Look around and you’ll see construction works everywhere, from buildings and homes to bridges, tunnels, roads, schools, hospitals, and factories. These projects involve building brand new works and the refurbishment of old buildings, as well as specialised jobs for people’s homes. This industry is well suited to those that value hard manual work and technical knowledge over classroom smarts. It’s a huge area of employment too, and the National Skills Shortage means there’s always heaps of jobs available that pay very well.

WILL IT SUIT ME?

If you like practical jobs that get you working with your hands, then trade jobs are perfect for you. Trade work gets you on your feet and moving, will often see you working outside and potentially even travelling between different locations and work sites for a change of scenery. Everyday is different in a trade, because the things you’re working on are forever changing, and it’s always satisfying to create and complete something with your own two hands.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

In order to work in a trade role, you will usually have to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship to get the necessary qualifications. An apprenticeship or traineeship will award you a Cert III, Cert IV or Diploma in a certain industry, and from there you are qualified to work on site, or even start your own business in your trade. If you want to take your trade even further, you can also get a bachelor's degree, which could give you access to more senior positions in your industry. On the other hand, unqualified labour work doesn’t require you to have any form of certificate, and you will usually be trained on the job. However, you may need a certificate that allows you to work on a construction site. These kinds of certificates can be done very quickly and often online.

WHAT SKILLS WILL I LEARN?

Whether you’re in a role that is technical, non-technical, physical or non-physical, you’ll learn:

• How to operate tools and machinery safely.
• Building and mechanical knowledge.
• Ability to draw, read and understand plans.
• Written and verbal communication.

There are a lot of benefits to working in a trade industry, namely the lifestyle which will often see you working outside and staying active with manual labour. Changing job sites will mean your office is never in one place, which can be great for the restless ones among us. While apprentices aren’t paid much while they are studying, once you are a qualified tradie you have the potential to earn some decent coin depending on what you do. Some tradies earn even more than uni graduates. You’ll also have the option of starting your own business, so you’ll be in charge of your earnings. Sounds pretty lush.