If you’re a new skilled worker, you may be wondering, “What makes a good tradesman?” Even if you’re an experienced tradesman, it’s always valuable to learn new skills that can make you a more qualified tradesman.
Knowing how to be a good construction worker or skilled worker in manufacturing requires a wide range of skills. Whether it’s technical skills or soft skills, there are many skills that a tradesperson should possess that can make them a valuable asset to any job or project.
So, what are some construction skills or other trade skills that can make you a well-rounded tradesperson?
In this article, we’re going to provide insight into the top qualities and skills of high-performing tradespeople. Then, we’ll finish the article by sharing with you how to get more work as a tradesman.
Let’s jump right into the skills and qualities that make a good tradesman.
What Makes a Good Tradesman
If you want to know how to be a good construction worker or skilled laborer in another field, there are some essential skills you need to possess.
Here’s a list of six qualities and skills that the most qualified tradesmen have.
Technical Knowledge and Expertise
First and foremost, you need to have technical knowledge and expertise.
If you’re interested in becoming a heavy equipment operator or mechanic, then you need to know how to fix or operate heavy equipment. Likewise, becoming a refrigeration technician or industrial mechanic requires that you have training in those areas.
Depending on which trade you decide to go into, your training may look different. However, most trades require that you have a high school diploma/GED and some combination of the following:
- Attendance at a trade or vocational school
- Completion of an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program
- Reception of necessary certifications
These three steps all help you gain the practical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to do your job.
Adhering to Safety Requirements
Want to know how to be a good construction worker or manufacturing tradesman? You need to understand and adhere to your company’s safety regulations.
Following and adhering to safety requirements may sound simple, but it’s a major issue for skilled labor employers.
When employers are looking to hire a new employee, they want to hire employees who will keep safety risks low. Employees who don’t follow safety precautions can cause harm to other employees or cost the company time/money.
Ultimately, an employer will have no problem firing someone who doesn’t adhere to the necessary safety requirements. Knowing how to do your job is important, but it’s also essential to know how to do it safely.
Showing Up to Work on Time
Another top answer to, “What makes a good tradesman?” is showing up to work on time.
Qualified tradesmen aren’t just knowledgeable about their trade, they’re also punctual. They don’t consistently show up late or frequently “call in sick.” Instead, they know when their job starts and make it a priority to be on time.
As a tradesman, showing up on time shows that you’re reliable and can often give you great rapport with your managers/supervisors.
Good Communication
Good communication skills are another mark of qualified tradesmen.
Your job or role as a tradesperson will rarely be independent of others in the company. Instead, you’ll most likely interact with a few other people, like the project manager or co-workers in a similar role to yours.
As a skilled laborer, you’ll need to have the ability to communicate clearly and in an organized manner. It’s also important that you have the ability to relay information across all levels of the company, whether supervisors or those working directly beside you.
Poor communication can lead to serious issues and misunderstandings. But good communication can ensure everyone’s on the same page and that everything runs smoothly.
Problem-solving Skills
Are you wondering, “What are some must-have construction skills and manufacturing skills?” Near the top of the list is the ability to problem-solve.
Problem-solving involves diagnosing a situation and finding a workable solution. It may mean looking at a problem and knowing:
- Where to start checking for issues
- The right part to replace
- Which tool to use
- What series of steps to follow
However, problem-solving may also include looking for an innovative solution and thinking outside the box.
Tradespeople who can diagnose a problem and get things back on track are highly valuable to employers looking to keep production running smoothly.
Continual Training and Development
Lastly, whether you’ve been in a trade for decades or are just starting your career, there are always new skills you can learn.
Industries, practices, and technology can change quickly, and those who stay up-to-date on what’s going on won’t fall behind others in the industry.
As a skilled laborer, it’s important that you don’t stop learning and growing once you land a job. Instead, jump on training opportunities that come your way. Attend trade conferences or watch videos from industry experts on how things are evolving.
Possessing a “learner’s attitude” and being willing to develop new skills can make you an employee that employers want to hire and keep around.
There are certainly other skills that can be valuable to tradespeople, but these are a few of the ones we wanted to highlight. However, possessing valuable skills is only beneficial if you can put them into practice.
Once you have qualities that make you a desirable hire, you need to find the right job. Here’s how to get a high-paying trade job.
How to Get More Work as a Tradesman
The current skilled worker shortage has employers desperately looking for qualified tradesmen, especially those who possess the skills mentioned above:
- Technical knowledge and expertise
- The ability to adhere to safety standards
- Reliability and punctuality
- Good communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- A drive to keep learning and growing professionally
But even with these skills, it can be tough to find the right job at the right company. Fortunately, we’re here to help.
At Skillwork, we make finding the right trade job easy. We know what makes a good tradesman and how to get them into the best jobs around the country. With our unique approach to skilled labor staffing, you can:
- Make up to $18/hour more than with another agency
- Travel to new locations and experience different work environments
- Learn new skills and build your resume
Fill out an online application today and begin putting your skills to work.
