A career in the trades can be a very stable, good choice for people who have the ability and physical endurance to do the work, but it is not for everyone. You might not want to be an electrician, hair stylist, or pet sitter, but you might want to work with the people who are in these trades. If so, you should explore the various careers that are available for people who want to support the trades but not work directly in them.

When people think of the trades, the picture of construction workers or plumbers probably comes to mind, but the trades are much more diverse than that. Cattle herding, broom making, and all kinds of other jobs are also in the trades, and they all require different types of help for the people working in them.

One of the most basic types of help is working as an adviser for people considering the trades. This job could involve working at a trade school or career college, possibly going to high schools to tell students about the job possibilities in the trades or advising students on courses and apprenticeships once they have already begun their studies.

Another possibility in this area is to work at outside organizations that deal with issues related to the trades. Examples of these are the Canadian Labour Congress, unions, or other groups that help to regulate the trades or provide information for the workers. For example, the Careers in Construction website provides information on topics such as how women can get involved in the trades or what certifications are required. Writers, website experts, or event planners are some of the people who might want to consider working in these areas.

Accountants and financial planners can also work with people in the trades. Some electricians or pet sitters might be very good with money matters, but others often need help with setting up ways of keeping track of their earnings, remembering to pay bills, or setting aside funds for large purchases. Financial professionals can help with this kind of task.

Suppliers, distributors, and advertisers are also very important for the trades, since even the best product will not sell if no one knows about it or can find it. Suppliers can also be a very important link between the raw materials, such as lumber, and the manufacturers, such as furniture makers.  Once the products are made, distributors ship the items to stores or warehouses where customers can find them. Advertisers let the customers know about the products and help the businesses promote themselves and show their advantage over others in the same field.

Requirements for getting into some of these fields related to the trades vary widely, but generally at least a high school diploma is necessary. Accountants generally need university degrees, and other people working indirectly in the trades might want to have qualifications in website design or related fields. People who have left the trades for their health or other reasons can also use their skills to help in many ways. If you want to work indirectly in the trades, you should be able to find an area where you can use your own skills and abilities in unique ways.

Bibliography:

Careers in Construction. “Organizations that Help Women Get Started in the Construction Tades.” https://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/why-construction/opportunities-women/organizations-help-women-get-started-construction-trades.

Entrepreneur.com. “How to Find and Work with Suppliers.” https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/66028.

Settlement.org. “Myths About the Skilled Trades as a Career Option in Ontario.” https://settlement.org/ontario/employment/professions-and-trades/regulated/myths-about-the-skilled-trades-as-a-career-option-in-ontario/

True North Accounting. “Trades and Truckers.” https://www.truenorthaccounting.com/trades.