Information for Parents
While you might be encouraging your kid to go to college, there’s another option you may not have considered: promising careers in the skilled trades. Today’s tradespeople are using technology in ways we never would have dreamed, they’re making great money and establishing lifelong careers. Here are 10 reasons why you should encourage your high schooler to enter the skilled trades after graduation:
1. Trade School is Less Expensive Than University
While the average price of a university education in Manitoba is $5,000 to $8,000 per year for tuition alone, trade school is just $6,000 to $7,000 total for a certificate of completion of Level 1 apprentice and is completed in 10 months. University tuition doesn’t factor in extras such as housing and textbooks. Trade school is short enough that students don’t typically require long-term housing. Several high schools in Manitoba also offer automotive repair programs as part of their high school diploma. Those students are ready to enter the work force as an apprentice without any additional costs.
2. They Can Start Working (and Earning Money) Quickly
Most students finish trade school in as little as 10 months, and in between apprenticeship levels, they engage in paid, on-the-job training. After a few months in school, your teen could be earning money while gaining valuable work experience.
3. Location, Location, Location
Something to consider when choosing a trade is the environment you will be working in. One of the great things about a career in auto repair is that you get to work indoors at the same location every day. No working outdoors in the rain, extreme cold or extreme heat. No confined spaces, construction sites or extreme heights when working on vehicles.
4. Most Skilled Trades Work Comes with Benefit Packages
In addition to the excellent pay, most companies in the automotive industry offer benefits with their compensation packages.
5. Feel a Sense of Accomplishment Every Day
Encouraging your child to get into a trade means encouraging them to invest in a career that allows them to feel a sense of accomplishment each day and see tangible results of a job well done.
6. The Sky’s the Limit When it Comes to Job Growth
Entering a skilled trade means committing to several levels of an apprenticeship before becoming a licensed journeyperson. That means that as soon as your child starts their career, they’re in line for several promotions (and pay raises), provided they complete their schooling and work experience at each apprenticeship level. Once they become a journeyperson, there’s still plenty of growth opportunities. And your Journeyperson certificate is recognized nationally. While the average pay for skilled tradespeople varies depending on their experience and skill level, the trades usually offer a competitive starting salary with minimums for apprentice wages dictated by the Manitoba Government. After achieving Journeyperson status, following a 2 to 4 year apprenticeship, annual wages often exceed $100,000 per year.
7. There’s Room for Everyone in the Skilled Trades
The skilled trades have plenty of opportunities for women, men and minorities looking for long-term work. In fact, by 2028, it’s predicted that there will be more than 300,000 job openings in the skilled trades in Canada.
8. They Can Choose a Job They Love
There are plenty of choices when it comes to working in the skilled trades. From construction worker to painter to welder, there’s a job for just about every interest and skill level.
9. They’ll Receive Safety Training
Skilled trades may sound like a dangerous career, but in most cases, workers receive continuous safety training and certifications to ensure that they’re working safely and within their industry’s regulations.
10. Some Skilled Trades are Close to Recession-Proof
Careers in the automotive trade are not going anywhere anytime soon, and even in a substantial economic downturn, there’s always demand for skilled laborers who can work in this specialty areas. Even during the Covid pandemic, auto repair was considered an essential industry.
1. Trade School is Less Expensive Than University
While the average price of a university education in Manitoba is $5,000 to $8,000 per year for tuition alone, trade school is just $6,000 to $7,000 total for a certificate of completion of Level 1 apprentice and is completed in 10 months. University tuition doesn’t factor in extras such as housing and textbooks. Trade school is short enough that students don’t typically require long-term housing. Several high schools in Manitoba also offer automotive repair programs as part of their high school diploma. Those students are ready to enter the work force as an apprentice without any additional costs.
2. They Can Start Working (and Earning Money) Quickly
Most students finish trade school in as little as 10 months, and in between apprenticeship levels, they engage in paid, on-the-job training. After a few months in school, your teen could be earning money while gaining valuable work experience.
3. Location, Location, Location
Something to consider when choosing a trade is the environment you will be working in. One of the great things about a career in auto repair is that you get to work indoors at the same location every day. No working outdoors in the rain, extreme cold or extreme heat. No confined spaces, construction sites or extreme heights when working on vehicles.
4. Most Skilled Trades Work Comes with Benefit Packages
In addition to the excellent pay, most companies in the automotive industry offer benefits with their compensation packages.
5. Feel a Sense of Accomplishment Every Day
Encouraging your child to get into a trade means encouraging them to invest in a career that allows them to feel a sense of accomplishment each day and see tangible results of a job well done.
6. The Sky’s the Limit When it Comes to Job Growth
Entering a skilled trade means committing to several levels of an apprenticeship before becoming a licensed journeyperson. That means that as soon as your child starts their career, they’re in line for several promotions (and pay raises), provided they complete their schooling and work experience at each apprenticeship level. Once they become a journeyperson, there’s still plenty of growth opportunities. And your Journeyperson certificate is recognized nationally. While the average pay for skilled tradespeople varies depending on their experience and skill level, the trades usually offer a competitive starting salary with minimums for apprentice wages dictated by the Manitoba Government. After achieving Journeyperson status, following a 2 to 4 year apprenticeship, annual wages often exceed $100,000 per year.
7. There’s Room for Everyone in the Skilled Trades
The skilled trades have plenty of opportunities for women, men and minorities looking for long-term work. In fact, by 2028, it’s predicted that there will be more than 300,000 job openings in the skilled trades in Canada.
8. They Can Choose a Job They Love
There are plenty of choices when it comes to working in the skilled trades. From construction worker to painter to welder, there’s a job for just about every interest and skill level.
9. They’ll Receive Safety Training
Skilled trades may sound like a dangerous career, but in most cases, workers receive continuous safety training and certifications to ensure that they’re working safely and within their industry’s regulations.
10. Some Skilled Trades are Close to Recession-Proof
Careers in the automotive trade are not going anywhere anytime soon, and even in a substantial economic downturn, there’s always demand for skilled laborers who can work in this specialty areas. Even during the Covid pandemic, auto repair was considered an essential industry.
More Information
For more information, contact the ATA:
ata@atamb.ca
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