Exploring Careers In Skill Trades

If you have an interest in tools, creating something outrailroad worker spends most of his or her time
of nothing, or possess a knack for building - a career inthrowing back track switches within yards of railroad
the skills trades industry may suit your talents. A tradethat may or may not have a connection to an industrial
occupation involves specific skills that often requireplant, quarry, construction project, or any other location
manual labor. In the United Stares and Canada, millionsthat needs someone to switch cars for loading or
of skilled trade workers find employment in variousunloading of trains. They will also supervise the creation
areas, including auto repair, farming and ranching,and disassembly of trains. This position usually pays an
hairstyling, plumbing, electrical work, printing, forestry,annual salary of $31,479 to $45,386.
and landscaping. A sample of possible careersDrywall Installer
includes:Without a drywall installer - the walls of some homes
Pipefitterwould cease to exist. It is this career that oversees
The assembly and repair of pipe systems that comethe planning, installation, and repair of drywalls, which
in an array of shapes, sizes, and pressures is the maincovers walls, ceilings, soffits, and other parts of
duty of a pipefitter, who is also in charge of makingresidential and commercial structures. A high school
sure pipes are properly aligned and situated as itdiploma or its equivalent is required for one to apply to
pertains to a blueprint or other instructions. In order tothis sort of job where completing an apprenticeship or
begin this career path, a high school diploma or itsundergoing formal training is considered a plus and
equivalent is required. Zero to two years ofsometimes a requirement. The ideal candidate for this
experience within the field (or in a related area) isposition should have around two to four years of
another requirement of this kind of job with a typicalexperience in the field. Drywall installers usually make
salary found between $28,484 and $53,042.between $27,014 and $56,178 a year.
Brick and Stone Mason - AssistantGetting a Skilled Trade Education
The preparation and laying down of concrete blocks,The most common method of education is training and
brick, title, marble, and other related materials becomesapprenticeship, which also ensures the best chances
the responsibility of a brick and stone mason. Onefor securing a position that offers decent wages. An
must become familiar with a variety of tools, includingapprenticeship deals with on-the-job training and
trowels, hammers, chisels, and other hand implements.classroom instruction with programs easily located
A high school diploma or its equivalent is usuallythroughout the United States and Canada.
needed for consideration. Some may have to undergoSkilled trade programs are also plentiful for high school
an apprenticeship or receive formal training in astudents, who may have access to a wide range of
specialty. An employer generally likes an applicant toyouth apprenticeship programs that allows individuals to
possess around two years experience within the field.acquire a skill while still attending high school. Depending
Salaries for this position range between $16,377 andon the employer and career choice, an apprentice may
$36,751.receive pay while gaining work experience, but are
Structural Ironworkersometimes expected to pay fees for various services
In order to create the framework for a building, aalong the way. It is also not uncommon to receive no
structural ironworker is responsible for installing girderspay for apprenticeship training.
and columns. Some employees will also construct andCertain skilled trades require a Certification of
assemble iron and steel material. Reading blueprintsQualification, which states that an individual has passed
and following instructions are important skills toa qualifying exam that proves they are equipped with
possess for this type of job, as you are in charge ofthe proper knowledge of a skilled trade. Community
ensuring proper placement and alignment. A highcolleges also offer skilled trades training programs and
school diploma or its equivalent is required and oneapprenticeships for industrial occupations. Some
may need to complete an apprenticeship in this field.programs consist of a single course while others could
Salaries for this job are found between $34,017 andlast for 15-week sessions to an entire year-round
$48,785.program. Automotive mechanics, machine repair,
Railroad Workerrefrigeration and air conditioning, plumbing, welding, and
Usually, a worker within this field is required tosome engineering are just some of the college
complete specific trade school courses and acquirecourses a student may encounter.
the necessary certifications that come with this job. A