Fired? Laid Off? Consider a Trade Industry Job

Retraining For Trade Jobs is Often Provided by the Government

Jan 12, 2009 Paym Bergson

The Trade Industry has often been overlooked as a lucrative job. Consider being retrained as a professional tradesperson - courtesy of the government.

For whatever reason, the trade industry is often given a bad rap as a choice for employment. Yet these trained professionals receive an excellent salary, and the satisfaction of a job well done. So what's your hesitation on checking out this employment section? Especially if you've been laid off or fired, your local government probably has a retraining program – to get you trained for free.

Start exploring your alternate options within the trade industry. If you think trade jobs are only for those who are good with their hands, think again. Many trade jobs require not only specialized training, but accreditation within a professional setting – so your brain power is important. Don't dismiss the trade vocation as a simple path – it takes time, schooling, practice and patience – but the rewards are tremendous.

Salary Expectations

Don't think the salary will meet your demands? Average salary for an electrician is $46,000 USD, with a range of $28,000 to $81,000. Plumbing more your venue? Expect an average of $33,000. Obviously, less training and/or experience might mean less salary.*

Training

As more and more companies are experiencing layoffs, the government has stepped in with programs to get more employees back on their feet quickly, and in a new area of employment. In Ontario, the program is called Second Career, and allows for many retraining programs along with financial support. These are not limited to the trades, but includes Tourism, Health and Dental Care, even aircraft maintenance.

Apprenticeship Programs

To work in many of the trades will require you to do an apprenticeship – where the company that hires you actually gives you on the job training. You must work a certain number of hours, and train at a local college for a certain number of hours. Again, your local employment office will help you in this area as well.

Be Informed

Now is the time to start checking out the varying programs to get you back in the workforce. Again, your local employment office is the best place to start. Don't just wait in line; check out those job boards and training boards on your visit. Or visit your State or Province offices online. Being informed is being forearmed – take control and find the best new path for you.

Reference:

* all salaries quoted from Indeed.com Salary Tool as of January 11, 2009. This is an excellent tool to find out what kind of salary you can expect with a particular job title. Specifications allow you to narrow your selection to City as well as job.

The copyright of the article Fired? Laid Off? Consider a Trade Industry Job in Career Advice is owned by Paym Bergson. Permission to republish Fired? Laid Off? Consider a Trade Industry Job in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Bright Idea – Get Retrained in the Trades Industry

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Feb 7, 2009 5:32 PM

Guest :

Most decent paying electrical,electronics,mechanics,machinist,tool and die maker and even engineering jobs are in manufacturing facilities. Most all manufacturing facilities are cutting back and this means electricians and other technical jobs are being cut. The trades industry is also in shambles. I have an associates degree in industrial electricity and another in electronics. With six years in a automotive plant as an electrician and another 4 years in electrical construction its very hard to find work. Recently i was laid off from a automotive supplier, after six years in there electrical department. Eight electricians, twenty five machinist, ten tool and die makers,ten mechanical engineers, twenty maintenance, five plumber/pipe-fitters and three computers/network techs. All of these jobs lost in the past year at one plant. The only possibilities in my area are a few residential electrical jobs, a few state jobs. These pay about 60% less than what I was making. And these few jobs have several qualified candidates interested. To get a job in the electrical or maintenance field in a factory I will have to relocate or drive 50-80 miles one way to work. And usually there are 20 to over 100 resume sent in to every one of these open positions. In a 70mile radius of my home their are over 400 technical workers that are laid off permanently. I know because most everyone went to same technical or community college or served thru an apprentice program together. Trust me this is not the field to be going into. I plan on changing over to the health care field and going back to school. I would think twice on the trade or technical industry. It's a proven fact these jobs are great in prosperous times but there the first to suffer when the economy goes to hell.
Thanks
Laid off Electrician
Louisville KY

Feb 9, 2009 6:29 AM

Paym Bergson :

Thank you for your insights - however, when times are tight, all industries and services will see cutbacks - the idea is if you are skilled in other areas (ie you are a plumber rather than office) you can work in ANY industry that requires plumbing - and all work/buildings/homes do need repairs or maintenace, not just new plumbing. I do feel though that your point is valid - in tight times, other than sales, there is no "safe" employment that will not be affected.
-Paym

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