You might have heard recently of the phenomenon known as “the great resignation” where during the initial shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, people simply didn’t return to work when they were called back. And this trend has caught on around the country.
All across the nation, people are reevaluating their lives and their worth. And this has resulted in a large number of people entering new industries and starting new careers.
One career path that you may or may not have considered is that which involves trade work. And believe it or not, with the major shortage of blue-collar and skilled trade workers, this is an industry just begging for people to come work.
But how do you jump into this industry? And what are the benefits if you do?
If you’re ready to explore life as a contractor, the following will provide the steps to get you there.
Education
The great thing about the contracting business is that you don’t need 8 years of schooling in order to get your foot in the door. In fact, even with on-the-job training you can build a career off of the skills you learn.
Most contractors possess a variety of useful skills, and all of these add to the value that they bring to the job. A few of these skills are as follows:
- Proficient mathematical skills
- Adept at design
- Drafting skills
- Ability to read and craft blueprints
- Understanding of modern systems of measurement
- Understating of complex structures
Any contractor who possesses a college degree in industrial design or engineering certainly holds a great deal of earning power. But if you really want to get your feet wet in the trade, learning on the job and continuing your education is the best path to begin on.
Get Licensed
If you want to be taken seriously as a contractor, you’ll need to get licensed in the specific trade that you’re specializing in. And whether this is HVAC, plumbing, electrical work or construction, each sector of the trade industry has its own licensing requirements.
Becoming a legitimate contractor also has many other perks as well. In fact, in most states you have to be licensed in the trade if you want to work on jobs over a specified dollar amount.
For example, if you want to do odd-jobs around town or for friends, you likely won’t need licensing. But if you want to run a legitimate business, or establish authority within your community, you’ll definitely need to be licensed and certified.
Once you’re officially licensed, you can then broaden your sphere and move beyond the confines of your community. And this will open even bigger doors for your career.
Continue Your Education
It’s often said that you can never learn enough in any career that you choose. That said, there’s always room to learn. And with the advancement of technology in the construction space today, there’s plenty to keep updated with.
Once you’ve learned the ropes and acquired your license, and once you’re comfortable with your skills, you might consider crossing over into complementary industries.
For example, if you’re a construction contractor and you want to step your game up, you could branch out by learning electrical work or plumbing. And once you've mastered these skills, you’ll definitely hold a sharper edge over your competitors.
Even if you’ve spent years on the job and you’re happy with your career, you can always go to trade school or college and attain a certificate or a degree within your field. No matter what it is, the more verifiable expertise you have, the better positioned you’ll become.
The country might be shifting gears as a whole when it comes to the work we do and the lives we live. But landing a job that truly allows you to embrace your skills and enjoy your work can be simplified if you know where to look, even if it’s in the trade industry.. And you never know until you try.
