Getting Started in the Trades: Advice From a Professional

Choosing the Right Trade for You

Plumbing and Gas Engineer Kevin Richards, who started as an apprentice and worked his way up to leadership roles, shared his journey to finding the right career path. “When I left school, I planned to join the armed forces. After a two-week stay at a military camp in Snowdonia, I realised it wasn’t the right path for me.”

Kevin shares the importance of research to fully understand the options out there, “I started to explore the trades and plumbing stood out to me, especially as a gateway into the gas industry.”

By properly understanding the opportunities the industry has to offer, you can make certain you choose an option that’s best suited to your skills and interests. While it can be nerve-wracking to start something new, it’s better to take that leap than to be stuck in a career that’s not right for you.

Why More Young People Aren’t Joining the Trades

While a career in the trades provides a lot of promising job prospects and opportunities, there seems to be a reluctance from young people to kick-start their journey in the industry.

“I don’t think enough young people are getting into the trades. Social media plays a part, and I think there’s too much focus on the ‘end result’ without showing the hard work it takes to get there.”

Kevin reflects on the growing concern that fewer young people see the trades as a rewarding long-term option. With the reality being that a career in this industry requires hard work to achieve rewarding results, he feels this should be made clearer so those entering know what to expect.

Advice Professionals Wish They’d Known Sooner

If you’re new to the industry and eager to hit the ground running, hearing advice that professionals wish they’d known earlier in their career will help you to avoid mistakes and make faster progress.

Kevin shares, “I turned down certain upskilling early in my career. If I could go back, I’d take every training opportunity offered. Now, I always say yes.”

He encourages those entering the industry to make the most of the opportunities presented to them. Even if something may seem like extra hassle in the moment, in the future you’ll be thanking yourself for learning a new skill and opening new doors in your career.

Common Challenges Faced on the Job

The plumbing and gas industry has job-specific challenges that evolve, but one that remains common among all trades is dealing with client expectations.

Kevin reflects on how these have evolved throughout his career, “Early on, I was winging jobs I didn’t feel ready for or dealing with customers hovering and asking constant questions. Now, it’s planning how to keep a restaurant open that could lose £60k over a weekend.”

While these challenges may have evolved and more is at stake now, having a positive mindset and looking for every opportunity to learn remains key. The skills that you learn early on in your career when dealing with customers will enable you to handle big projects later down the line.

What Makes a Great Apprentice Stand Out

Entering an industry can feel overwhelming, balancing staying on top of your tasks while also wanting to make a positive first impression. Kevin recognises that for someone just starting their career in the trades, “Offering help and not standing in the background makes a positive first impression.”

Showing willingness and enthusiasm are very important at the beginning and throughout your career. “Listen and always get involved. Even if the job is awful, just do it. Every tough task makes you a better engineer, and every mistake is a learning opportunity.” Colleagues recognising you as a proactive member of the team and someone who has a desire to improve will go a long way.

Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Your Career

Understanding common mistakes to avoid can help to make your start in the industry a smoother experience. Learning to manage your time well, listening to feedback from colleagues, and understanding the importance of safety are all important.

For apprentices who are more likely to have grown up amongst technology, Kevin stresses the importance of not letting such distractions get in the way of your work. “When someone’s on their phone while you’re trying to explain something — that drives me mad!” Such behaviour can leave a lasting impression, so it’s important to show respect and stay focused. In doing so, you’ll learn and show colleagues you appreciate them taking the time to guide you.

There's certainly a lot to learn when beginning your career in your chosen trade. The most important thing to remember is that each professional has been in the exact same boat. Taking their advice on board, being eager to learn and improve, and learning from mistakes are the most important traits to display.

Here at IronmongeryDirect, we're incredibly proud to supply our trade customers, whether long-term industry professionals or apprentices, with the tools they need to complete their jobs, and we hope this insight has given some further help and guidance to those in need of it.