potential and really build a name for yourself.
There are many different ways in which you can further your career as a tradesperson. Below are just a few ideas that could give you the career progression you are craving.
Gain advanced and specialized skills
Developing specialist skills is often key to advancing beyond entry-level positions. If you’re self-employed, it could meanwhile allow you to carve out a niche for yourself and take on higher paying clients.
A few examples of specialist and advanced skills that could be worth pursuing include:
- Solar panel installation: A great option for electricians or roofers could be to look into NABCEP courses and learn how to install solar panels.
- Advanced welding techniques: Welders might want to consider additional skills in pipe welding, robotic welding or GTAW.
- HVAC refrigerant handling: If you’re an HVAC technician, obtaining an EPA Section 608 Certification could be vital for being able to work with refrigerant.
- Lead paint removal: RRP courses available through the likes of Zota Pro might be worth looking into if you’re a painter-decorator, allowing you to become Lead-Safe Certified.
You can also consider courses to obtain advanced OSHA certifications to show that you are dedicated to health and safety. In professions like plumbing and electrics, you could also consider transitioning from apprentice to journeyman and then journeyman to master.
Some employers will pay for you to undertake courses. In other cases, you may have to self-fund them. Make sure that the investment is worth the extra skills – it needs to be a skill that you want to learn and use, and that you are certain there is a market for.
Improve your ‘soft’ skills
Soft skills can be just as important as ‘hands-on’ hard skills in many careers. These are skills that help you appear more professional when interacting with customers or colleagues. Examples of soft skills worth developing include:
- Communication skills: Being able to clearly communicate information to customers and team members is essential.
- Punctuality and time management: This includes turning up to jobs on time and being able to meet deadlines.
- Tidiness and organization: Keeping your tools organized and clearing up after yourself is important for productivity and maintaining a professional image.
- Collaboration and teamwork: This includes being able to work well with other people.
- Leadership: This is important for mentoring and managing crews.
While you can take courses to develop soft skills, you may be able to work on them yourself simply by listening to feedback and adopting new healthy habits and routines. Your ability to demonstrate soft skills could be key to progressing within your career and for creating a good impression on customers.
Move into leadership or management
If you’re working for a company, think about whether it’s possible to move into leadership or management roles. This does involve taking on more responsibility, but it will provide you access to better pay and could give you more control over your duties.
To be considered for such roles, start actively showing initiative on site and taking the lead when problem solving. Volunteer to mentor new apprentices and show that you are good with people. Asking to learn new skills that could help you with a leadership role could also help position you better for being considered for a promotion.
Start your own business
Going self-employed is another route that many tradespeople explore. Building your own business provides endless progression and is recommended for those who feel confident to work and solve problems on their own.
To start your own trade business, you’ll need to take some of the following steps:
Develop a business plan
Decide who your target audience is going to be, what services you will provide and how much you will charge. Do local competitor research, work out all the figures and then start coming up with brand name ideas.
Get registered, licensed and insured
All companies need to register with their state for tax reasons. If you want to open a business account and hire employees, you will also need to obtain an EIN number from the IRS. Specific licenses and permits may then need to be applied for within your state. Worker’s compensation insurance is also mandatory if you’re hiring employees, while other forms of insurance like public liability insurance are recommended for trades.
Secure financing
Get the financing you need to purchase any tools or pay for initial marketing. Some tradespeople are lucky enough to have personal savings they can use, but most people setting up businesses need to take out a loan. Choose a business loan with favorable terms. Make sure to also look out for state grants.
Invest in high quality tools
Start by choosing a suitable vehicle for your work if you don’t already have one. Then look into tools that will help you provide top quality results. You can buy tools or you can rent them.
Start marketing your business
Marketing is essential for attracting customers. The basics include building a website and social media pages, having an identifiable brand name and having business contact details that you can share (business cards, flyers or vehicle vinyl wraps might help you get extra business).
Hire employees
To help you take on larger jobs, you may need to consider hiring employees. Having a reliable team working for you may even allow you to take on multiple jobs at once. You will need to make sure that you can pay your workers a reasonable wage. Working with an employment lawyer is also recommended to guide you through the legal steps – as already mentioned, you’ll need an EIN number and worker’s compensation insurance, however you may also need to take various compulsory health and safety measures to protect your workers such as providing PPE and safety training. As you grow your workforce, these legal requirements will increase.