When I talk to classes, I usually ask students to raise their hands if they are interested in becoming a tradesperson. Lots of students have been raising their hands which is really exciting. We NEED you! As a result of this strong need for new tradespeople, as well as an interest in the trades among young people, I have decided to write my latest blog post on trades in forestry.
Not sure if a trade is right for you? Consider these questions: Do you want a job that will allow you to work with your hands? Does the idea of sitting at a desk all day make you feel bored or restricted? Do you want to have skills that will make looking for a well-paying job relatively easy?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, becoming a skilled tradesperson may be the path for you. One of the perks: You’ll be good at fixing things. So when things go wrong around your own house you won’t have to pay so much to have someone else fix it! Plus, you’ll never feel like this at work:
Even when you receive your training, you don’t have to spend much time sitting in a classroom. Apprentices spend about 80% of their time learning on the job from qualified tradespeople. The rest of the time is spent taking technical training, usually at a college or technical institution.
Here are just a few of the tradespeople that forestry mills need:
Electricians
Electricians understand electricity. They install and maintain electrical systems designed to provide heat, light, power, control, signal, or fire alarms.
Millwrights
Millwrights understand how stationary machinery works. They install, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot industrial machinery and mechanical equipment. A millwright needs to have a variety of skills so it is a good route for someone who is interested in multiple trades.
Sawfilers
Sawmills are filled with blades that are constantly cutting lumber. Mills need sawfilers to make sure the blades stay sharp and in good condition.
Heavy Equipment Mechanics
If you read my last blog, you know about the many different types of heavy machinery at the mills. These machines need experts who know how to maintain and repair them.
Instrumentation Technicians
These days, it seems like computers run just about everything. Instrumentation technicians understand how computers work to control machinery, and how to install them and repair any glitches.
For a full list of trades, check out Tradesecrets.
And there’s another great benefit of learning a trade. There is plenty of financial help available for you.
While attending technical training, apprentices may be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) or student grants.
If you’re still in high school, it’s not too early to begin. High school students can earn credits toward both an apprenticeship program and a high school diploma through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). There are 500 annual scholarships of $1,000 each available to RAP students.
For more information on trades scholarships, check out Tradesecrets.
Many forestry mills will pay for school fees if they recognize that you are a hard worker. They will also pay you a wage while you are gaining your on-the-job experience. That means no student loans and no going through the “poor student” phase of life. And I can say from personal experience, it can be tough being a poor student!
