WITH all of us spending more time than expected confined to our homes in recent years, many people turned to renovations as a way to use surplus income and pass the time. Home renovation spend increased by 36% in 2020 – but with pent up demand and fewer people entering trade professions, the need for skilled tradespeople has boomed.
According to Rated People, 62% of tradespeople said 2021 was their busiest year ever. So how can you get a piece of the action? Read a quick guide to four of the most popular trades below.
Electrician
As an electrician, you could fit, service and repair equipment and wiring in a range of environments. You’ll need to complete an NVQ Level 2 and 3 and gain work experience to fully qualify.
As with many trades, you could work for a company or go it alone. If you choose the latter, you’ll need to think about things like transport, marketing and electrician public liability insurance to protect against injury or property damage.
Plumber
Plumbers fit and maintain water and drainage systems in residential and commercial buildings. That might mean working with toilets, baths, showers, sinks and washing machines, as well as installing pipework and attending emergency callouts.
You could get qualified as a plumber through a college course or an apprenticeship. If you want to expand your professional repertoire, you could then earn extra qualifications that allow you to work with gas boilers.
Bricklaying
As a bricklayer, you might build houses, repair walls and get involved with decorative stonework. While laying bricks might sound simple, it’s an essential role that can involve working on a variety of projects up and down the country.
As above, most bricklayers get started with a college course or apprenticeship. It can be one of the more social trades, as you might end up working away from home in large teams.
Carpentry
Also linked to the world of construction, as a carpenter you’ll work with wood and timber to create foundational structures for buildings. You might also create structures for TV, films, and theatre. This role is different to joinery, which involves working on individual items such as doors and pieces of furniture.
Again, you can develop the skills and qualifications for the job through college courses and apprenticeships.
Could you see yourself building a career in any of these trades?
