Careers in the Skilled Trades

Workers are always needed to do jobs that fall into the skilled trades category. These jobs include plumbing, masonry, carpentry, masons, plasterers, painters, glaziers, and any of the building trades. With more construction projects underway with a demand for more residential and commercial buildings, there is an increase in jobs for those who are trained in skilled trades.

A skilled tradesman or tradeswoman must undergo hands-on training and have experience in their field, so they can ensure that they do the job properly and to specification. To be a skilled tradesperson, one usually goes to a trade skill or vocational skill to get the needed skills. These are jobs that once required an apprenticeship to get into the field.

Other skilled trades include riggers, heavy equipment operators, electricians, general maintenance and repair workers, CNC machine tool operators and programmers, machinists, and many other jobs.

The Outlook

Job growth in the skilled trades is higher than in the workforce in general and these jobs also have higher than average salaries. If you have graduated high school, or if you have served in the military and you are now looking for a career, a job in the skilled trades could offer you a rewarding career. There are dozens of options, so there is bound to be a job in a field that interests you.

Getting The Proper Training

Associated Training Services (ATS) offers hands-on training in the construction and heavy equipment industry. Since 1959 the school has trained many workers to take on jobs in the skilled trades. Training programs prepare students for jobs in these fields:

• Crane operators
• Riggers
• Signalperson
• Heavy equipment operators
• Truck driver training
• Directional drillers

ATS offers financial assistance and participates in the GI bill. ATS has two national third-party credentials through the National Center for Construction Education & Research and the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators. To learn more about the programs, call (800) 383-7364 today.