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Mindsets and Decision-Making in the Trades

tradesmart23 on December 16, 2024

Mindsets and Decision-Making in the Trades

The Skills That Pay Series: Mindsets and Decision-Making in the Trades.

In the trades, where hands-on skill meets technical expertise, the way decisions are made can significantly impact both the quality of work and the trajectory of a worker’s career. While technical proficiency and physical dexterity matter, the underlying mindset that drives decision-making is more important. Workers in the trades face a range of challenges that require them to make decisions quickly, often under pressure, and in dynamic environments. The mental approach one takes to these decisions can not only affect job performance but also influence long-term professional growth and reputation. In this blog we’ll tackle some of the key points for enhancing decision-making in the trades, focusing on a growth mindset, a bias toward quality work, the importance of pre-planning, and task concentration.

A Growth Mindset in the Trades

The concept of the growth mindset, developed by Carol Dweck and her colleagues, is the idea that if we merely think that our abilities and intelligence can be improved through dedication and hard work, our chances of success are vastly improved. In the context of the trades, adopting a growth mindset is essential for long-term success. Workers who view challenges as opportunities for growth are more likely to persist in the face of setbacks and continuously improve their skills. This mindset encourages a proactive approach to learning, whether it’s mastering a new tool, understanding a complex technique, or providing a better experience to a customer.
For tradespeople, one of the most important things a growth mindset can offer is a constant openness to learning new things. Many students pick a trade with almost no understanding of what that trade actually involves. For instance, lots of students think that plumbers do nothing more than install toilets and showers in houses, while electricians wire light fixtures and outlets. And too many of them say no, or become resentful when asked to “go over and help Pat” if they think what Pat is doing isn’t related to their trade. These people have no idea about the opportunities available to people who can let go of these caricatures, and they are routinely passed over for advancement. Having a growth mindset is critical in an industry where technology and opportunities are constantly evolving.

A Bias Toward Quality Work

In the trades, the quality of work can be a direct reflection of a worker’s skill, commitment, and professionalism. Having a bias toward quality work means that decisions are made with an emphasis on doing the job right the first time, even if it takes more time, requires more effort, or requires additional resources. For entry-level employees, this bias is integral to establishing a reputation for quality work and reliability. People who are reliable and work hard are difficult to replace, and are offered many more opportunities than the average worker.
A bias toward quality work also influences how decisions are made on the job site. Tradespeople with this inclination are more likely to take the extra step to ensure that the project has been thought through, measurements and materials are correct, and that the work is completed with integrity. Although striving for perfection can sometimes conflict with the pressures of time and cost, those who prioritize quality are ultimately more likely to produce results that exceed client expectations, leading to greater job satisfaction and professional credibility.

The Importance of Pre-Planning

Effective decision-making in the trades doesn’t begin when you pick up the tools—it begins with careful pre-planning. This involves thinking through every aspect of a project before execution begins, from assessing the tools and materials needed to anticipating potential challenges. Pre-planning allows workers to map out the most efficient approach while also identifying areas where problems might arise. Whether it’s a large-scale construction project or a smaller repair job, taking the time to plan ahead can save both time and money, reducing the likelihood of errors or rework.
Pre-planning also helps tradespeople make more informed decisions when unforeseen issues arise during the course of a project. By having a clear plan in place, workers are better equipped to pivot and make adjustments as needed, ensuring that the overall project remains on track. This approach not only ensures higher-quality outcomes but also minimizes the risk of safety incidents, which can have costly and even catastrophic consequences. For those who manage teams, pre-planning becomes a tool for communication, setting clear expectations and creating a roadmap for success.

