With a plethora of career paths available to students once they leave high school, it can sometimes be difficult to determine where you should turn. You can go to university and spend four years gaining a Bachelors degree, you can obtain a diploma through college, or you can decide to study a trade. Increasingly, the latter option is becoming more and more popular with young people. But why?

According to Line Breton, counsellor with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, a job in a trade is a stable career path. “Trades will always be needed in any economy,” she told us, “and your certification will always be recognized.”

While going to school to obtain your certification, you will have the opportunity to work as an apprentice in your chosen field. JobsPeopleDo.com spoke with Bob Benner, owner of Hamill Machine Shop in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Benner has been regularly hiring apprentices for over 14 years and gave us the scoop on why the experience is so valuable.

“An apprentice has the benefit of watching how the job is done and being able to go back to class with that experience,” said Benner. “They go to school to learn the right way to do things, but then get the practical experience and learn new methods while on the job.”

Another often-overlooked benefit of a career in the trades is your ability to move up quickly and earn more money.

“Once you start working, it gives you a chance to prove your worth,” says Benner. “In our shop, you may start at $14 per hour but can move up to as much as $27 per hour. If you work hard and keep your certification up-to-date, there is really nothing holding you back from earning more money. That is a big incentive for many students interested in trades.”

The trades cover a wide array of different career paths, from mechanics to hairdressers, electricians to carpenters. No matter what path you decide on, both Benner and Breton agree that you need to follow your natural instincts.

“Spend a semester working in a trade that interests you. It will expose you to both the positive and negative aspects of the job,” says Breton. This will help you to decide if this is the right trade for you.

“Love what you do,” says Benner. “If you like working in trades, there will always be a place for you if you have your papers.”

So why not discover the different options available to you in the trades sector? Check out all of the editorials and career profiles that we have lined up for you right here on the NEW JobsPeopleDo.com trades page!