Leveraging a trades education
T
he world is starved for
step towards multiple possibilities for a
they will seek a variety of different
skilled worders. Employment
lifelong career.
roles during their working life.
Often people believe if you become
Step 1 is to become a recognized Red
a plumber or electrician that is a life
Seal journeymen in any one of the 40-
choice, and you are limited in your
plus recognized trades available today.
future. Not so.
Journeyman status can be achieved
is guaranteed and the cost for the education is minimal,
often paid for by the employer. Why is there such a short supply of skilled workers? Parents have expressed
in three years with a combination of
concerns that they do not want a life
Trades training is an important first
short academic periods followed by
of physical labour for their children.
step, but it can lead to other careers
on-the-job training. Once a worker has
Counsellors often do not understand
in the trade. We recently identified 20
achieved journeyman status, they can
and appreciate the career options that
various career options once a worker
expect to achieve an annual income in
are open to skilled workers and only
has achieved a basic skill set. Within
the range of $90,000 to $100,000.
present the initial step which is usually
those 20 options are entry-level jobs,
working “on the tools”.
middle management-type positions, as
Trades training can lead to tremendous
well as senior leadership options.
Step 2 is to work to master their trade. No school can teach a journeyman everything; real life experience is
opportunities in not less than 20 other
For the generation of people entering
invaluable. In the field, journeymen will
jobs. Becoming a journeyman is the first
the trades today, it is expected that
work with the newest technology and Alberta School Counsellor / Fall 2022 21
