How to Advance Your Skilled Trades Career
With industries nationwide facing talent shortages and according to Contractor Magazine skilled trade workers are in high demand. However, demand alone doesn’t guarantee advancement — you need a strategic approach to grow your career intentionally. From setting clear goals to exploring new possibilities, here's how to move forward in skilled trades and unlock your full potential.
Why Career Advancement Matters in the Skilled Trades
Improving your career is not just about feeling good about yourself. When you focus on growing and learning new skills, you're more likely to land better jobs, earn higher salaries and enjoy more job stability. To keep up and find fulfillment in your work, it’s important to think ahead and plan for your career advancement.Set Career Goals to Stay Focused and Motivated
To thrive in your skilled trades career, establish clear short and long-term goals. One effective strategy is to create a 30/60/90-day plan. This plan serves as a guide for your first three months in a new job and helps you focus on important areas. Each phase of the plan aims to build a solid foundation, increase your confidence and enable you to make valuable contributions. By using this approach, you can turn general goals into specific and manageable steps.
Here’s how it typically breaks down:
● First 30 Days – This is your ramp-up period. Focus on learning the basics: safety protocols, company procedures and the specific tools and equipment you'll be working with. It's also a great time to start building relationships with your team and identifying areas where you can step in and add value.
● Next 30 Days (Day 31–60) – Now that you’ve got your footing, it’s time to apply what you’ve learned. Start taking on more responsibility and refining your skills. Whether it’s handling basic installations, managing inventory or assisting on more technical jobs, you’re becoming a more active and reliable team member.
● Final 30 Days (Day 61–90) – At this point, you’re not just learning — you’re contributing. Aim to work more independently and show how your presence is making a difference. Supervisors should start seeing you as a go-to person in your area.
Let’s say you’re starting as an HVAC technician. During your first month, you might shadow a senior tech and get familiar with different HVAC systems. By day 60, you're diagnosing basic issues and making minor repairs. By day 90, you’re helping install full systems with only light supervision.
Or if you’re an electrician apprentice, you may start by learning wiring diagrams and conduit bending. By month two, you're working hands-on under supervision. By month three, you’re managing smaller tasks on your own and prepping for your journeyman exam.
But the plan doesn’t end after 90 days. That’s where quarterly check-ins come in.
These check-ins are your chance to take a step back and see how you’re doing. Every few months, sit down with your supervisor or mentor to evaluate your progress:
● Are you meeting your goals?
● What skills do you still want to build?
● What feedback can you use to improve?
This is also a great time to set new goals for the next quarter. Maybe you want to earn a certification, switch to a different shift or take the lead on a project. These check-ins help you stay focused, adapt to changes and keep your momentum going.
The real benefit of this approach? It keeps you moving forward.
● You perform better because you're working toward specific goals.
● You communicate better because you're having regular conversations with your supervisor.
● You grow faster because you're aware of your progress and your potential.
Whether you're brand new or already have some experience, using a structured plan like this makes career advancement in the skilled trades a lot more achievable.
Invest in Skilled Trades Programs and Certifications
If you want to move forward in your career in skilled trades, getting extra certifications is very important. Certification programs teach you specific skills that employers are looking for and can help you get comfortable with your duties more quickly. Seek out valuable certifications that match your field of work or align with your career advancement goals.
Apprenticeship Programs
These combine classroom instruction with hands-on job training. Apprenticeships are essential for learning the fundamentals of your trade under the guidance of a seasoned professional. They’re structured, progressive and usually lead to journeyman status, making them a key steppingstone in many trades like plumbing, electrical, welding and carpentry.
OSHA Certifications
Safety is everything in skilled trades. Earning an OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification shows employers that you understand workplace hazards and how to prevent them. Many job sites now require OSHA certification before workers can even step on-site, especially in construction and industrial settings.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
A CDL is a must-have if you want to operate large trucks or transport materials and equipment. CDL holders are in high demand for logistics roles, construction vehicle operation and warehouse support. It’s a solid way to expand your job options and command higher wages.
Skill Set-Specific Licensing and Certifications
Earning credentials focused on your specific skilled trade is an important career investment. Whether you are a millwright looking for more responsibilities or a heavy equipment operator interested in managing a team, having the right certifications can help you achieve those goals.
Often, it is necessary to have specific credentials to perform certain duties. In the HVAC field, having the right certifications to work with refrigerants is essential and may require additional licenses depending on your location. These certifications not only enhance your skills but also demonstrate your commitment to your career, leading to faster promotions, job security and leadership opportunities.
Although earning these credentials takes time and effort, it's a valuable investment that can open doors to new opportunities in skilled trades.
Explore New Career Paths Within the Skilled Trades
Career growth isn't just about moving up; it can also involve lateral moves into roles that align better with your interests and strengths. In the skilled trades, your experience is transferable across various roles and industries. Here are a few examples of career mobility within the trades:
● A diesel mechanic with strong diagnostic skills and a deep understanding of engines and heavy equipment might transition into a field service technician role. In this position, they would travel between job sites or client locations to troubleshoot and repair complex mechanical issues on-site, often working independently and managing their own service schedule. This role offers more autonomy, problem-solving challenges and a pathway into technical leadership.
● A pipefitter with years of experience in welding, blueprint reading and mechanical system installation may advance to a construction supervisor role. In this capacity, they would lead job site crews, coordinate with project managers and ensure that complex piping and plumbing systems are installed safely and on schedule. It’s a key leadership role that builds on technical expertise and introduces team and project management responsibilities.
You don’t have to be locked into one title or career path. With the right strategy and support, skilled trade jobs offer almost unlimited room for growth.
No matter your current position or aspirations within the skilled trades, there are ample opportunities for growth and advancement. By obtaining relevant certifications, exploring new roles and leveraging your experience, you can carve a path that aligns with your career goals and personal interests. Embrace the possibilities and take proactive steps towards a fulfilling and dynamic career.
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