Overview of Trades / Crafts

Editor’s note – As used within this Career Stories Project, ‘profession’ and ‘trade’ have the same meaning when (1) the worker is dedicated to continuous learning about ‘best practices’ to perform that type of work and (2) uses his or her best efforts every day to produce the best result. 

The only differences are: 

(A) Most professions require education degrees (Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate) beyond a high school diploma. While it is possible to undertake many trades without additional, formal education, commencing many trades requires post high school education, such as on-the-job training or vocational school; and

(B) If the trade involves heavy lifting or climbing high, workers may eventually experience physical limitations in their ability to perform all the duties of the trade. 

The earning potential of many trades is equal to or more than some college graduates.  

TRADE DEFINED

A trade is defined as “a skilled job, typically one requiring manual skills and special training.” 

REQUIREMENTS TO BEGIN A TRADE

Many trades provide on-the-job training, or you can enroll in a vocational school. Some unions offer paid training programs. 

EXAMPLES OF ‘TRADES’ (list is far from all-inclusive)

AIRCRAFT

• Aircraft mechanic – usually these skills are acquired at a technical school which is Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified
• Baggage handler – load and unload packages and cargo of various sizes and weights to and from aircraft
• Security – typically employed by Federal Government’s Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) after training, at airports to utilize judgment and technology to search for hazardous / prohibited items and deal with unruly people whose conduct is a threat to safety / welfare of travelers

ARTISTRY

• Graphic designer – expresses ideas artificially through brochures, logos, packaging, magazines, or other marketing materials; uses hands and software

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL WORK SETTINGS – INDOOR AND OUTDOOR

• Carpenter – this trade is generally divided into ‘rough’ (e.g. builds framing) and ‘finish’ (very precise corners and molding) carpentry; able to life and move quantities of wood; understand best uses of different types of wood; in addition to sawing and installing wood, must be able to dig and poor footings; 

• Electrician – learning curve may involve an apprenticeship lasting up to 4 years; install, maintain, and repair electrical components, wiring and controls

• Painter – understand different types of paint (e.g., latex, oil), and surfaces (e.g., wallboard, wood, stucco, fiberglass) for best adherence; prepare indoor and outdoor surfaces; requires a ‘steady hand’ and ability to work from ladders and in confined spaces

• Pest Control (Exterminator) – work with toxic chemicals, often on ladders and within confined spaces

• Pipefitter / steamfitter – take advanced blueprints for residential, commercial, and industrial construction and turn them into reality; such craftsmen utilize skills including cutting, threading, or hammering pipes to specifications, as well as assembly through welding, soldering, or threading joints

• Plumber – install, repair, and maintain plumbing systems, using a variety of hand tools and a ton of know-how

• Power Washing – able to move equipment up ladders and work on uneven surfaces to power wash roofs, gutters, siding, walkways; must understand which power velocity is best for each surface plus types of approved chemicals

• Real estate appraiser – provide unbiased, objective estimate of the value of land and building

• Roofer – able to climb ladders and work high above ground on uneven surfaces to remove and replace roofing materials; proficiency in math to prepare estimates and order materials; able to work with different types of roofing materials including asphalt, wood, tiles, slate, and metal

• Welder – reads and interprets blueprints, diagrams, and engineering drawings; measures and cuts materials; assembles or fabricates mechanical parts, pieces and products using a variety of tools and equipment per specifications

HEALTHCARE

• Cardiovascular tech – operate special imaging equipment to diagnose heart and blood vessel problems; work closely with doctors and surgeons, managing everything from electrocardiograms (EKGs) to cardiovascular ultrasounds to help map a complete picture of a patient’s heart

• Dental hygienist – skilled in preventive oral care and working under the supervision of a dentist to clean teeth, take X-rays, examine mouths for disease and provide advice on good oral health

• Medical sonographer – trained in the application of special equipment using high-frequency sound waves to generate images of structures within a patient’s body

• MRI tech – operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner to create complex, 3D scans of a specific part of a patient’s body; often based in hospitals, radiology centers or outpatient care centers

• Radiology tech – perform diagnostic imaging procedures such as X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans to look inside the human body

• Respiratory therapist – use a variety of tests to measure both lung capacity and blood oxygen levels; develop plans to help treat diseases of the lungs and airways

INDOOR (mostly)

• Boilermaker – install, maintain and repair closed vats, boilers and other containers which store gases and liquids; often have inspection skills, allowing them to identify potential defects before they become problems

