From the course: Skilled Trades: Construction Apprenticeship Foundations

How to start a new career in the trades

From the course: Skilled Trades: Construction Apprenticeship Foundations

How to start a new career in the trades

(upbeat music) - Have you ever wondered how someone becomes a skilled trade worker? What are all the trades that build the world around us? How does one master a craft? In my LinkedIn learning course, you will explore some of the skilled trades that are looking for people like you to join their workforce. And you will learn how to locate training opportunities in your region. We'll talk all about apprenticeship and how it came about, focus on individual trades, where you will learn about the craft, and get a visual of what that work looks like. Finally, you'll learn how to submit a competitive application to the trade of your choice. Your goal in this course, arrive with an open mind. These trades are unique to one another, and they offer their own work lifestyle. - So my background, this is a second career for me. I was a college soccer coach before I became a carpenter, and what attracted me to being a carpenter was the physical nature of the work. I know how to work hard, I know how to carry things and lift things, I can work hard all day long. - There's a lot of pride in the work that you do, and once it's complete, from when you see a rough scale of something, a blank building, it turns into this amazing space that truthfully you would love to work in each and every day. But that accomplishment of just, it got to where it is today and if it weren't for you doing that, then, you know, the hard work, it wouldn't look as good as it does. - Here the thing is if you need to do something around the house, you can pretty much do it yourself. You don't have to call anybody. (laughs) And you have a lot of friends in the trades, you know. If you ever need help you can barter each way. So it's a good deal, man, it's really fun, I enjoy it. - I think people that have never considered construction as a trade should really look into it. Go to an organization like Oregon Tradeswomen or some pre-apprenticeship program that can give you a look into what the industry offers. I didn't think of construction when I was growing up. I didn't think that I wanted to be a construction craft laborer, but the opportunity was there, and I took it for financial reasons. But once I got there it was like, wow, I wish I would have known about this earlier. - I went through the program 25 years ago as a single mother. I was able to, you know, earn a living wage, and school here is all paid for, so you know, it was a no-brainer. - Watch and listen, and be thorough in your own research and informational interviews. You may begin this course thinking that you already know what trade you're interested in, but finish the course with a different goal. I'm Bridget Quinn. I have been in the construction industry since 2000. I'm proud to work in Workforce Development for the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center in Portland, Oregon, where I educate and inform people such as my younger self, about careers in the building trades. There are no prerequisites for this course, other than an interest in a satisfying and lifelong career, which is likely why you're here. I am so excited to show you around.

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