Celebrate National Skilled Trades Day with a new skill

National Skilled Trades Day is a day of recognition many people observe on the first Wednesday in May. A Youngstown, Ohio, business called City Machine Technologies established National Skilled Trades Day in 2019. The repair shop started this day of recognition during a labor shortage. This day aims to bring awareness to the importance of skilled trades in the United States, particularly to encourage workers to consider a job in one of many growing fields. In fact, the demand for skilled trades continues to grow in the United States.

If you plan to acknowledge National Skilled Trades Day this year, consider building a new skill or finding new skilled employment. While many employers recognize this day with gifts, luncheons, and social media posts, you might find that improving your resume and learning more about skilled trades are excellent ways to celebrate.

What are skilled trades?

Skilled trades are occupations that require specific knowledge and abilities. Many skilled trades are hands-on roles rather than office careers. Common fields in which professional tradespeople work include agriculture, construction, transportation, manufacturing, and service. Some of the most popular roles include electrician, welder, pipe fitter, plumber, and auto service technician. These are some additional skilled trades you might consider:

Carpenter
Farm manager
Greenhouse manager
Train operator
Hairdresser
Metal fabricator
HVAC technician
Building maintenance worker
Baker
Chef
Roofer
Rancher

Formal education is often not required to work in a skilled trade. In some cases, hands-on training or technical school programs are the sole requirements to enter the field. In many cases, skilled trades allow workers to begin a career in just one or two years. Building expertise can help you work in one of these fields, no matter your previous work history or education level. In fact, you might consider transferring to a skilled trade even if you have a college degree.

How to get a job in a skilled trade

One fantastic way to honor National Skilled Trades Day is to decide to get into a trade yourself. While landing a job can be competitive depending on the field you wish to enter, you can improve your odds of finding a job you love by taking these steps.

Attend a trade school

If you’ve never attended a trade school, this is likely one of the first steps you’ll want to take to land a great job. Trade or technical school helps you gain an education and some experience in a field before you start working. Many trade schools take just two years, and some take just a few months. Trade schools may focus on subjects, like plumbing, electricity, culinary arts, massage therapy, welding, and cosmetology.

In some cases, a training program or certification will suffice. You may need to attend just a few courses to begin working in some fields. For example, you can be certified as an ultrasound technician, nurse, or paralegal.

Find an apprenticeship

While looking for a job after graduating from a technical school or completing a certification program, you might want to gain experience working as an apprentice. In this role, you’ll work with a mentor who will help you build skills you can bring to your job. Apprenticeships are often helpful for those interested in fields like farming, fine arts, construction, and body art.

Add skills to your resume

If you’ve taken courses or apprenticeships, ensure your resume reflects your experience. Additionally, make sure your resume is up to date and demonstrates why you’d be a great fit for the role. Once you’ve updated your resume to include skilled trade work, be sure to upload it to CareerBuilder to capture more attention from employers.

Don’t neglect your soft skills

There’s no doubt about it: technical skills are a crucial component of landing a job in a skilled trade. Still, you don’t want to discount the importance of listing soft skills on your resume as well. For example, a potential employer may want to know that you work well in a team or are an excellent problem-solver. Even if you have stellar knowledge related to your trade, it’s important that you also have some communication skills.

“One primary reason to observe National Skilled Trades Day is to inform young people that they can have a promising future in a trade.”

Attend industry events

Another way to celebrate this day and improve your chances of landing a job is to attend industry events. Even if you’re new to a trade or are just considering attending an educational program, it’s a good idea to begin socializing with those who work in the field. You can ask questions and learn about helpful resources. You may even connect with recruiters looking to fill roles you’re already perfect for.

Attend workshops and additional courses

Even if you remember everything you learned in your coursework, you can always brush up on new techniques, regulations, and best practices. You can also attend workshops that focus on job applications and acing interviews. Remember that some fields require continuing education credits, and demonstrating that you’ve continued to attend classes shows that you’re eager to continue learning.

Practice interview skills

Job interviews can be intimidating even if you’re a professional with years of experience in your trade. You might take some time on National Skilled Trades Day to brush up on some interview skills so you can provide the best answers when you’re interviewed for your dream job.

One way to prepare for your interviews is to research the company and the specific role before your meeting. If you can learn about the interviewer, you may be even better off. You can also improve your interview answers by knowing your strengths and using your answers to display them. Anytime you’re given the opportunity to be more specific, take it.

The importance of recognizing National Skilled Trades Day

Right now, the United States is facing a shortage of skilled tradespeople. For every three people who retire from a skilled trade, just one trained worker is ready to fill a position. Additionally, the average age of those who work in skilled trades is 43. A significant portion of those workers will be retiring in the very near future. This shortage can significantly impact skilled labor fields in the coming years.

One primary reason to observe National Skilled Trades Day is to inform young people that they can have a promising future in a trade. While children are often taught about the opportunities a university education can offer, many young people are surprised to learn about skilled trades that offer financial security. Trade training is a solid alternative to college for many new graduates who may not have the funds or desire to attend a four-year university.

Many people have substantial responsibilities when they graduate high school but might not realize that working in a skilled trade could help them take on a new position sooner. When you recognize National Skilled Trades Day, you help bring awareness to these fields. Ultimately, acknowledging this day brings attention and support to those who work in often unrecognized fields.