How Do I Become a Trade Professional?

The job market is changing. Influenced by demographics and technology, it’s increasingly favoring trade professionals. That’s exciting news if you feel stuck in your current job and want to train for a more secure and rewarding career. Enrolling in a trade school program is the first step to greater opportunity as an electrician, welder, or HVAC technician.

How Do I Become a Trade Professional?

The most efficient way to become a trade professional is to enroll in a trade school program. While the balance between formal education requirements and on-the-job training varies among industries, starting from scratch as an apprentice is rare because trades demand ever more complex skills.

Trade school programs explore the foundational principles, safety regulations and professional standards in technical fields, preparing you to hit the ground running in industries that are hiring now. With an education and experience, you’ll move from beginner to trade professional in no time.

What Are the Benefits of a Trade Program?

Trade programs are among the best values in education. Benefits include:

A Quick Start

Careers in the trades are more of a journey than a destination. You’ll never stop updating or honing your skills. But all adventures start somewhere, and a trade school education will help you get off to a quicker start. You’ll graduate work-ready in months not years, primed to move forward as a tradesperson or an apprentice.

Complete Curriculum

Trade school curricula are job-focused, meaning they teach the full range of skills you need to succeed in industries where diligence and safety matter. Courses cover the theoretical aspects of trades and the technical principles that drive the field. You’ll be prepared for industry certifications that demonstrate your competency, enhancing your credibility as a job or apprenticeship applicant.

Hands-on Training

Trade schools emphasize hands-on learning, allowing you to build practical skills in a safe and controlled environment. Whether it’s operating machinery, using hand tools, or performing intricate tasks, hands-on experience helps build dexterity and muscle memory.

You’ll train in simulated work environments where you can make mistakes, analyze what went wrong and refine your approach. Problem-solving scenarios and case studies encourage students to think critically and apply their knowledge to challenges common in their trade. This practical training improves your skills, boosts your confidence, and shines on a resume.

Instructor Mentorship

Trade schools employ industry-seasoned instructors with first-hand knowledge of the current practices, challenges, and trends in their field. Their expertise plays a crucial role in shaping students into competent trade professionals.

By relating theory to real-world scenarios, they make complex concepts easier to grasp. And as role models, they demonstrate professional conduct and work ethics specific to their trade.

Experienced instructors also make worthy mentors, guiding students not only in their academic journey but also in their career paths. They’ll help you make the most of your potential by showing you what’s possible with dedication and hard work in your field.

Career Services

Trade schools do more than prepare you for a job — they offer comprehensive career services to help you find one. By leveraging industry and union partnerships, they connect students with potential employers and apprenticeship opportunities.

Training novices is resource-intensive, so trade school graduates are often seen as stronger apprenticeship candidates because they have a greater level of readiness and proven commitment to the field. Chance favors the prepared, so students who’ve completed a structured educational program are typically the first to be recruited.

Final Thoughts

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued growth in trade-related occupations, so why wait to make a career move? Education is the foundation upon which futures are built, and a trade school program will help you build yours.

Want To Learn More?

The Refrigeration School, Inc. was founded in Phoenix, AZ in 1965 and has since been working to train skilled HVAC/R technicians, welders, and electricians. We offer a variety of programs and class sessions to fit your needs. Call us today at (602) 607-0024 to learn more about our Trade programs.

Accredited School, ACCSC. Licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Post Secondary Education. The AOS/MME program is the Associate of Occupational Studies in Mechanical Maintenance Engineering degree program and is not an academic degree. For more information about our programs, please visit our website at: http://www.rsi.edu/about-rsi/regulatory-information/.