Trade Jobs

Trade jobs are certainly a career goal of lots of young school leavers as there is no experience needed as on the job training is provided to people looking to learn a trade. In Australia an apprenticeship is needed to become a qualified tradesman. This requires 4 years of on the job training combined with a Tafe course to fully complete your qualifications.

Positives of learning a trade
After learning your trade you have lots of opportunities in terms of employment, whether you want to work for someone or work for yourself and be your own boss. Tradesman generally get paid extremely well after completing their qualifications and can make even more on occasion by working for themselves. There are lots of opportunities to learn a trade as tradesman are in short supply in most areas of Australia. Full time tradesman employed by a company are entitled to sick leave, annual leave and Long Service Leave.

Negatives about trade jobs
First year apprentices get paid very little, in fact the pay doesn't get much better until you have completed your apprenticeship. If you have left home at 16 or 17 then paying the rent and household bills may be next to impossible on a first year apprentices salary so to live at home with your parents whilst doing your apprenticeship would be extremely handy. People who have left school at 16 will continue to go to college for another 4 years (part time). When taking annual leave many tradesmen working for a company must take part of their annual leave when the company closes down over the Christmas holidays or when the company chooses. Apprentice tradesman generally get to do all the jobs the tradesman doesn't want to do whilst learning the trade.

General requirements


Company's looking to employ apprentice's are generally looking for bright young school leavers willing to learn. The successful job seeker must be punctual and starting times in industries which employ apprentice's are quite early.

If your looking to learn a trade you shouldn't be put off by the small wages whilst learning your apprenticeship because most qualified tradesman can make well over 50,000 per annum when they've finished their apprenticeship and job opportunities for tradesman are extremely good.

Most trades jobs are advertised in the paper or at your local centrelink office. If you are keen to learn a trade it's always a good idea to canvass some businesses and leave your resume there. Most large company's take on apprentice's every year so by leaving your resume it will improve your odds.

Some trades that can be learnt are electrician, hairdresser, boilermaker, plumber and carpenter.