The Market is Ripe for Learning a Trade

Have you ever looked at a car or house repair bill and wondered if you could save money by fixing those things yourself? Perhaps, you need to learn a trade that can be useful for personal use and even bring in some extra cash?

Skilled tradesmen are actually in demand today and as such so are trades courses. A lot of people are dependent on them to perform certain work. So, even when the economy is down and people are getting laid off work, tradesmen are here to stay.

If you are planning to learn a trade, here are some of the most in demand options:

Plumber As an aspirant, you have to learn about kitchen dismantling and drainpipe clearing among other plumbing skills. You can enroll in a technical school or community college, as well as join an apprenticeship program. Being an apprentice allows you to be familiar with the trade. You will have the chance to work alongside plumbing professionals and receive the necessary training.

Apprenticeship programs generally last for up to five years. When you become an apprentice, you are paid about fifty percent of the regular salary. As you become more experienced, your wage rate increases.

Aside from hands-on training, you are also required to attend lectures in a classroom setting. You need to study mathematics, chemistry, and applied physics. You also have to learn about plumbing codes and regulations in your area.

In most states, plumbers are required to have a license. You can obtain your license by taking an exam and having actual plumbing experience. Once you get your license, you can start a flourishing career. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job opportunities for plumbers are expected to grow up to 16% by 2018.

Electrician So long as there is electricity, electricians will always be in demand. Who else will install, assemble, maintain, and test electrical wires, fixtures, and apparatus? Electricians are needed to diagnose system malfunction, test hand tools and equipment, locate the root cause of a breakdown, and fix the problem. Electricians are also responsible for connecting wires to transformers and circuit breakers, as well as inspecting electrical components and systems.

If you want to be an electrician, you need to undergo training through an apprenticeship program, which can last for four years. You will get paid for your on-the-job training, but you also have to attend classes in a classroom setting. Your wage rate is typically between thirty and fifty percent of the salary of regular electricians. Apprenticeship programs are typically sponsored by organizations, such as the National Electrical Contractors Association.

For every year that you stay an apprentice, you spend at least one hundred and forty-four hours attending classes and two thousand hours doing hands-on work. You need to master blueprint reading, electrical theory, safety regulations, and electrical code requirements among other topics. You may also want to undergo specialized training in fire alarm systems, soldering, and elevators and cranes to increase your chances of getting hired right after you completed the program.

Of course, in order for you to work as an electrician, you need to obtain a license. The requirements for licensing tend to vary by state. Nonetheless, they mostly require passing a written exam in the National Electrical Code, local building and electric codes, and electrical theory. According to statistics, the demand for electricians is expected to increase up to 12% by 2018.

Mechanic Due to the complexities of automotive technology, formal training is necessary. This means that you have to enroll in a school that offers courses in automotives. You can enroll at your local community college or at a technical school. You also need to undergo post-secondary automotive technician training for six months up to one year.

Just like with most tradesmen positions, you have to start working under the supervision of experienced technicians to jumpstart your career. You can work in an automobile dealership or a private company. Even though there is no specific state licensing exam for aspiring auto mechanics, you are still required to obtain an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification to work in the industry.

In order for you to obtain the Automotive Service Excellence Master Automobile Technician certification, you need to pass eight exams. Each one of these exams focuses on a certain specialization, including brake systems and engine repair. According to statistics, the demand for auto mechanics is expected to rise up to 5% by 2018.

If you want to outdo your competitors, you have to acquire as many certifications as you can. Based on such statistics, you can say that blue-collar jobs can be just as good as white-collar jobs. In fact, they might actually be better since they are usually not affected by recessions.