Skilled trades include many lucrative and stable careers with fantastic opportunities, such as welding, mechanics, equipment operation, and construction. Durham College School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology is the perfect place to start your education.

Some people do not want to spend their time at an office desk, and that is okay! Even while in school, would you like the opportunity to work with your hands, make things, build things, and provide services? Skilled Trades are a good path to take, and Durham College has great programs in trades, with a comfortable mix of classroom learning, hands-on workshop training, and opportunities to complete an apprenticeship. Find out why studying trades at Durham might lead to the perfect career for you.

Why Should I Study Trades?

Most people know that trade work includes things like mechanics, carpentry, and electricity, but did you know it also includes hairstyling, cooking, and even network wiring as well? There are 150 certified trades in Ontario alone.

A misconception is that skilled trades careers are only for men, but these jobs are perfect for anyone. There are many mentoring programs and supports for women in trades in Canada, such as Build Together and the Canadian Association of Women in Construction. While most trades involve manual work, you do not always have to do the heavy lifting since a lot of trades use tools and equipment.

Great Pay

One of the drawing factors to working in skilled trades is the lucrative wages and the opportunity to make more money. In December 2018, the government of Canada reported that the median income for all skilled tradespeople immediately after certification was $52,030 CAD. However, certain trades like millwrights and heavy-duty equipment technicians had medians over $60,000 CAD. These wages increase substantially over time — the longer you work in your trade, you can make more money (and even start your own business).

These are some of the median wages (hourly) for various trades careers in Canada, from jobbank.gc.ca.

• Welders $23.50
• Electricians $31.00
• Automotive Mechanics $24.04
• Construction Workers $21.00
• Gas Fitters $28.00

There is also the opportunity to do an apprenticeship program so you can get paid while you learn. Everyone is allowed to work as an apprentice, including international students. To become one, you must find an employer to train you and sign a certification agreement, and Durham’s programs can qualify you for the classroom portion of the apprenticeship. If you do not become an apprentice, Durham College also has paid work terms in many of its trade programs.

Great Prospects and Opportunities

There are always many job opportunities for tradespeople; someone will always need their car serviced or their gas pipes checked, and employers will always need cranes to be operated or metal to be welded. Moreover, tradespeople in Canada can get Red Seal certification, which allows them to work in any province or territory, and sometimes other countries as well. Trades also have high job security and satisfaction.

Why Should I Choose Durham College?

The Durham School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology (START) is well-known in skilled work industries, boasting amazing shop facilities and training centre and employing expert and experienced instructors. If you have not decided what kind of trade you want to study, you can go into the Trades Fundamentals (Certificate) Program, where you can learn which trade is right for you.

Feel free to explore START’s programs, including:

Mechanical Technician — Millwright (Diploma)

Leads to: apprenticeship or entry-level positions

Millwrights are employed by factories, construction sites, and power plants to fix, install, assemble, move, or service machinery. They know how to work with many different kinds of machines, and are often employed on a contract basis. This is one of the highest-paid trade jobs in Canada.

Welding Engineering Technician (Diploma)

Leads to: direct certification for entry-level positions

Welders primarily join metal parts together or repair metal surfaces and objects. Welders need to know how to use the necessary heat or gas tools for their job and are employed in any type of industrial, construction, repairing, and manufacturing situations.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Techniques (Diploma)

Leads to: apprenticeship, ready to take certification (Gas Technician 3 and Oil Burner Technician 3), go on to gas technician 2 program

HVAC Technicians install or maintain devices that control temperature or air quality, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. HVAC Technicians may specialize in one of these areas.

Some people’s careers are not supposed to be in an office or at a computer; sometimes work is easier, more fun, and more rewarding when it comes from working with your hands. All in all, trades are perfect for anyone that wants an distinguishable career path, great job stability and employment rates, and lucrative wages and earning opportunities. Your education at Durham College will be hands-on and instructive, providing you with the perfect knowledge and skills to work in your industry. Whether you like building things, fixing things, using tools, or operating equipment, check out START for the trade that’s right for you.