Herzing Skilled Trades

Updated January 2024

Communication networks are one of the connecting foundations of modern society, essential to both business and leisure for enabling information to travel freely throughout the world.

This data and voice information that links people and places typically moves from one network device to another through the use of cabling systems.

Network cabling technicians have the important job of installing and repairing these telecommunications lines that we all rely on. This career requires a specialized understanding of various cabling and media, physical and logical networks, and signal transmission.

Curious about what exactly network cabling technicians do and the sort of employment opportunities you can expect?

Here's what you need to know.

Updated January 2024

Been considering taking plumber training for a while, and wondering if this is the year you should take the leap?

Beginning a new career path is challenging for many people, especially if it involves going back to school. Will the effort be worth it? Will the investment in plumber training pay off with reliable, rewarding work after graduation?

These are some of the questions we tackle in this post, as we break down what we consider the top five reasons to seize the day and start a plumber program this year.

Image source: Flickr

Updated December 2023

Gas technicians (or gas fitters) work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They're employed by construction companies, HVAC or gas-servicing firms, and utilities companies—or may even be self-employed.

Updated December 2023

So long as humanity continues to rely on plumbing technology, we will need experienced, skilled plumbers to install, repair, and maintain the systems we use every day.

Residential, commercial, industrial construction—plumbers can specialize in any of these areas. You can work for a company or start your own business.

But like any trade, becoming a plumber means taking on certain challenges.  Do the pros outweigh the cons?

Take a look at the top advantages and drawbacks of life as a plumber and decide for yourself.

Whether it's an overflowing bowl or something very odd flushed down the drain—toilet troubles are often a source of embarrassment, stress, and frustration for homeowners.

Many of your future clients will try to troubleshoot (or simply ignore) their malfunctioning toilet until it becomes a genuine emergency, or simply too annoying to bear.

What kinds of issues can you expect to deal with most often after plumbing training? Here are your top five most common toilet problems and the causes you'll investigate first when solving them.

Updated May 2023

Did you know that the voltage and available electrical current in a regular home or business has enough power to cause death by electrocution?

The truth is, all electrical systems have the potential to cause harm. Your body is a natural conductor of electricity and is vulnerable to electrical shocks and burns.

These include thermal burns that affect both the external skin and internal tissues—and arc blasts that can cause your lungs to collapse, or muscles to contract, causing a serious fall. Direct contact with energized conductors or circuit parts can interfere with the brain, make it difficult to breathe, or even stop your heart.

Working with electricity is serious business!

If you're taking electrician training or about to begin an apprenticeship, these are eight essential safety measures to know and respect.

Plumbing students at Herzing College Skilled Trades

Updated October 2022

There's so much to learn and remember at the start of trades training. Plumbing courses are no different. From technical terminology, tool names, building codes, and procedures to just learning the names of your classmates—it can feel overwhelming at first.

However, with good instruction, hard work, and hands-on practice, your understanding and confidence will grow.  Before you know it, you'll be finished pre-apprenticeship training, completing your apprenticeship, and earning your Certificate of Qualification.

But in the meantime, what are some ways to ease your transition from plumber newbie to experienced pro?

Follow these five simple rules and you'll do just fine—not just in plumber courses, but throughout your entire career.

Planning to enrol in an electrician program? Have you given any thought to what environment you'd like to work in or areas you'd like to specialize in as you progress in your career?

Electricians work in several different domains: domestic, commercial, and industrial.  Each path comes with its own unique challenges, technical demands, and specialized skills.

A plumber diagnoses the source of a leaky pipe (image courtesy of Ocean Yamaha)

Considering plumber training and wondering what kinds of problems you'll face on a day-to-day  basis?

Home and commercial building owners often wait till the last minute to seek professional plumbing help. When you get there, you will often encounter ill-fated attempts at DIY fixes and neglected issues that have multiplied into messy and expensive jobs.

And of course, you will get called in to fix those pesky little plumbing problems we all face from time to time—the routine water and drainage issues that derail our routines and totally disrupt our lives.

This post looks at three such problems and how you can expect to handle them after finishing plumbing training.

HVAC technicians monitor the refrigeration weight and pressure of a chiller in order to correctly recharge the unit (Source: Flikr)

If a client calls complaining about an air conditioner or heat pump not working properly, a refrigerant leak is one possible source of the problem.

Not only do refrigerant leaks impair system performance, waste money, and hurt the environment, they're also poisonous to humans.