Task Concentration: Staying Focused Under Pressure

Trades work often takes place in high-pressure environments where multiple tasks and distractions compete for attention. Task concentration refers to the ability to stay focused on the immediate task at hand despite these external factors. Skilled tradespeople are adept at managing their attention, focusing on quality execution and making thoughtful decisions even when under time constraints or dealing with competing priorities. Maintaining task concentration ensures that work is carried out with precision and reduces the likelihood of mistakes that could result in costly delays, re-dos, or safety hazards.
Effective task concentration is the ability to remove distractions before they become an issue. This is increasingly difficult today, where many people work with earbuds in their ears, or are constantly looking at their phones. In the trades, these are both extremely bad looks, because most trades work does not involve listening to music or watching videos. Not only is this poor impression management, it is a safety hazard, and will not be tolerated on most jobsites. In addition, when a person is distracted or on their phone, the quality of their work will always be worse, and they will take longer to do it. Very few companies are interested in paying people to deliberately take more time to do inferior work.

Conclusion: Integrating Mindsets for Optimal Decision-Making

In the trades, the way a worker approaches decision-making can have a profound impact on both the immediate quality of the work and the overall trajectory of their career. A growth mindset fosters continuous improvement, ensuring that skills evolve with changing industry demands. A bias toward quality work guarantees that decisions prioritize precision and integrity, bolstering both reputation and job satisfaction. Pre-planning provides the foresight to make well-informed decisions and adapt to challenges, while task concentration allows tradespeople to remain focused on the task at hand and make effective choices under pressure.
At Trade Smart College, all of these skills are part of our curriculum and we encourage our students to adopt a more methodical approach to their work. These skills apply to every task, from the most menial to the most complex. We reinforce the idea that, “how you do one thing is how you do everything”, so our students know they must approach even the simplest task with diligence and integrity. Ultimately, decision-making in the trades is not just about choosing the quickest or most convenient option; it’s about creating value, mastering the craft, and building a reputation for excellence. Our students know that this is how you get a job, and keep a job, in the trades.

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Workplace Readiness Skills and Routines in the Trades

tradesmart23 on December 16, 2024

Workplace Readiness Skills and Routines in the Trades

The Skills That Pay Series: Workplace Readiness Skills and Routines in the Trades.

In the trades, workplace readiness is about far more than technical expertise. It is primarily about developing skills, routines, and habits that foster preparedness, focus, and reliability on the job. As demand grows for skilled trades professionals, employers increasingly seek individuals who possess essential workplace skills such as the ability to communicate, manage time, and persevere through adversity. This blend of abilities not only enhances workplace efficiency but also reduces risks and promotes positive, collaborative environments. In this blog we will explore these key workplace readiness skills in the trades, and how adopting effective routines supports these skills in practice.

Communication Skills: Keys to Effective Collaboration

Trades work is teamwork, so effective communication is the cornerstone of workplace readiness in the trades. Collaboration between a single tradesperson and a client, up to the coordination of diverse teams on complex projects all require effective communication routines. Verbal, nonverbal, and written exchanges, as well as active listening practices must be routinized to maximize understanding and prevent costly mistakes. Skilled trades workers frequently need to interpret blueprints, follow precise instructions, and/or convey technical information to teammates efficiently and clearly.
In many cases, communications can be routinized to increase efficiency and clarity. Written messages can be sent through construction management software so that all relevant information is available to those on the tools and in the back office. Verbal instructions can be relayed via daily meetings, call and response protocols, and planning routines before complex projects. And given their importance to communicating messages, nonverbal communication habits can be built to demonstrate interest and attention to detail. No one wants a slow-moving, slovenly tradesperson on their jobsite, or one who can’t seem to put their phone away. Instead of getting fired or written up for sending the wrong nonverbal cues, at Trade Smart College we teach our students how to develop routines to improve the impression they make with clients and teammates.

Time Management and Organizational Skills: Maximizing Efficiency

Time management and organizational skills are essential in the fast-paced environment of skilled trades, where projects are often time-sensitive, and efficiency is critical to profitability. Professionals who can always show up on time, prioritize tasks, adhere to schedules, and manage tools and materials effectively contribute to smoother operations and timely project completion. We teach our students how to develop pre-routines for each workday, how to track their time and build goal-setting and organizational habits that they use each day. This helps them begin each workday with a strong head start over people who do not take the time to organize themselves before work, but rather try to organize themselves during their work hours.
Developing routines such as setting daily goals, organizing tools systematically, and reviewing task lists at the start and end of each shift helps trades professionals stay prepared and focused, enabling them to meet project deadlines without compromising quality. Additionally, effective time management extends to managing physical resources—tools, materials, and workspaces. For example, experienced construction workers assert that at least 70% of construction is “staging” – managing, moving, and organizing materials, crew and construction waste. Workers who develop routines for tool maintenance, inventory checks, and workspace organization minimize downtime, enhance overall productivity, and can contribute to significant cost savings on every project.

