What are skilled trades, and how can I pursue this pathway?
Let’s Begin
This guide is one puzzle piece in your journey toward the future. Use it to explore different pathways, build your confidence, and take one step closer to discovering a career that’s right for you.
Are you someone who likes hands-on work? Do you enjoy building, fixing, or creating things? If so, skilled trades might be the perfect pathway for you!
Skilled trades are an exciting way to turn your passion for practical, hands-on work into a rewarding career. Whether you're interested in building houses, fixing cars, working with machinery, or crafting delicious meals, there’s likely a skilled trade that matches your interests.
Learning Goals
By the end of this guide, you will be able to:
🎯Understand what a skilled trade is
🎯Identify career paths within the skilled trades that match my interests
🎯Recognize the benefits of pursuing a career in skilled trades
🎯Identify the pathways needed to enter the skilled trades
Let’s Learn
🛠️🏗️What are skilled trades?
Skilled trades are careers that involve hands-on work and specialized skills to get the job done. They’re all about using your knowledge and experience to complete tasks that are often physical, practical, and essential to our communities.
Whether building infrastructure, repairing vehicles, or crafting something new, skilled trades combine technical know-how with real-world problem-solving. Most people learn these skills through apprenticeships, gaining hands-on experience while training with a certified expert.
To get a better idea of what skilled trades are all about, check out these quick videos!
🧱❓What types of skilled trades are out there?
Skilled trades workers typically work in one of the following sectors:
Construction: This sector is booming in Canada, offering high-demand careers in both residential and commercial areas. Think electricians, carpenters, plumbers, welders, painters, and more. These jobs are all about building, maintaining, and improving infrastructure.
Transportation: If you’re into vehicles, this is the sector for you. It covers everything from repairing cars and motorcycles to maintaining heavy equipment. Some common jobs include automotive service technicians, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, and motorcycle technicians.
Manufacturing and Industrial: Love working with machinery or crafting parts? This sector includes jobs in manufacturing settings like automotive production and resource extraction. You might work as a tool and die maker, industrial electrician, or metal fabricator. Canada’s resource industry also needs skilled tradespeople for roles like heavy equipment operators or millwrights.
Service: The service sector plays a big role in Canada’s economy, including careers like cooks, bakers, and hairstylists. It’s all about providing skilled, hands-on services to meet people’s needs.
Digital and Information Technology: Many skilled trades now use computer technology for tasks like diagnostics, programming machinery, or keeping digital records. Being tech-savvy is becoming more important in trades work.
🔥🔍What are the in-demand skilled trades in Canada?
Are you wondering which trades have the most job opportunities? Here are some of the most in-demand skilled trades in Canada:
In British Columbia, the most in-demand skilled trades are:
- 🔨 Carpenter
- 💇 Hairstylist
- ⚙️ Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
- 🔧 Steamfitter/Pipefitter
- 🔥 Welder
Many of these high-demand trades are Red Seal trades!
Red Seal trades are skilled trades that are recognized across Canada. Earning a Red Seal endorsement means your certification is valid in any province or territory, giving you the flexibility to work anywhere in the country. It’s like a stamp of approval that tells employers you meet a national standard of excellence in your trade.
To earn a Red Seal, you need to complete an apprenticeship and pass the Red Seal exam. Once you have it, you’ll be known as a Red Seal Certified Journey person, which can open doors to more job opportunities and higher wages.
➕✅What are the benefits of skilled trades?
Choosing a career in skilled trades comes with a lot of benefits! Here are some reasons why this pathway can be a great option for you:
- 🛠️ Job security: Skilled trades are always in demand because they involve essential work, like building, repairing, and maintaining infrastructure. That means you’ll have reliable job opportunities!
- 💰 Good pay: Many skilled trades offer competitive wages, so you can build a stable financial future while doing what you enjoy.
- 🚀 Opportunities for growth: Lots of skilled trades careers let you move up the ladder! You might start as an apprentice and work your way up to a supervisor, manager, or even start your own business.
- 🙌 Hands-on work: If you love working with your hands and seeing the results of your efforts, skilled trades are perfect for you. The work is practical, creative, and rewarding.
- 🌟 Personal satisfaction: There’s something special about being able to point to a building, machine, or project and say, "I helped make that!" Working in trades means making a real impact in your community
🚀🗺️How do I pursue a pathway in skilled trades?
There are a few different ways to get started in the skilled trades, depending on your interests and goals. Here are some of the most common pathways:
Pre-Apprenticeship programs: These programs help you build foundational skills before starting an apprenticeship. You’ll get a mix of classroom learning and hands-on training. Often offered at colleges, some high schools even have dual credit programs that fast-track this process!
Apprenticeships: An apprenticeship combines paid, on-the-job training with mentorship from a certified tradesperson. You’ll gain hands-on experience while learning the skills you need. Click here to see step-by-step information on how to become an apprentice.
College programs: Many colleges offer certificate, diploma, or degree programs in skilled trades. These programs teach you both the theory and practical skills needed for a career in the trades.
University programs: Some universities offer engineering programs that focus on skilled trades areas, like civil or mechanical engineering. These programs tend to be more theory-based but can still lead to practical careers in the trades.
High school courses: Some high schools offer courses in trades like carpentry, welding, or automotive repair. These classes are a great way to get a head start and explore your interests before committing to a formal program.
Explore the BC Skilled Trades Pathway Map!
Ready to see how you can start your journey in the skilled trades? The BC Skilled Trades Pathway Map is a helpful tool to guide you through finding the right pathway. It shows how different routes like apprenticeships, college programs, and high school courses can all lead to a career in the skilled trades.
👉 Click here to explore the BC Skilled Trades Pathway Map!
Take some time to explore the map and think about which pathway feels like the best fit for you. There’s no one right way to start, just the way that works best for you!
I Can Statements
✅ Use the following "I can" statements to check your progress and recognize the skills you're gaining as you develop your knowledge of pathway opportunities.
I can explain what a skilled trade is.
I can identify the in-demand skilled trades in Canada.
I can identify the benefits of choosing a career in skilled trades.
I can describe the different pathways to enter the skilled trades in BC and Canada.
I can use myBlueprint to research skilled trades careers and create a portfolio to showcase my findings.
Digging Deeper
💡Want to know what it’s really like to work in a skilled trade? Hearing directly from people in the field can give you valuable insights!
👉 Watch testimonial videos: Click here to watch some videos of real skilled trades workers sharing their career stories and experiences.
💬 Reflect and discuss: Click here for discussion questions to guide a conversation with a peer, teacher, counselor, or family member.
🌐 Learn more: Visit SkilledTradesBC to explore more career options, training resources, and up-to-date information about trades in British Columbia.
