12 May 2022 | 4 mins
Overview
  • You may have all the gear and somewhat of an idea, but do you want to be recognised as the best in your trade? Surely you do!
  • Getting an apprenticeship is only half the story - read below to find out how to stand out from the crowd of tradies!

You may have all the gear, and somewhat of an idea, but how passionate are you about your apprenticeship or traineeship?

Realistically, the early afternoon knock-offs and cheeky parmi’s are enough to seal the deal. But working as a tradie means more than just that. It requires strategic thinking, problem-solving and working in a team, and you can’t just achieve that through being a good-looking rooster. 

Being an apprentice/trainee is only half the story. To start off your killer career after your apprenticeship or traineeship, we bring you our top five tips and tricks along with our mates from Skills NSW to have your job applications spick and span(ner).

1. Having a positive attitude

Your applications can only go so far on paper. Employers want to know why you’re passionate about what you do, why you’re excited about your trade and where you see yourself in the next few years to come. Plus, nobody wants to work with a negative nancy! Once you get your ducks in a row and come out of your apprenticeship wanting more, a positive attitude should come naturally!

2. Willingness to work and try new things

No two days are the same as a tradie. Sure, your tasks and responsibilities stay the same but a new employer or boss might just throw a spanner in the works! Be open to new things and step up to the challenge, because who knows what doors they might open for you.

3. Complete extra accreditations or formal study after your apprenticeship or traineeship

After your initial apprenticeship, you might want to specialise in certain areas of trades. Want to work on heavy vehicles? You might need an extra credit or certificate. Want to climb the managerial ladder? You might need a bit more study for that. Always suss out your next move!

4. Be open to jobs on the side

If you have the skills and the qualification, why not use it to your advantage? By doing a bit of work for your friends, family and acquaintances you’ve met throughout your trade means you know how to work in different environments outside of the worksite. Winning!

5. Seek recognition and appreciation for your work

We all know just how good it feels to be appreciated and supported throughout your work. At the end of the day, you have the one-up on skills a lot of people don’t have. If your boss or training provider thinks you’re a champ and rates your work, why not suss out the NSW Training Awards? They’ve got awards for apprentices, trainees, VET students, vocational students and a few more - so no matter what stage you’re up to in your apprenticeship or traineeship, they’ve got something to honour your achievements! Imagine having one of those under your (tool) belt. You could become the new face of VET in NSW, or speak at schools and industry workshops to inspire the next gen of tradies! On top of receiving a week of professional development and becoming lifelong mates with other ambassadors, what’s not to get excited about?

Whether you are an all-round experienced legend of a tradie or just starting out, there are a number of ways to stand out from the crowd. If you're looking for more tips and advice, you can drop Skills NSW a line here.