Perseverance and Problem-Solving: Navigating Changing Work Environments

Perseverance and problem-solving skills are essential in the trades, where projects often present unexpected challenges, from weather-related delays to material shortages. Skilled trades professionals who don’t give up or disappear when faced with a challenge are better equipped to handle these changes while maintaining project integrity and quality. Developing routines such as working on one task at a time, and staying off your phone will dramatically increase a person’s ability to tough things out and find solutions to problems.
In addition, effective problem-solving requires a mindset where one is open to continuous learning and improvement. This is another reason why documentation routines are so critical, for companies and employees. WHen employees routinely record solutions to past issues, log photos of completed projects, and regularly archive relevant documents, this helps build a repository of practical knowledge for everyone in the organization to draw from. Ultimately, this enhances the effectiveness and resilience of the entire company.

Conclusion: Building a Culture of Readiness in the Trades

Workplace readiness in the trades is a critically important blend of technical proficiency built on a foundation of professional skills, and a commitment to efficiency and adaptability. Communication, time management, perseverance, and problem-solving abilities are not only valuable on an individual level but also contribute to a safer, more efficient, and cohesive work environment. Trade professionals who build routines that support these skills—such as communication routines, managing their nonverbal cues and miscues, and pre-shift planning—are well-equipped to navigate the demands of this dynamic industry.
As skilled trades continue to play a vital role in Ontario’s economic landscape, the importance of workplace readiness skills cannot be overstated. For both new entrants and experienced professionals, cultivating these abilities through structured routines and a proactive mindset is essential to achieving long-term success and contributing positively to the trades workforce.

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What is the Purpose of an Apprenticeship?

tradesmart23 on August 15, 2024

What is the Purpose of an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are an educational model with a long history. They were initially conceived as a way to educate the whole person – to teach someone how to be a contributing member of the community as well as a skilled artisan. And it was critical that the apprentice be a good citizen first, before they were granted access to the technical skills of the trade. In recent years, we have forgotten to start with character when preparing people for apprenticeships and have focused instead on the specific techniques of a trade. The problem with this is that companies still require character and professionalism before they will sign an apprentice.

The European Origins of Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships emerged across Europe and other parts of the world around 500 years ago, in many different occupations or trades. And while there was a great deal of diversity in how apprenticeships were carried out, there were also some important similarities. Placing apprentices was an informal process where a teenager was sent to live with a master and her/his family to learn the trade. The craft knowledge was closely guarded by the master, and would only be given to the apprentice once they had proved themselves worthy. This control of knowledge was reinforced by the Guilds, or the groups of masters who regulated the trade. Interestingly, a ratio of apprentices to masters was common in virtually all trades during this time.

What was also common was the nature of the complaints, from apprentices and masters. Some common complaints from apprentices were that they were not progressing quickly enough in learning their trade, and that they had to do “irrelevant and menial” work. On the other hand, masters often griped that their apprentices were not committed enough to the trade, that they think they know more than they do, and that they lack the work ethic of the master’s generation. Ironically, 500 years later the complaints on both sides are the same.

Character, then Craft

Despite the complaints, the apprenticeship system that emerged out of Europe was an integrated model of education, with a specific purpose. In fact, it is this purpose that made the complaints more likely, and not just that older generations always complain about younger generations. Specifically, the purpose of an apprenticeship was to, “instill positive and productive cultural values”, and to look after the “moral welfare” of that person. The apprentice was first taught to be a good citizen and to have strong moral character before they were entrusted with the technical skills of the trade.

