Should You Learn a Trade? (2024)

Do you want to work with your hands, produce tangible results, and get paid for your efforts? A career in the Trades could be the right fit for you. With the demand for skilled Trades workers high, learning a Trade could be the start of a long-term career that fits your passion and your life.

The Demand for Skilled Trades Labor is High

If you want a job where satisfaction and demand are high, the Trades can provide both. With older Americans retiring and others leaving jobs during the pandemic, there is a shortage of skilled laborers. States like California that are in the midst of a construction boom have even more need for Trades workers. For example, California is the top employer of HVAC Technicians and it ranks number 2 for the number of welders it employs.

You Can Learn a Trade in Less than a Year

For many Trades, you can begin to acquire the skills you will need in less than a year. An HVAC/R program that you complete in as few as 10 months, for example, can provide you with basic knowledge, technical terms, electrical science, and hands-on lessons in a workshop. Once you graduate from your training program, you can continue learning and gaining experience through an apprenticeship or on your very first HVAC job. While some of your peers work on a four-year degree, you’ll be actually working in your career.

The Trades Offer a Variety of Career Options

If the thought of standing on a factory floor, sitting behind a desk, or working in the service industry is unappealing, a Trades career offers a good alternative. When you work in the Trades, you perform physical tasks that can change from job-to-job and day-to-day. You’re up and active and need to be in pretty good shape. While each day may follow a similar schedule, your work location and duties can vary. For example, if you work in HVAC, you could travel to different homes, commercial buildings, or constructions sites for assignments. You may install an AC system one day and perform basic maintenance the next day. If you work as a welder, you might be on a construction site, a pipeline in the heart of Alaska, or at manufacturing plant.

Start a Satisfying Trades Career

You’ll spend a lot of time at work so you should enjoy what you do. A survey by Angi discovered that work satisfaction among tradespeople is very high—more than 80% of respondents said they were either somewhat satisfied or extremely satisfied with their career selection. When you like what you do, you feel motivated to go to work every day, perform well, and end the day happy and satisfied.

If you’re ready to start a satisfying career in the Trades, contact Charter College today. We offer training in both welding and HVAC/R that can prepare you for entry-level jobs in either trade. Our faculty have experience in the field and are dedicated to helping you succeed. Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more.

Should You Learn a Trade? (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth it to learn a trade? ›

Many skilled trades workers are independent contractors, meaning they work for themselves and make their own hours. This is a huge benefit, as it allows you to be self-employed and set your own rules about the way you run your business.

Why should we learn about trade? ›

The Demand for Skilled Trades Labor is High

If you want a job where satisfaction and demand are high, the Trades can provide both. With older Americans retiring and others leaving jobs during the pandemic, there is a shortage of skilled laborers.

Should I learn more than one trade? ›

Learning more than one trade increases your value and earning potential. If you're ambitious, go for it.

Is learning to trade a good skill? ›

After years of working, the best job or skill for me is trading. For which provides freedom, flexibility and also real values. Becoming a full-time trader with consistent profits means financial freedom and being your own boss.

Is 25 too late to learn a trade? ›

The journey of continuous learning and skill acquisition never ends. Embracing this mindset opens up endless possibilities, making any time the right time to start anew. The stories of countless individuals who've pivoted to new careers around age 25 are a testament to the power of resilience and learning.

Can I learn a trade at 30? ›

It's not uncommon for 30-year-olds to get self-conscious about their age when considering a career change. There's a fear that younger employees might be preferable to employers. You don't have to worry about anything like that in a skilled trade career because 96% of the workforce is 30 or older.

What trade is best to learn? ›

What are some of the best trades to learn that pay well? Some of the best trade jobs that pay well include construction manager, elevator repairer, radiation therapist, and nuclear medicine technologist. Construction managers earn a median annual salary of nearly $105,000 and have a strong job outlook.

What trade is the highest paying? ›

Highest Paying Trades
  • Highest Paying Trades. ...
  • Construction Management – Median salary $98,890 per year. ...
  • Elevator Installers and Repairers – Average journeyman's salary is $97,900 per year. ...
  • Aircraft Mechanics – Average salary $71,115 per year. ...
  • Boilermakers – Range from $58,500 to $84,000 per year.
Apr 29, 2024

Is trading really a skill? ›

To become a trader, an individual will need a background in engineering, maths, or hard science, instead of having only business or finance background. Traders will need both research as well as analytical skills to keep track of day-to-day chart patterns and economic factors that have an impact on financial markets.

Is 29 too old to learn a trade? ›

In fact, many trade jobs come with training programs that will teach you everything you need to know to be successful in the field. And because the skilled trades are always in demand, there are plenty of job opportunities available for people of all ages and experience levels.

What is the hardest trade to learn? ›

What is the hardest trade to learn? Electrical and HVAC trades require intensive technical training, which can be difficult to learn. Electrician schools teach students how to install, maintain, and repair electrical systems.

What is the shortest trade to learn? ›

What is the shortest trade school? Medical assistant programs generally take the least amount of time to complete. Students can finish their training in as little as eight weeks.

Should I just learn a trade? ›

Learning a trade is one of the best ways to pursue a lucrative and fulfilling career path. If this sounds appealing to you, there are many different trades that you can consider in a wide variety of industries. By examining the many trade options available, you can find the best possible trade career for you.

Which trade is best for beginners? ›

Overview: Swing trading is an excellent starting point for beginners. It strikes a balance between the fast-paced day trading and long-term investing.

Why is learning a trade important? ›

Earn a lifetime skill – When you learn a trade, it is for life. Regardless of where you live or where you work, you can take the skill with you. You have the potential to become a master of your craft if you stick with it, allowing not only opportunity for professional growth but personal growth, too.

Is learning trading worth? ›

For many traders, it is important to build a solid education, as it will help in the long term. By learning low-risk trading strategies and good fundamental and technical analysis, you will be able to become more confident, expand your skills, and plan your trades properly.

Is it worth it to get into trading? ›

Key Takeaways. Trading is often viewed as a high barrier-to-entry profession, but as long as you have both ambition and patience, you can trade for a living (even with little to no money). Trading can become a full-time career opportunity, a part-time opportunity, or just a way to generate supplemental income.

Is it worth taking trading classes? ›

The best day trading courses not only give you learning material but also provide communities and leadership to help you learn how to be successful. Day trading can be extremely profitable if you understand the market and develop a strategy. But if you jump into it blind, you have the potential for massive losses.

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