Skills Work! -- What Skilled Trade is For You?

Case Study #1
Case Study #2
Case Study #3

Case Study #1

Hey friends, Tyrone here again. I hope you've found this website useful so far. I know I sure have.

This website came in handy for an assignment I had for the Careers Studies course that I have been taking. Our teacher asked us to conduct information interviews with someone who is currently working in a field we are interested in.

First, I had to research different careers - that's where this website proved to be very useful. With so many career choices to research, this website narrowed down those choices for me. I am really interested in woodworking and found the description about Cabinetmakers to be exactly what I was looking for.

After choosing a career to research, the next step was to find someone to interview. Although I thought that this would be difficult, finding someone was rather easy. It turns out that my cousin's friend, Mike graduated from a Woodworking Technician program a few years ago.

I contacted Mike and set up the interview with him on a day suited both our schedules.

Mike was young, energetic guy who had lots to share about his career. Like me, Mike wasn't sure what he wanted to do after high school. Growing up in a rural community gave him lots of opportunities, many of which involved working with his hands, which he loved to do.

Throughout his school Mike took tech class available to him. It's what he enjoyed and excelled at. Of all the classes he took, his favourite was woodworking. He enjoyed the creativity, attention to detail and satisfaction that were involved in each project.

After researching various career choices - like I am doing right now - Mike enrolled in a 2 year Woodworking Technician Certificate program at a community college. Through this education, Mike gained the advanced theoretical knowledge of the trade - after all, building anything from wood is more than cutting and gluing a few pieces of wood together.

Immediately after graduation, Mike found a job working for a company that produces trim and flooring for houses - just one of the many areas of a career in Cabinetmaking. And, as Mike is the only person on staff with an educational background related to woodworking, he operates and maintains all of the machinery used in the various processes.

Mike also builds cabinetry, furniture and other wood products as a hobby. His skills also come in handy around the house - last summer he helped my cousin build a deck on his house.

And imagine, Mike could start his own company and become his own boss.

This assignment was a great opportunity to explore a career choice that I may have never considered before. If you are in the process of exploring careers in the skilled trades and technologies, find someone like Mike to chat with. It really opened my eyes, and I'm sure that you'll discover the same.

Case Study #2

Wow, isn't this website useful? I could have definitely benefit from this information while I was in high school.

Since meeting you at the beginning of this booklet, I have decided to pursue a career as a Chef. I a currently apprenticing under the Executive Chef in an upscale restaurant.

How did I come to decide this career path you ask? Well, that answer is simple. I followed my heart.

Throughout high school and college I had several jobs in the service industry. Each job was exciting in its own way, however, I was always intrigued by the Chefs and the work they were doing.

Their domain is the kitchen. In the kitchen they have the job of satisfying people through creative, innovative and mouth-watering dishes, many of which are made from scratch.

I feel the greatest reward in a job when I have the ability to create and try new things, which as a Chef happens quite regularly. I also have a love for fine food, as many of my friends will pleasantly tell you. The atmosphere in the kitchen provides me with overwhelming satisfaction. These are few of the reasons why I choose to pursue a career as a Chef.

Now, as much as I love my job, training to become a Chef is not easy work. Beyond knowing how to cook each dish, I also have to have to develop my teamwork skills; I have to understand nutritional values; and, most importantly develop strong math, science and reading skills.

The apprenticeship system is a really valuable opportunity for me. Not only do I attend culinary schools, but I also have the opportunity to develop my skills in the kitchen. A great mix of practical and theoretical knowledge.

To find out how you can pursue an apprenticeship in a skilled trade contact a Training Consultant at your local branch for the Ministry of Training, College and Universities or call 1-888-JOBGROW. They will be able to provide you with information on how the apprenticeship system works.

Hopefully you too can find a career that satisfies your career goals and ambitions, just like I have.

Case Study #3

Jim became interested in computers and drafting early in high school. His drafting teacher offered interesting problems and real-life situations that piqued his interest. Later in his high school years, he designed houses for several people, and found it fascinating to see his designs built and brought to life.

Jim now works as a manager of building sciences for an engineering firm in Kitchener. He was educated for three years at Conestoga College and feels that this course gave him the theoretical knowledge to design and build buildings. He also says that the college system gave him the ability to learn. In addition to his formal education, Jim strongly believes that every day is a learning experience. Jim's career gives him the opportunity to be involved in both the design and the building of structures.

In this career area, math, science and computer skills are critical. In addition, knowledge of CADD (Computer-Assisted Drafting and Design) is important.

In Jim's line of work, there is no such thing as a typical day. Summer is the busiest time, and every day is different. His job includes spending a bit of time in the office, travelling to work sites to inspect the work that is being done, and then returning to the office to wrap up loose ends. A cellular phone is a big part of Jim's work, because throughout the day he will take and place over 40 phone calls. When he is at a work site, much of his work involves inspecting the exterior of high-rise buildings. He wears a safety harness and rides up the outside of a building on a swing stage. The highest he has been so far is 28 storeys!

There is definitely a shortage of workers in Jim's area of employment. Statistics from OACETT (the Ontario Association of Certified Technicians and Technologists) suggest that there will be a shortage in the next few years as older people retire. This field offers a wide variety of work that is interesting and challenging.