7 reasons for wanting to become a Tradie
What is a Tradie?
Tradesmen, commonly called tradies, are skilled manual workers that specialise in a trade. To become a qualified tradie in Australia, you must find both an employer and a registered training organisation to complete your apprenticeship with. The registered training organisation will ensure that you develop the skills and knowledge required while on the job with your employer.
Tradies include:
- Sparkie (Electrician)
- Chippie (Carpenter)
- Brickie (Bricklayer)
What makes being a Tradie so good?
Here are 7 reasons for wanting to become a tradie:
Job security
Tradies always have been, and always will be, high in demand. While automation and IT are threatening many no-skill and white-collar jobs, qualified tradies will always be required for specialised and even common everyday work. For example, most electrical work has to be completed by a licensed sparkie. If you have a plumbing issue and your house is getting flooded, you will want a plumber onsite ASAP. As such, trades are often seen as recession-proof.
No expensive degree needed
Education cost has been on the rise for a long time, by far outpacing inflation. Many finish university with large amounts of debt. While the debt is pegged to inflation in Australia, it can still take many years (or decades!) before your wage stops being garnished and your debt is paid off. Add to this the sleepless nights studying, and it’s not hard to see how an apprenticeship can be an attractive alternative. Instead, you will be learning on the job, gaining valuable skills and knowledge working alongside experienced tradesmen.
Work flexibility
Once qualified, tradies have the option to set up their own company and work as sole traders. While there is an initial cost to get the business up and ready (need van or ute, tools), being your own boss comes with added flexibility.
No boring cubicle work
As a tradie, you won’t be sitting in front of a computer all day, as the vast majority of work is done at customers premises. You will be on the move and physically active, working with tools and doing what you love.
Wage potential
Your wage will scale with qualifications as well as skills and experience gained on the job. Specialised licenses can be high in demand, which increases your salary potential. Further, many successful companies started as sole traders and grew from there, hiring apprentices, tradespeople and other staff over time.
Travel opportunities
Tradespeople are in demand no matter where you go, as the jobs require physical presence. You can’t outsource electricians or plumbers as you would call centre or IT jobs. With most qualifications being nationally recognised, you can pack up and relocate if needed.
Job satisfaction
Unlike cubicle work, it is easy to see the impact that your work has in the community. Be it infrastructure that you helped build, a renovated house that you worked on, you’ll have a real sense of satisfaction completing projects, knowing that it is being enjoyed by others.
The downsides of being a Tradie
Being a Tradie is not all roses however. According to Safe Work Australia’s Australian workers’ compensation statistics 2018-2019, tradies have significantly higher compensation claims than White Collar professionals. This is mainly due to the nature of the work, as you are more likely to work on construction sites and other high risk workplaces.
As a result, many Tradie qualifications include safety training such as CPCCWHS1001 - Prepare to work safely in the construction industry or HLTAID011 - Provide first aid (mostly referred to as the first aid course).
How to start an apprenticeship or hire apprentices
The government has a great resource on apprenticeships here: https://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
The website not only covers how to become an apprentice as well as how to hire apprentices, but also offers resources such as financial incentives, support networks and more.
Looking for a White Card course to get your Tradie career underway? Book here!