26 Dec 2016

It’s a little-known fact that the life of a tradie can be a pretty awesome gig. If you’re passionate about the trade you’re working in, then there are plenty of additional perks that sweeten deal. We asked qualified carpenter Mike Batchelor about the best parts of being on the job in a trade, and he gave us quite a few things to be jealous about…

1. It’s a great way for young people to get into full-time work

What better way to enjoy the novelties and lifestyle of being newly 18 then with plenty of cashola? The amount of hours you work as an apprentice means you’ll be seeing a steady flow to your bank account, a fair bit more than what your mates who don’t have full-time jobs will be seeing.

Money often tends to be a bit scarce for those who choose to go into full-time uni after school, so an apprenticeship can be a financial blessing in the long run (link to Are Trades Better Than Degrees article). Just don’t forget to shout your poorer mates some bevvies every once in a while.

2. The hours mean you can fit more into the day

If you consider yourself an early bird, then a trade is the perfect job for you. Many trades involve early morning starts and early arvo finishes, around three to three-thirty pm. This means you can still make plans for the afternoon – a pleasure that most nine-to-fivers don’t get.

“The fact that my friends were at uni and had days off wasn’t an issue,” said Mike. “As a chippy, finishing at 3pm on the beaches meant I could link with mates after and still spend hours on the beach.”

3. The work is more physical, and you’ll spend more time outdoors

Never felt like you had the time to go to the gym? The perks of many trades is that the work is physically demanding, so you work and workout at the same time (lewl). You won’t have to experience the monotony of sitting at a desk for eight hours straight, barely moving bar the occasional trip to the bathroom with the purpose of, let’s face it, stretching your legs more than anything else.

And to that end, you won’t have to be cooped up in an office all day either. Trade work will often see you travelling to a variety of different sites, both indoor and outdoor. The variety is a great way to stay sane at work. “Actually being outdoors and moving my body freely definitely played a role in my physical and mental health,” said Mike.

4. You can actually see the results of your work.

One of the best job perks of trades is the fact that the results of your work are tangible. You can see what you’ve built or created. It’s a pretty unique feeling that not every job provides, and if you’ve worked hard on something it can be incredibly satisfying to see your labour of love come to life. “There is nothing like stepping back at the end of the day and looking at what you personally built,” said Mike.

Trade work sound like the right thing for you? We have recently teamed up with the Master Builders Association (MBA) NSW to help get you guys into your dream apprenticeship or traineeship. MBA have opportunities in construction, carpentry, plumbing, business admin, landscaping and heaps more. You can check out more information here, and express your interest in an apprenticeship or traineeship for 2017!