This order of teaching was a matter of individual self-preservation for the master, and the long-term sustainability of the trade. The blacksmith, the baker and other skilled tradespersons were pillars of the community, and none of them would pass on their skills to a lazy or unscrupulous apprentice. No master tradesperson could afford to be seen as the person who certified someone who ripped off the community. And if bakers or blacksmiths as a whole were regarded as scoundrels, the whole trade could be put in jeopardy. Preventing this was one of the main reasons that guilds were formed in the first place.

Character Gets Pushed Aside

As the number of trades and their technical sophistication increased after the Industrial Revolution, more and more technical knowledge was required in order for apprentices to become competent journeypersons. Technical knowledge was easier to incorporate into college curriculums than the character of the student, and the art of the trade. Over many years, this is what happened across North America as colleges taught technical skills and abstract concepts in their classrooms and workshops. In the process, technical knowledge came to be regarded as the only “essential” knowledge required in a trade.

The development of character and craft were sidelined in part because colleges could not teach the “feel” of the trade on an actual jobsite. They also lost interest in teaching “the basics” like character, preferring instead to leave that up to the family or school system. One consequence of this is that people who want to get into a trade think they only need some technical skills and they’re ready to go. But an apprenticeship is a much more holistic model of education than the teaching of a few technical skills. And craft and character are, and always have been, the most important component of a trade, even if they’re not taught in many campus classrooms and workshops.

Lessons from History

At Trade Smart College, we are committed to re-introducing character and craft into the trades we support. We start by teaching character skills, so our students are set up for success during their internship with a company. And during this internship, they will begin to learn some of their tradecraft in real-world situations.

We do it this way because it respects the traditional order of apprenticeship learning. And just as importantly, we do it this way because our companies have told us that they are always interested in employees who have shown they can be professional. And they simply aren’t interested in students who don’t have good character as a pre-requisite.

Conclusion

Historically, the apprenticeship pathway was clear – a master took on an apprentice and taught them how to be a good citizen before passing on the technical arts of the trade. We have lost our way a bit on this, and have come to see technical skill as the only qualification for becoming an apprentice. We need to correct this so that people who want to go into the trades actually have the skills and mindset that companies use to select candidates for apprenticeship.

Starts September 3rd

Want to learn more about Trade Smart and our upcoming Fall Term? You can now schedule an in-person meeting with Carrie, our Student Success Manager. Pick the date and time that works best for you and that’s it, you’re one step closer to your path in the Trades.

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The Sizzle of the Trades

tradesmart23 on July 10, 2024

The Sizzle of the Trades

Becoming a skilled trades apprentice opens up a massive range of career possibilities. More people are being attracted to these opportunities, in part because HGTV and the various renovation and real-estate shows play up the glamorous parts of trades jobs. While this is all good for generating interest, it is not sufficient for actually getting people started on the pathway to these careers.

Selling the Sizzle

Almost 100 years ago, Elmer Wheeler advised salespeople to, “sell the sizzle, not the steak”. In other words, sell the excitement, the experience, or the dream that the product or service makes possible, not the thing itself. By doing so, he transformed sales and marketing processes, and it has long been the standard practice across most industries. It is so prevalent in fact that even governments, colleges and universities use it.

Governments and colleges sell the sizzle of the trades and other programs by promoting the excitement and opportunities available. To sell the trades, especially to women, youth, and new Canadians, governments fund trades days and “try the trades” programs in schools and community centres. To help encourage girls and women to go into science and engineering, colleges and universities run science camps and “lab days” for girls. And when it comes time to recruit students, colleges and universities show students the fancy labs and equipment rather than the custodian’s closet, health and safety binder, and researcher’s notebooks that keep the whole operation running.

At Some Point, the Steak Matters

There are obvious benefits to selling the sizzle, in the trades, in science, or indeed in any profession. We have to play up the possibilities to sell any career. So we turn on the sirens and let people slide down the firepole to get people to join the fire service and we showcase brand-name tools and sportscars to get people into the trades. It’s hard to attract firefighters by telling people that most of their day will be spent cleaning, organizing equipment, and waiting. Very few girls, or boys for that matter, will want to go into the trades if we tell them that 80% of trades work is staging – organizing, recording, maintaining, and transporting goods and tools, plus cleanup and disposal.