• Civil engineering tech – assist with the design of commercial, industrial, and residential infrastructure projects through analyzing blueprints, estimating costs, evaluating site conditions, and ensuring projects meet design specs and codes

• Elevator mechanic – repair, install, maintain elevators; sometimes work on other types of people-oriented transport such as moving walkways and escalators

• Home and building inspector – inspect structures, improvements, and repairs to make sure they are done properly and safely, according to local building code requirements; during training, learn about a wide variety of systems including plumbing, electrical, HVAC and more, including building techniques and construction methods

• Housecleaner – lifts and moves furniture, appliances and rugs; uses ladders; cleans entire household, including bathroom facilities (sinks, showers, toilets, floors); understands proper use of chemicals for cleaning different surfaces (e.g., ovens, bathtubs, shower doors)

• HVAC technician – skills learned in a trade school then on-the-job; install, repair, and maintain heating, cooling, and ventilation systems

• Millwright – primary duties include assembling, maintaining, and repairing a wide range of equipment, mainly industrial machines, which might involve dismantling and moving them

• Nuclear technician – ensures that nuclear reactors and other related equipment are operated safely and efficiently; monitor radiation levels and performance of nuclear power plant systems; may also repair and maintain equipment

• Power plant operator – manage and maintain equipment required to generate electricity; equipment may be fueled by coal, gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectric energy, wind, or solar power

LAW ENFORCEMENT

• Constable / Deputy Sheriff – often encounters armed / dangerous people and circumstances while serving legal process (e.g., arrest warrants, eviction notices, Court Orders) and transporting prisoners between jail / prison and courtrooms

• Criminal investigator – gather facts to solve crimes; works indoors with technology and outdoors, in the ‘field’ (crime scenes)

• Police officer – prevent and investigate crimes, enforce laws, and respond to emergencies; testify in court; must be patient to patrol via foot, car or perhaps horse

MANAGERS

• Construction manager – oversee projects and supervise a variety of tradespeople; create plans, set budgets, monitor timelines, assess deadlines, and keeps the team moving; usually requires some construction experience and a few college-level courses in areas like business, accounting, or construction management

OUTDOOR WORK SETTINGS (mostly)

• Cable / fiber optics tech – sometimes called cable installers; design, install, operate, maintain, and repair telecommunication networks; must like to work outdoors without fear of heights or confined spaces

• Electrical powerline technician – also called power utility technicians, electrical powerline technicians focus on ensuring that homes, businesses, and everything else has access to electricity; install, maintain and repair high-voltage power lines, at times by climbing power poles and standing in cherry pickers; requires flexibility to respond to emergencies 23/7 and during severe weather

• Geological and petroleum technician – requires math skills and being ok with dirty hands; install equipment, collect, and test samples, record data and create a range of reports; usually requires an Associate’s degree

• Heavy equipment mechanic – inspect, maintain, and repair excavators, cranes and other large vehicles used in construction, farming, mining and transportation; skills used include computerized tools to diagnose problems; become knowledgeable in engine components and systems

• Landscape architect – design outdoor spaces, ranging from parks to business courtyards to residential backyards; usually requires a Bachelor’s degree and a license

• Rotary drill operator – operate various drills, specifically those that reach and remove oil and gas from the ground; most education is obtained from on-the-job training

• Solar photovoltaic installer – install and maintain solar power systems; requires willingness to work on roofs, not all of which are flat

• Tree Surgeon – able to differentiate trees and tree diseases; required to climb high on ladders or with ropes and work high using leg spikes or from a power bucket; often work near high energy power lines; understand effect of trimming one side of a tree, upon the remainder

• Truck driver – see the country while enjoying the open road; even after required training, must be vigilant to avoid accidents while maneuvering and driving rigs with heavy trailer loads; able to read maps to avoid bridges and tunnels which cannot accommodate your tractor / trailer; may involve loading and unloading cargo; may require driving through difficult weather conditions to maintain schedule; ‘over the road’ drivers are away from home many consecutive days and nights

• Wind turbine technician – install, repair, and maintain turbines; requires willingness to work on top of a tower high above ground level

TECHNOLOGY

• Electronics technician – under supervision of an electrical engineer, helps create everything from electrical control systems to basic circuitry and prototypes; helpful to excel at math and science and willing to pay strict attention to details

• IT support specialist – provide front-line support for everything from hardware issues to network repair; requires patience and willingness to explore / learn new technologies

VEHICLES

• Auto / truck mechanic – must be trained to diagnose, repair and maintain different types of vehicle equipment including engines, power train, exhaust and fuel systems, often requiring use of technology