Myths vs. Facts of Landing a Skilled Trade Job
Special to The Truth
With the demand for skilled trade workers growing
nationwide, you may be looking to launch your career, change
professional paths, or hone current skills in order to
advance in your industry.
As you go about the process, consider these few myths and
facts about landing a skilled trade job:
• Myth: It will be hard to find training in my local area.
• Fact: There are numerous free resources available to
connect you with local training opportunities. Veterans and
their spouses for example, can seek career assistance from
organizations such as amvets.org. In the case of the HVACR
industry, locating training organizations in your zip code
is as simple as visiting natex.org, which provides online
services to English and Spanish speakers, as well as
certification and recertification.
• Myth: All training programs are pretty much the same.
• Fact: Not all certification programs offer the same
quality education, nor are they associated with the same
breadth of job opportunities. Those in the HVACR industry,
for example, can set themselves apart by getting North
American Technician Excellence (NATE) training.
“Not only do contractors prefer working with NATE-certified
technicians, consumers look for this certification as well
because it ensures that a knowledgeable, well-trained and
highly experienced technician will service their home
heating or cooling system,” says Anthony Spagnoli, NATE’s
director of training and education.
• Myth: Skilled trade careers don’t offer room for growth.
• Fact: Skilled trade careers are in especially high demand
today, offering long-term job security, a good living and
room for advancement. To learn more about existing growth
opportunities, tune into the podcast “Blue is the New
White.” Available for download on Apple Podcasts and Spotify,
this is also a good resource for those seeking to get their
foot in the door.
• Myth: Career support will be hard to come by once I
receive my certification.
• Fact: Connecting with a seasoned professional who can act
as your mentor is a great way to build relationships,
network and learn as you go. This is especially important
for those who have traditionally been underrepresented in a
given industry. You can find mentors on-the-job, at industry
events and through online resources such as Women in HVACR,
which among its initiatives, connects young women in the
industry with mentors. Visit womeninhvacr.org/mentorship to
learn more.
Looking to break into HVACR or another skilled trade
industry? Check out available resources which can help you
get trained, certified and employed with confidence.
Courtesy StatePoint
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