Having said that, there is a danger of selling past the close, to use another sales mantra. In this case, If we only expose people to the glamorous parts of a trade once they have decided to pursue it, we run the risk of creating unrealistic expectations. For instance, many students graduate from pre-apprenticeship programs thinking that they are fully qualified to do the exciting tasks of their trade and are unwilling to tackle the menial work. Plumbing neophytes want to install the multi-head shower, or would-be carpenters want to build the mahogany mantle, and they get frustrated when they’re told to sweep the shop instead. But sweeping the shop, sorting bolts, cutting boxes and moving pipe are all essential tasks in the trades. None of this is “just labour” or “not real trades work”. It is the steak that makes the sizzle possible.

Trades Work is Teamwork

There is another dimension to the reality of trades work, and it is something that doesn’t get covered in most programs and “try the trades” days. Trades work is fundamentally about team work. Every trades project gets done by a team, even if that team is only the tradesperson and the customer. This means that the needs of the team are paramount, and this plays out in several ways. The most basic requirement of being on a team is showing up on time and being ready to contribute more than your fair share. These are the go-to people on any team regardless of their skill, and they are the ones who consistently get picked for the next project.

Being a good team member is pretty similar to being a good citizen, or being a good professional. The skills are the same, and are based on taking personal responsibility, acting with integrity, and being willing to cheerfully put in the work required to get the job done. All of this is necessary before the glamour can happen. In any trade, be a professional and you will have jobs and opportunities. Be self-absorbed and you won’t.

How Companies Actually Award Apprenticeships

As I explain in another blog, taking on an apprentice is a costly endeavour for any company. The natural assumption then is that companies are looking for people to have some fairly well-developed technical skills in a trade before taking them as an apprentice. Lots of pre-apprenticeship programs are based on this idea, where the emphasis is on the amount of time a student spends in a workshop doing the “hands-on” work of the trade. This dovetails nicely with selling the sizzle, because students get to use some of the latest tools in clean, climate-controlled workspaces.

The problem is that companies do not choose apprentices based on their pre-existing technical skills or how well they use tools in an artificial environment. Instead they hire, and fire, on professionalism. Pre-existing technical wizardry is an afterthought at best. Being a professional is rarely glamorous, but it is the steak that makes the sizzle possible. And it is the only thing our Trade Smart certified companies look for when they decide to bring someone on as an apprentice.

Conclusion

There are tons of great opportunities in the trades in Ontario, and across the country. And there is some glamour and glory in most of these possibilities. But that comes later, after one has become a consummate professional and can be trusted to approach every task with integrity. As in most other careers, the hard work comes first.

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What’s the Highest Paying Trade in Ontario in 2024?

tradesmart23 on June 18, 2024

What’s the Highest Paying Trade in Ontario in 2024?

Many of our prospective students ask some version of the question, “what is the highest paying trade in Ontario?” We understand the impulse behind this – many people want to go into a field where they can make the most money. University students ask the same question, “what subject should I study to get the highest paying job?” The best answer in both cases is not so much about choosing a specific field or trade, but which opportunities a person decides to pursue. I’ll have more to say  in a later blog about university choices but for now let’s look at some of the different trades options.

The Four Main Trades Sectors:

There are currently thousands of open jobs in the majority of trades in Ontario, and across the country. The majority of these trades fall into one of four categories: Construction; Industrial/Manufacturing; Transportation, or; Service. As a general rule, average salaries are lower in the service trades like hairstyling, cooking and network cabling (or the rather esoteric “horse harness maker”). Annual earnings in many service trades are often in the $40,000- $60,000 range even for people with many years of experience. 

