Learning a trade can lead to all kinds of exciting long-term career opportunities. The work is varied, rewarding, and gives you the freedom to be your own boss. But the gap between passing your course and actually starting your dream career can feel like a big unknown.
Depending on your trade and qualifications, you may need to get workplace experience, take further assessments, or apply for professional registration before you're able to work independently.
So how do you get your foot in the door? Here's what to expect as you work towards your first role, and how Access Training's Career Support Team can help you along the way.
Does finishing my trade course mean I’m fully qualified?
Completing your training is a big step towards your new career, but it doesn't always mean you're ready to start working independently.
For electricians
Being able to wire a circuit in the training centre is one thing, but you'll also need to show you can put those skills to use on real installations.
That's why the Level 3 Electrotechnical Qualification involves gathering evidence of your work and having your abilities assessed on site. Once you've achieved the qualification, the final step is to pass the relevant AM2 assessment so you can begin working as a fully qualified electrician.
For plumbers
A Level 2 Diploma gives you a solid grounding in plumbing, but what if you want to progress to a Level 2 NVQ in Plumbing and Heating?
You'll need experience on real jobs, where an assessor can see how you put your training into practice. That might mean working on plumbing installations and gathering evidence of the tasks you've completed.
For gas engineers
Gas also has its own requirements. The Level 3 Diploma in Gas Engineering involves supervised work experience and a portfolio of real gas jobs alongside your training and assessments.
Once you've met the relevant qualification requirements, you can apply for Gas Safe registration. You'll need to be appropriately registered before carrying out regulated gas work independently.
How can I gain workplace experience after training?
Finding somewhere to gain experience can be the tricky part, especially when you've never worked in the trade before.
Depending on your course, you might have a placement arranged for you, find a suitable opportunity yourself, or even start earning while your training continues.
Getting a guaranteed workplace placement
Finding that first opportunity can be daunting when you don't have any industry contacts. That's why all our Premium trade courses include a guaranteed work placement, so you won't have to arrange that initial opportunity yourself.
You'll get a taste of what it’s like to work alongside experienced tradespeople, and a chance to put your new skills to use. A placement is also a fantastic opportunity to gather the evidence you need as part of your qualification.
Finding your own work experience
If the course you’ve chosen doesn't include a guaranteed placement, you'll need to arrange a suitable workplace opportunity yourself.
When approaching employers, explain where you're up to with your training, what you're competent to assist with, and the experience you're looking for.
Our Career Support Team can advise you on your CV and how to approach employers, while your assessor can clarify the work you'll need for your qualification.
Earning while you continue training
Retraining is a big commitment, particularly when you've still got bills to pay.
If you'd rather start earning while learning your new trade, Earn While You Learn could be worth exploring. Eligible learners can begin paid site work while continuing their specialist training.
Your first duties may involve general site work rather than qualified trade work, but you'll be earning and getting familiar with the industry while your training continues.
If you would like to know more, you can speak to a course advisor about the placements included with your chosen course, or find out more about our Earn While You Learn scheme.
What might my first job in the trades look like?
Your first role will depend on your qualifications and what you're competent to do, but there's a good chance you'll be working alongside more experienced tradespeople.
You might be helping an electrician with installations, working with a plumber fitting pipework, or shadowing a Gas Safe registered engineer as part of your supervised training.
And you'll quickly find that real jobs don't always go to plan.
An older building might have a few surprises hidden behind the walls, or something that looked straightforward on paper could turn out to be a bit more complicated.
You'll see how experienced tradespeople deal with these types of situations, as well as how they organise their work and adapt to the unexpected.
It's a chance to get a feel for working life in your chosen trade, with responsibilities that grow as your competence develops.
What do employers look for when you're new to the trades?
You might be worried that your CV won't stand out when you haven't worked in the industry before.
Remember, employers recruiting trainees aren't expecting you to know everything already. When our Career Support Team speaks with employers, they hear just how much reliability and a willingness to learn matter. Turning up on time, listening to feedback, and taking your responsibilities seriously can go a long way.
Before looking for your first role:
- Be specific about your skills: Show employers which qualifications you've completed, what you're working towards, and the tasks you're currently competent to undertake.
- Check the job requirements: Depending on the position, you might need an ECS or CSCS card, personal protective equipment (PPE), or particular safety training.
- Be realistic about travel: If the work involves moving between sites, think about how you'll get there. A driving licence or wider travel area may give you more options.
- Make use of your previous experience: Years spent dealing with customers or working to tight deadlines still count for something. Think about how those skills could make you a good person to have on site.
When you get to an interview, be upfront about what you know and where you still need guidance. An employer needs to understand what you're ready to take on, and they'll appreciate someone who's keen to keep learning.
How can Access Training's Career Support Team help me find work?
Finding work in an unfamiliar industry can take some getting used to, especially when you’re updating your CV and realise the qualification you’ve just earned feels more relevant than the job you’ve been doing for years.
Access Training provides three years of Career Support from enrolment, so you've got people who understand the industry to turn to while you're preparing for your first role.
The team can review your CV and help you present your training and previous experience in a way that's relevant to employers. If you've got an interview coming up, they can work through likely questions with you, too.
And there's another benefit: the team is in touch with employers looking to recruit.
When you register with Career Support, they'll create a candidate profile covering your trade, qualifications, location, and availability. Then, if an employer contacts Access Training with a suitable vacancy, the team can check whether you're interested and, with your agreement, put you forward.
The employer decides who they interview and hire, so a job or interview isn't guaranteed. The service depends on suitable vacancies becoming available, but it gives you access to guidance and potential introductions that can be particularly useful when you're finding your feet in a new industry.
Career Support is also there as your experience grows, whether you've got questions about further qualifications or you're considering where to take your career next.
Learn more about Career Support
What if I want to work for myself one day?
Maybe your dream is to make a living on your own terms, with your own van and complete control over which jobs you choose to take on.
It's an exciting prospect, although running your own business involves more than being good at your trade.
Imagine quoting for a job, only for the customer to ask for something extra halfway through. How would you explain the additional cost, and how do you make sure you've allowed enough time without leaving yourself out of pocket?
There are things worth learning from people who've already made the leap, so make sure to ask them questions. You might also pick up some valuable advice about the business side of the trade before you're responsible for it yourself.
Because there’s no fixed timeline for becoming self-employed, you can take as much time as you need beforehand to develop your skills further and learn more about how the industry works.
Ready to make a career out of learning a trade?
Whether you're hoping to earn a better living or eventually work for yourself, our course advisors can talk you through the training pathways that could get you there, including what happens after your course.