06 Jun 2017

So you want to get a trade eh? Good choice. Not only do apprentices and trainees get paid while they learn, once they’re qualified, the job outcomes are great. In fact, the rate of employment among tradies is much higher than for university graduates. Whatever way you look at it, apprenticeships and traineeships are a good option for those who are keen and interested. So how do you get started?

Here are a few things you can get started on:

1. Choose an industry

Figure out which industry you want to work in. Don’t worry if you don’t feel 100% sure about it–it could always change some time down the track, but it’s good to have an idea of what you want to get into. Do some research, talk to some people who work in the industry you’re looking at and put your feelers out there for jobs.

2. Write a resume

The next step is to gather all the relevant info about yourself and put it into one clear, concise and professional document. If you’re not quite sure how to do that, we’ve published some tips for writing a killer resume, which is how you gain adult status. And here’s some important information about what not to do on your resume.

3. Get your licence

This is probably the simplest and most effective step you can take towards getting an apprenticeship, especially in the traditional construction based trades. Your potential employer will be far more likely to hire you if you can drive to various jobs, pick up materials and run errands in the work car. And if you have your own car, you’re even more desirable to your employer. It’s a safe way of showing that you can reliably get to work on time every morning.

4. Start searching

So you’ve got an industry in mind, you’ve put together a tidy little resume and you’ve got your licence. Now it’s time to start actively looking for an apprenticeship in your local area.

At this point, Apprenticeship Central is a good place to start. You can check their website for job vacancies all over the country. Otherwise, the local newspaper, jobactive organisations, Seek, Group Training Organisations and handing in your resumes to employers are also great places to go!