Do I Need a Degree to Work in the Trades?

Great Careers Start Here
  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

There are lots of benefits to working in the Trades. Whether you become a professional welder or choose a career path like Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration, you can use your skills to work in a variety of industries and settings. Training for these careers also take less time—and money—than opting for a four-year degree program. But should you get a degree? Is it worthwhile? While you don’t need a degree to work in the Trades, it can help you if you have aspirations of becoming a supervisor or if you’d like to own your own business someday.

How to Break into the Trades

The best place to start is at trade school or career college. At a vocational or trade school, you’ll receive hands-on training along with important lessons about how to work out in the field. But how do you choose a vocational school? Make sure it has the right components:

  • Accreditation ensures that the institution and its programs meet uniform standards for excellence in the subjects they teach.
  • Instructors with Experience share their knowledge of the trade and also anecdotes from their time in the field.
  • Modern Lab Equipment ensures that what you learn on in the classroom will closely resemble what you’ll find on the job.
  • Career Services help you prepare your professional portfolio so when you complete your program you’ll be more able to find a job in your new career.

How to Advance in a Trades Career

Maybe you’ve already had a successful start in your career and are ready to advance to a managerial position. Or maybe you’re really passionate about the field and want to own your own business someday. No matter what your motivation, if you want to take the next step in your career, a degree in the Trades could help. What will you learn in a degree program that you might not learn in a certificate program? The managerial and professional side of the business, including:

  • Project management
  • Ethics and professional conduct
  • Advanced Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Customer service skills

You’ll also learn how to use common computer applications such as word processors and spreadsheets. Combining these skills with what you already know about the Trades could help you become a manager or first line supervisor. In these positions, you would oversee a crew of workers and delegate responsibility to them. You’d inspect work areas and ensure the crew adheres to safety guidelines. You’d also order and obtain new materials and supplies when needed. These skills would also help you to run your own business where you would find clients, provide great customer service, and manage multiple projects.

If you’re ready to earn a degree in the Trades, contact Charter College. We offer an Associate of Applied Science in Applied Technology Degree completion program that can be completed in as few as five months. To learn more, fill out the form or call 888-200-9942.