The best education for children will help them succeed in life, and parents are naturally concerned about helping their children make good educational choices. Encouraging children to pursue a career path that aligns with their interests and strengths can set them on a fulfilling journey that leads to their dream job. While traditional fields like medicine, law, or finance are often seen as benchmarks of academic success, it’s important to recognize that equally rewarding opportunities exist outside these conventional routes—specifically in the skilled trades.
Unfortunately, there’s still a misconception that careers in the trades are somehow less valuable or desirable. The myth persists that a trade is “just a job” rather than a career, and that it doesn’t require much intelligence or skill. This couldn’t be further from the truth—many skilled trades demand high levels of technical expertise, proficiency in mathematics, and rigorous training.
Moreover, our society faces significant challenges when there aren’t enough skilled tradespeople to build, maintain, and repair the infrastructure and systems that keep our world running smoothly. It’s the tradespeople who keep our utilities operational, repair our appliances, and construct and maintain our roads, playing an essential role in our daily lives.
So, how can we encourage more children to consider a career in the trades? Read on to learn more.
1. Educating Parents About the Value of Trade Careers
Parents are often their children’s first and most influential career mentors. Therefore, it’s crucial to demonstrate to parents that learning a trade is not only valuable but also a viable and lucrative career choice—one that is vital to the functioning of our society.
By educating parents on the opportunities and benefits of a career in the skilled trades, educators, legislators, and tradespeople can help guide children toward these rewarding paths from an early age. This is particularly important when students are making decisions about high school courses and extracurricular activities that can lead to future opportunities in the trades.
2. Highlighting the Importance of Tradespeople in Society
Many parents may not realize there are many rewarding careers available outside of traditional professional fields. They might unintentionally narrow their children’s career options by not realizing how important tradespeople are, how well they’re paid, and how well they’re regarded.
To change this perception, we need to understand what drives parents’ views on what constitutes a “good” career. By gaining this understanding, we can better equip parents to guide their children toward a broader range of career possibilities, including the skilled trades.
3. Providing Career Guidance and Role Models in Schools
Schools play a vital role in helping students make informed life choices. By integrating career guidance into the curriculum and providing students with the opportunity to interact with experienced tradespeople, schools can help students appreciate the value of a career in the trades.
Additionally, exposing children to successful role models in the trades can inspire them to pursue similar paths. The first step in fostering a career interest in the trades begins with parents, but schools must also be strategic in their efforts to promote these careers to young people.
Final Thoughts
No one should ever tell you that you don’t have what it takes to succeed in the trades. Merit for Apprenticeship is committed to inspiring young people across the province to explore and get excited about careers in the skilled trades.
Interested in applying for an apprenticeship? Click here to start your journey.