- Key Takeaways
- Reasons to Consider a Tradesperson Career
- Tradesperson Shortage
- Lucrative Pay
- Greater Potential
- Take Advantage of the Opportunities Available
- Rethinking Career Paths Beyond Four-Year Degrees
- Why Skilled Trades Are Surging Right Now
- Earnings, Upskilling, and Entrepreneurial Upside
- Practical Steps to Start Without Heavy
Debt - Future-Proofing
Skills for a Building and Energy Boom - Next Steps
- Final Words
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Last Updated on August 26, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Strong Demand: Skilled-trade shortages and infrastructure growth fuel steady openings, faster
hiring , and reliable pipelines compared with saturated white-collar tracks in law, accounting, and similar professions. - Lower Education Costs: Paid apprenticeships and short programs minimize tuition and
debt while building early income, practical experience, and industry-recognized credentials employers trust for advancement. - Competitive Earnings: Over time, specialty certifications and union or merit-based ladders raise wages; many trades match or exceed degree-requiring roles across an entire career.
- Mobility and Upside: Portable licenses, recognition of prior learning, and small-business paths enable interstate opportunities, niche specialization, and long-term independence with diversified revenue streams.
- Get Started Smart: Compare specialties, confirm local licensing steps, attend
hiring fairs, and pursue pre-apprenticeshiptraining to accelerate placement into paid, growth-oriented roles.
Recently, societal trends suggest that younger generations perceive a future that’s better secured through careers requiring university degrees, such as medicine, accounting, or law. In essence, they’re dedicating over three years of their lives and accumulating substantial
The outcome? An excess of professionals in these highly competitive white-collar fields, contrasted by a nationwide scarcity of skilled trade workers, amidst a surge in construction. In this blog, we explore why our prevailing attitudes may not be in the best interests of our children and why now could be the ideal time to consider a career as a tradesperson.
In Skilled Trade Careers: Carpenters, 3rd through 5th graders read about what it takes to be a carpenter, including what they build, interesting tools they use, safety rules they follow, and training and education needed.
Reasons to Consider a Tradesperson Career
- Less student debt
- High demand for skilled tradespeople
- Opportunity for entrepreneurship
- Potential for higher earnings
- Job satisfaction through tangible results
- Continual skill development
- Hands-on work experience
- Flexibility in career options and specialization
- Strong job security and stability
- Contributing to essential industries and infrastructure
Tradesperson Shortage
Every year, thousands of tradespeople across the country relocate, transition into new industries, or retire. To keep up with the demand placed on these industries by our growing population, a constant stream of new entrants is needed to follow them. However, according to recent statistics, apprenticeship numbers dropped by 2.9% compared to the prior year. This is due to several factors, including:
- The COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to a sharp decline in economic activity, resulting in job losses in many industries, including the trades.
- The rising cost of
college . The cost ofcollege has been rising steadily for many years, making it more difficult for students to afford acollege education. - The increasing demand for skilled workers. The demand for skilled workers is increasing in many industries, including the trades. This is due to several factors, including the aging workforce, the increasing complexity of technology, and the expanding global economy.
Regrettably, the surge in applicants for white-collar jobs doesn’t align with societal demand. As a result, intense competition ensues, compelling individuals to accept unpaid roles just for a chance to enter the field. Conversely, the dwindling number of apprentices in trade industries benefits from ample job opportunities, accompanied by impressive salaries.
This Handbook offers condensed information, career tips, examples of successful tradesmen, and resources.
Lucrative Pay
Irrespective of the chosen trade industry, significant skill and
The outdated notion of tradies toiling in the dirt for meager pay no longer holds. Thanks to the soaring demand, the average tradie now earns approximately $60.88 per hour, with top earners reaching the high $90s. These figures can rival the earnings of doctors and lawyers. As introductory economics dictates, demand always emerges victorious.
“Do you like building or fixing things? Are looking for a way to fast-track your career and have no interest in a four-year degree program? If this sounds like you, then maybe you should consider a tradie” – Kick-Start Your Career
Greater Potential
Geographical regulations, standards, and legislation bind many professions requiring university degrees. The job requirements in one state, for instance, may differ from those in another. Consequently, relocating and seamlessly transitioning into similar roles across the country or internationally often necessitates extensive re-training.
In contrast, tradies operate under specific geographical rules but enjoy greater ease in acquiring qualifications and licenses both interstate and worldwide. This is facilitated by recognition of prior learning programs and universal practices. Furthermore, the longer one remains in the trade industry, the more opportunities arise, including international travel, entrepreneurship, or the ability to be selective when choosing clients.
