A man is doing electrical works part of a training program for aspiring electricians.
If you’ve ever considered entering a skills-based workforce that turns specializations into jobs, you’ve considered becoming a tradesperson. By choosing a career as a skilled worker, you choose to earn wages as you learn your craft as an apprentice, a hands-on learning experience outside of the classroom, and lucrative career prospects.
But how do you choose which trade you want to pursue? This guide can help you self-assess and decide which path is right for you.
• Construction
Examples: electrician, mason, HVAC technician, pipelayer
Personality fit: Adaptable, logical, strong mechanical aptitude, problem-solving skills
Required certifications: An Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-Hour certification is required for all entry-level workers, while the OSHA 30-Hour certification is required for supervisors, foremen, and safety directors. Many construction-based trade roles require certain specific certifications or licenses, which are obtainable after gaining the required amount of field experience, a passing score on a trade exam, and proof of employment.
Time to employment: A general entry-level laborer or helper can be employed in 1-2 weeks, while entering a high-paying trade apprenticeship takes typically 3-4 years to complete.
• Medical
Examples: paramedic, ultrasound technician, dental hygienist, pharmacy technician
Personality fit: compassionate, detail-oriented, adaptible, level-headed
Required certifications: Credentials are role-specific, but all include specialized training and certifications.
Time to employment: Fast-track certificate programs can have a medical trade worker employed in less than a year, while associate degrees requite more specialization and can take up to two years.
• Industrial
Examples: mechanic, welder, machinist, metal fabricator
Personality fit: strong mechanical aptitude, problem-solver, independent, detail-oriented
Required certifications: Certifications vary by specialization, but baseline requirements usually include an OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour certification for safety.
Time to employment: The transition to employment takes around 6 months to 2 years for initial training, followed by rapid job placement due to high demand. Certificate programs take around 6-12 months, while associate degrees take up to two years. Union and non-union apprenticeships take 3-5 years to complete.
• Creative
Examples: painter, carpenter, hairdresser, chef
Personality: imaginative, detail-oriented, independent, tactile
Required certifications: Many creative trades require no certifications, with a few exceptions. In order to work legally as a hairdresser in Pennsylvania, you need an official cosmetologist or barber license.
Time to employment: Vocational trade programs typically lead to jobs in 6-18 months, while creative trade workers who are self-employed often need to build a professional portfolio for up to two years before getting hired.
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