Painter and decorator, electrician, welder… why not consider a job in the skilled trades?

BY SUMMER SHUTTLEWOOD

To become a painter and decorator, the best way to make a start is to do a Level 1, Painting and Decorating Diploma at your local FE college and then take a level 2 course to further your skills and increase your chances of employment. There is also a Level 3 Diploma available, once you have worked in the industry, which will increase your skills and knowledge further. City and Guilds, as well as many other companies, also offer apprenticeships which mean you get experience in the industry whilst being paid to learn your trade.

For a job such as welding, which is a trade needed in many industries including engineering, transport, aerospace and offshore oil and gas, one option would be to take a course at college before applying for a job as a trainee welder. Relevant courses include:

• Level 1 Award in Introductory Welding Skills
• Level 2/3 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding Practice
• Level 2 Certificate in Welding Skills

Alternatively, you could do a welding apprenticeship. It is useful to have good maths skills for working out measurements and good hand-to-eye coordination. To get on an apprenticeship course you would usually need four GCSEs (grades A*-C), in subjects like maths, engineering, ICT, English or science.

After achieving these qualifications you would be able to train in the workforce as a welder and learn necessary skills such as reading technical drawings; whilst doing this you can apply for work based qualifications such as a Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering, before completing tests to make sure that you are up to British and European welding standards. Other jobs such as a plasterer or electrician follow similar routes for their respective trades.

As an electrician, you would install, inspect and test equipment, make sure that electrotechnical systems work and find and fix faults. There is a wide variety of jobs which fall within an electrician’s field. To qualify, you would need to complete a level 3 qualification such as Level 3 Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Maintenance) or a Level 3 Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems & Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment). In order to complete these – usually whilst working – you would need to complete a level 1 and 2 course full or part time at a college. These courses can help you to land an apprenticeship, get a higher education qualification or get a job as a trainee. First year apprentices are expected to make around £8,000 a year and the starting salary is £17,000+.