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Take Advantage of the Opportunities Available
As Australia and the world stand poised for the next generation entering the workforce, it’s crucial to pragmatically assess the profession that best aligns with your talents and future goals. The uncertainties surrounding university degrees and the abundant opportunities in trade careers have never been more apparent. This could be the ideal moment to embrace change and explore new possibilities.
Rethinking Career Paths Beyond Four-Year Degrees
Many families still assume that a university education is the safest route to stability, yet the labor market tells a more nuanced story. White-collar pipelines in saturated fields often extend timelines and
In Skilled Trade Careers: Carpenters, 3rd through 5th graders read about what it takes to be a carpenter, including what they build, interesting tools they use, safety rules they follow, and training and education needed.
Why Skilled Trades Are Surging Right Now
Skilled trades are benefiting from sustained demand across housing, transportation, utilities, and advanced manufacturing. Retirements outpace new entrants, and large projects—from grid modernization to data center builds—require electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and carpenters. Apprenticeships provide paid, structured pathways into licensed roles with clear progression, while certifications are transferable across employers. For graduates and career switchers alike, this combination of predictable demand, faster entry, and real earnings potential makes trading one of today’s most resilient career options.
- Strong Demand: Major projects in housing, energy, and infrastructure keep order books full, supporting steady work and predictable schedules across multiple regions and sectors.
- Earn While You Learn: Apprenticeships combine paid work with classroom instruction, reducing the need for loans while providing practical experience under the guidance of licensed professionals.
- Portable Credentials: Industry certifications and licenses enhance mobility between employers and locations, improving bargaining power and long-term career security.
- How-To Find Openings:
Search current apprenticeship opportunities using the apprenticeship finder to locate paidtraining roles that match your interests and location.
Whether you're a seasoned professional in search of a career change or a beginner just entering the working world, you want to make the right choices from the beginning.
Earnings, Upskilling, and Entrepreneurial Upside
Trade careers increasingly reward advanced
Practical Steps to Start Without Heavy Debt
Entering a trade doesn’t require years of tuition before earning a living. Begin by exploring specialties, understanding licensing requirements, and identifying prerequisites in your state. Pre-apprenticeship programs can help build foundational
Want to think out of the box? Want to change your perspective on your future? Feeling ambivalent about going to college and going into debt? Then join the world of alternative thinking, risk-taking, adventure seeking, and change.
- Choose a Specialty: Compare day-to-day tasks and environments—such as indoor service calls, commercial sites, or industrial settings—to find the one that matches your strengths and preferences.
- Prep Smart: Consider taking short pre-apprenticeship or safety courses to strengthen your math, blueprint basics, and tool handling
skills before interviews. - How-To Explore Roles: Use O*NET OnLine to review
skills , typical duties, and wage ranges for trades you’re considering. - Network Locally: Attend
hiring fairs, visit shops, and ask for ride-alongs to see real workflows and demonstrate interest to potential mentors.
Future-Proofing Skills for a Building and Energy Boom
Trades are evolving with technology: diagnostics software, building information modeling, drones for inspection, and high-efficiency systems are now everyday tools. Electrification and sustainability trends—such as heat pumps, EV charging, solar integration, and intelligent controls—create new demand for well-trained technicians. Professionals who pair craftsmanship with digital fluency can command premium rates and lead complex installations. As codes modernize and incentives shift projects forward, continuous learning ensures relevance, broadens project eligibility, and positions skilled workers to supervise teams and manage higher-margin scopes.
Examining the link between job contacts and social structure, Granovetter recognizes networking as the crucial link between economists studies of labor mobility and more focused studies of an individual's motivation to find work.
Next Steps
- Assess Fit: Identify interests, physical tolerances, and preferred environments; shadow a professional and review day-in-the-life videos to validate motivation, expectations, and long-term satisfaction.
- Confirm Requirements: Check state licensing rules, apprenticeship entry criteria, and employer prerequisites like driver’s license, background checks, OSHA-10, or drug screening to prevent surprises during onboarding.
- Skill Prep: Strengthen measurement, algebra, and blueprint basics; practice tool safety; complete a short pre-apprenticeship to earn recognized credentials and improve placement odds with reputable programs.
- Apply & Network: Target registered apprenticeships and established contractors; attend
hiring fairs, bring a concise resume, and request ride-alongs to demonstrate reliability, initiative, and coachability.
Final Words
Choosing a skilled trade can compress the path from
This Handbook offers condensed information, career tips, examples of successful tradesmen, and resources.
Mark Fiebert is a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
