By Jessica Marcotte, Build ON Director
As a newcomer to Canada, a new country may mean a chance for a new career. But of course, most people look for well-paying and in-demand jobs. Usually the assumption is that it requires an expensive university degree. Unfortunately this does not always have the expected outcome than one expects; you may spend time and money earning a university degree and still end up in debt and without a great career!
If you are going through the process of career exploration we suggest checking out opportunities in the skilled trades as you may find exactly what appeals to you. The skilled trades are highly in-demand professions with great potential. Several government initiatives have been passed to recruit new tradespeople since it is estimated that in order to fill the requirements in construction alone, Canada will need more than 75,000 new tradespeople each year for the next three years.
In Canada, skilled tradespeople are highly respected and sought-after for their work. Typically trade jobs pay above the Canadian average and enables an individual the opportunity to become self-employed. A tradesperson may also move around different provinces with a
red seal trade.
About 1 in 6 canadians work in the trades, but yet there is still a huge shortage of skilled tradespeople. Unfortunately this may be due to misconceptions surrounding careers in the skilled trades. One misconception in particular is that opportunities in the skilled trades are limited to options in the construction sector. This is definitely not the case as the skilled trades consist of diverse opportunities and sectors like construction, industrial, motive power and service sectors. These different sectors feature over 150 occupations that you may find appealing, such as hairstylist, Early Childhood Educator, Chef, Millwright, Arborist and so on. Whatever your interest is, from working outdoors to working with heavy machinery, there is a trade for you. It’s a matter of researching and networking with tradespeople in the particular trade to find out more about what they love about their job and the positive and negative aspects in order for you to make an informed decision about if the trade is for you.
There is another incorrect assumption that pursuing a career in the skilled trades is suitable for students who did not do well in school and this, simply put, is not true. Beyond the fact that occupations that fall under the category of skilled trades can provide well-paying opportunities above the Canadian average, the skilled trades also offer a unique opportunity to earn while you learn which is a very attractive notion because it lowers your chances of accumulating debt. Trade workers may also require the use of sophisticated computer software alongside mechanical equipment in order to perform their jobs so there is a degree of essential skills and mental acuity that is required of certain occupations in the skilled trades. For instance, some trades require numeracy an mathematic abilities; the ability to schedule, budget and do some accounting; create or read schematic drawings; mixing chemical ingredients with proper ratios; using computer controlled equipment; identifying and resolving problems; and using critical thinking and memory.
Overall, skilled trades are a great option as a career. Tradespeople are well respected and are able to directly see their efforts as projects move along. For those who enjoy being challenged and see their impact, the trades may be a great career choice. In summary, as a newcomer to Canada you should consider a career in the skilled trades because these opportunities are in high demand, have job security and are respectful well-paying jobs. For more information and help with career exploration, you can contact your Build ON Employment Consultant.