careernav.

There are many trades in Australia and it is understandable why you may be confused and not know which one to choose. Currently there are shortages in most trades which can mean that employment opportunities are currently very good.

Here are some tips to helping you choose the right career path...

If you have no idea what trade you will be best suited to then follow your instincts to the ones that really interest you and you feel most comfortable with. Gather all the information you can possible get your hands on. The more informed you are the more you know what to expect once employed.

If you still attend secondary school, the careers advisors will give you career advice on the different areas of employment, as well as the option of possibly beginning some of your training while still attending school. They will tell you the subjects you should think about for the right apprenticeship. This would be a school based apprenticeship and that means it gives you industry required knowledge while still being able to complete higher levels of schooling.

Look through newspapers for any advertised positions or articles in your field of interest.  The internet is another great way to search for any information relating to trades. The information is just about endless but can be very useful in your search.

Group training companies, or you local apprenticeship centre are all there to assist in your career planning. They will help in the search of the correct information, as well as giving you career advice on how to obtain an apprenticeship, what prerequisites you may need, the training required and the steps you could take to obtain employment.

Aside from just researching all the different trades out there, why not contact some people who work within the industry of interest and see if you can do some work experience with them. What better way to find out if you are suited to your preferred career choice. This not only shows you the day to day requirements, but will give you the best insight by far. You get your hands dirty before deciding if this career is for you!

While these are just a few of the avenues you can go through to find the trade that will best suit you, don’t forget your parents. They may not know much about trades, or they may know plenty, but you can guarantee they will always be there to offer you sound advice.

Good luck in your search and remember it’s not a job you want, it’s a career.

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