Tradespeople are skilled professionals who possess a high degree of both theoretical and practical knowledge of their trade, be it plumbing, carpentry, electrical, concreting, painting, or bricklaying, to name a few.
Considered one of the more sought-after technical careers in Australia, skilled tradies are rarely out of work. Make no mistake, talented tradies enjoy enviable earning potential. And those with added experience or additional qualifications under their belt are paid even more handsomely.
What is a tradie?
A tradie’s job is tough and is one of the most physically demanding careers available. After all, there’s no cushy air-conditioning to enjoy when you’re working away on a construction site under the harsh Australian sun.
Whether you are considering becoming a sparky, a chippie, a brickie, or any other trade profession, here are nine exciting reasons that may entice you to pursue a career in the trades
1. Affordable education costs
Committing to a trade career means you won’t be burdened with HECS or HELP higher education loans. Instead, as a tradie in training you will get paid to learn the ropes during your apprenticeship, and you will emerge with a great trade qualification – minus a hefty higher education loan to repay.
2. Job security
Trade skills are in high demand, which also means that tradies demand is also high and you will soon appreciate why pursuing an apprenticeship is a great choice. Construction is booming throughout Australia, and there is a rising need for more housing and critical infrastructure throughout most Australian states.
In fact, given the population growth Australia is experiencing – we are now a nation of 26.1 million people – 2023 and the oncoming years will be a great time to pursue a career in the trades.
3. Get paid to train
Tradies get the best of both worlds when it comes to learning their craft. While all apprentices need to learn the theory behind their trade, they spend most of their time gaining hands-on experience in the field.
As a trade apprentice you will spend much of your time on site learning by doing. Better still, you will also be getting paid to learn; it’s a win-win for you.
4. Flexible working hours
Tradies work hard; there’s no denying that. However, tradies also have working hours that may make up and coming white collar professionals green with envy. While early starts may be the norm for tradies, the pay-off is that tradies often call it a day in the early to mid-afternoon.
This means they can spend the mid-afternoon hours making the most of those precious daylight hours. For some, that may mean getting to the golf course for an afternoon nine holes, or a visit to the gym, or to the beach for a surf. And let’s not forget that many tradies are self-employed, meaning they can pick and choose when and where they work because they are their own boss.
5. Multiple career paths
With tradies demand being high, tradies have numerous career paths to choose from. While tradies start out in the field, later in their careers they may be offered managerial positions, in which they may be responsible for running their own crews after grabbing the chance to broaden their scope and skill set.
6. How much do tradies earn and is trade profitable long-term?
A tradie’s wage will scale with their qualifications as they develop new skills and experience on the job. Tradies can complete additional training to earn additional licences, which can increase their earning potential. Further, many successful trade businesses companies started as sole traders and grew from there, hiring apprentices, tradespeople, and other staff over time. So is trade profitable? Well in many cases it certainly can be.
Recommended reading: 10 rules to improve cash flow and increase profit margins for your trade business
7. Travel opportunities
As a general rule, qualified and skilled tradespeople can find work wherever they go. After all, you can’t outsource electricians or plumbers as you would for some white collar jobs. With many trade qualifications being recognised nationally, you can pack up the tools of your trade and relocate if needed, without compromising your trade career.
8. Job satisfaction
When you talk to tradespeople, one of the things they often mention is the very real sense of satisfaction they get from completing a job. It’s not uncommon for tradies to drive around an area or a neighborhood and see the sites that they have had a hand in creating.
It could be a house, landscaping, a commercial premises, an item of machinery or something else; there’s just a real sense of professional pride in knowing that you have built something tangible out of nothing using your trade skills and your sheer ingenuity.
9. Enjoy working in the great outdoors
As a tradie, you won’t be sitting in front of a computer all day, as the vast majority of trade work is done at your customers’ premises. You will be on the move and physically active throughout your day, working with tools and doing what you love.
Reduce your tradie risk with trades insurance* the BizCover way
Regardless of what flavour of tradie career you are considering pursuing, there’s a good chance that you will encounter more than a few risks on the job. Injuries, damaging property belonging to a third-party, or having your tools stolen are real risks that tradies can face every day.
Business insurance for tradesmen (commonly referred to as trades insurance) is business insurance designed to reduce the impact on your trade business when things don’t go to plan. Some common business insurance products that tradies may consider include:
- Public Liability insurance
- Business Insurance
- Portable Equipment insurance
- Professional Indemnity insurance; and
- Personal Accident & Illness insurance
Learn more about how trades insurance can help your trade business get back on its feet sooner when things don’t go to plan.
BizCover makes business insurance simple and quick. How quick, you ask? Compare competitive business insurance for tradesmen quotes from leading Australian insurers and get your trades insurance sorted in 10 minutes. Oh, and there’s no paperwork!
