The Ontario College of Trades recognizes 156 distinct skilled trades. One of the persistent myths surrounding careers in the skilled trades is that these jobs are physically demanding. While most trades require hands-on work, there are 156 skilled trades. You can choose a less physically demanding one.

The following are just five examples of non-physical skilled trades:

Child Development Practitioner

Child Development Practitioners are trained to design and provide programs that help children develop physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team, skilled in communicating with children, colleagues, and families. You will have opportunities to work in childcare facilities, preschools, and Ontario Early Year Centres.

Child and Youth Worker

Child and Youth Workers support vulnerable children and youth and their families by building healthy relationships, promoting healthy physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. They are trained to identify childhood and adolescence disorders and to provide counselling and aggressive behaviour management. This is also a career where you will work in a multidisciplinary team.

Developmental Services Worker

Developmental Services Workers support individuals with developmental disabilities, including children. Your training in behavioural intervention strategies, safety, abuse prevention, and wellness allows you to create and maintain a safe, healthy environment for your clients.

Educational Assistant

Educational Assistants support students with special education needs. You work in a multidisciplinary educational team that designs and implements individual learning plans. Your training will involve learning introductory and development psychology, child education, and classroom skills.

Hairstylist

Hairstylists are trained to cut and style hair, as well as perform colour services and chemical treatments that wave, relax, and straighten hair. You may also work with wigs, hairpieces, and extensions.

These are just five examples of non-physical skilled trades. Given the many possibilities, you may do further research and find more. It is also important to keep in mind that while your career may start off more physical, you may move up to a more managerial or supervisory role. If you consider it like that, then all the skilled trades are potentially non-physical!

References

http://www.earnwhileyoulearn.ca/156trades

http://www.youth.gc.ca/eng/media/video_centre/ts_skilledtrades.shtml

http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/wp-content/uploads/TFS_CDP_Nov2015.pdf

http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/wp-content/uploads/TFS_CYW_Nov2015.pdf

http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/wp-content/uploads/TFS_DSW_June2015.pdf.pdf

http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/wp-content/uploads/TFS_Educatoinal_Assistant_Nov2015.pdf

http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/wp-content/uploads/TFS_Hairstylist_Oct2015.pdf