In contrast, in construction trades like plumbing, electrical and HVAC, people often earn six figures a year while they are still an apprentice or shortly after becoming journeypersons. The same is true for many industrial and transportation technicians as well. Heavy equipment, and truck and coach technicians in the transportation sector, along with millwrights and welders in industrial/manufacturing trades are able to earn over $100,000 a year within a few years of becoming a qualified journeyperson. 

If you Google the highest paying trades in Ontario in 2024, you’ll get a range of answers. Some sites will tell you electricians make the most money, with an average salary of just over $90,000. Other sites, including some of the major job boards (Indeed, etc), will list millwrights, truck drivers or HVAC technicians at the top. So which one of these is right? Frankly, that is the wrong question.

What Difference Does a Dollar (or Two) Make?

You could spend a great deal of time in the rabbit hole trying to figure out which trade pays a dollar more an hour than the others, which internet site uses the best data, which one uses the best estimation methodology, or has the largest sample size. But the fact is, that is a waste of your time. All of the job sites use a similar methodology based on data collected from their own job banks, and none of these are any better or worse at estimating the average salaries of different tradespeople. They reach different conclusions because they use different data.

More importantly, these estimates are not meaningfully different from each other, or between the top-paying trades. Most sites peg the average hourly rate for electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, truck and coach mechanics, millwrights and others at around $48-$51 per hour across the province. Is it wise to choose a trade based on a difference of $1-2 in the hourly wage? The clear answer is No, and here’s why.

Get Qualified, and Make the Most of Your Trade

I would urge you to be cautious about going into a trade based primarily on the average wage you see on the internet for two reasons. First, you need to become a licensed journeyperson in any of these trades before making $48/hour or more is even possible. If you don’t finish an apprenticeship in any of these trades you’ll be stuck making $25/hour for your career. So pick a trade where you have the greatest chance of finishing your apprenticeship. In other words, not finishing your apprenticeship in a trade with a $51/hour average wage is much worse than getting certified in one with a $48/hour rate. 

 Second, how you approach your chosen trade, and which opportunities you pursue, will have more impact on your annual income than some slightly higher average hourly wage in another trade. There is a critical shortage of licensed tradespeople in all of these high-wage trades, so you’ll always have an opportunity to work overtime or on-call. Working a few extra hours each week can greatly increase a person’s annual income. The impact will be far greater than a couple dollars on an hourly rate. Doesn’t mean you have to do this for the rest of your life, but if you want to earn more money, this is one of the best ways to do that.

There’s More to Life Than Money…

It is certainly worth knowing the highest paying trade in Ontario, especially in 2024 when inflation and the general cost of living is so high across the province. However, there can be more to life than money, so it is important to choose a trade that interests you, or gives you other things besides money. I’m not saying “follow your passion”, or “find your passion” because that is nonsense. I’m saying try to choose a trade that is likely to sustain your interest.

Even if you don’t believe that there’s more to life than money, you should still pick a trade that interests you. The reason is that most people who get into the trades don’t spend their entire careers on the tools. Lots of plumbers, electricians, millwrights and welders hang up their tools to get into sales, estimating, project management, equipment and supplies, or business ownership. 

Sometimes they do this because they can make more money, but many of them pursue these other opportunities because they are interested in the field, and this gives them the confidence to try something new. It is worth remembering that if you open your own HVAC business or start managing large electrical projects, the hourly wage for HVAC techs or electricians on some internet sites no longer applies. So why choose a trade now based on a number that might not apply to you in a few years? 

Conclusion

Starting out in a trade, especially a compulsory trade like the ones we support at Trade Smart College, opens up a huge range of career possibilities. If you’re willing to work hard and you make some good decisions, you will probably have more opportunities than most university graduates. This is because there are far fewer people in Ontario in 2024 with a journeyperson’s ticket than with a university degree, and there are thousands more open jobs for journeypersons than for university grads. If you just want to make money, you can do that in any compulsory trade without obsessing over which one has the highest average wage right now. If you think there’s more to life than money, you’ll find that in the trades as well.

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Need more info? Looking to register? Want to find out about financing or start dates? Book a call, meeting, or text chat with Carrie our Student Success Manager.

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