Many towns and cities across Canada are seeing unprecedented growth in size and population, which means a growing need for both and private buildings and public infrastructure–everything from single-family homes to multi-unit apartment buildings, commercial retail spaces to parks and sports arenas.  What these all have in common is the need for skilled tradespeople working in the construction industry to build and maintain these structures.  With over 50 different trades within the construction industry, anyone can find their perfect fit.

So why should you pursue a career in the construction industry?  Here are four great reasons:

Job Security

In an economy often marked by employment uncertainty in many fields, the skilled trades in the construction industry offer young workers the opportunity to begin a secure career with a high level of job security.  Between the need for maintenance on existing buildings and infrastructure, and the continuing growth in new construction and infrastructure projects, tradespeople can build long and satisfying careers.  In addition, over the next ten to fifteen years a high number of workers will reach retirement age and leave the workforce, which will open up many positions for younger tradespeople.

While construction is often matched up with thoughts of summertime, in reality the construction industry operates year-round: outdoor projects during good weather and the summer months, and indoor projects during the winter.  This means that construction industry tradespeople can reliably work any time of the year.

Entrepreneurship

Trades careers in the construction industry are also great choices if you want to start your own company and work for yourself, rather than for someone else.  Once you have completed an apprenticeship, college program, or Red Seal certification, you’ll be well situated to start planning to open your own construction trades business.  This gives tradespeople the opportunity to build their own company the way they want — whether that’s a one-person operation or a small team; an independent contractor, or a company that takes on and completes entire jobs.

Great Earning Potential

Like many skilled trades, trades careers in the construction industry often offer high salaries as tradespeople grow more experienced or train to specialize in specific skills or types of projects.  Depending on the trade, salaries can average $60,000 to $80,000 per year, with certain trades or having many years of experience leading to salaries as high as the $100,000 range during the later stages of a tradesperson’s career.

As a tradesperson, you can also often start earning money right away, as many trades use paid apprenticeships as the primary method of training a person in a trade.  Even if the trade you want does require some post-secondary education, a college or trade school program is almost guaranteed to be more affordable than most four-year college or university degrees.  This means tradespeople can get the education they need without building up a lot of student debt.

Work Anywhere in Canada with a Red Seal Certification

Formally known as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, this certification is designed to ensure that tradespeople possess the skill level and capabilities in their trade to match the national standard.  Many of the construction industry trades are designated as Red Seal trades, with set requirements for completion–including apprenticeship hours, in-class training, and the final Red Seal examination.

One of the benefits of completing a Red Seal certification is that these tradespeople can then work in their trade anywhere in Canada without needing to pursue other provincial certifications.  This can be especially appealing to younger tradespeople who want to visit or live in different parts of Canada, either long term or for shorter contracts.  Being Red Seal certified also increases employability and chances of promotion, as well as commanding a higher salary.

Sources:

https://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/why-construction/8-good-reasons

http://www.red-seal.ca/about/pr.4gr.1m-eng.html

https://buildingtrades.ca/union-careers/trades/

https://careersintrades.ca/what-are-the-skilled-trades/construction/