Herzing Skilled Trades

Updated December 2023

With the construction industry booming and large numbers of older workers retiring, the time is right to begin a career in the skilled trades.

While there is currently high demand for many occupations related to construction, new grads still have to compete for great jobs. Choosing to learn two trades is an excellent strategy for maximizing your opportunities in the job market.

Updated January 2024

There's no doubt that gas-powered appliances play an extremely important role in our lives. They're used for cooking meals, safely storing food, heating buildings, and many other purposes in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

However, they must be properly installed and maintained by trained professionals to function effectively and safely.

Installing and servicing these types of appliances is the job of the gas technician. It's a challenging and rewarding occupation that can also pave the way for plumbing, HVAC, and appliance technician work.

If you're interested in pursuing a gas tech career in Ontario, your specific duties, salary, and job opportunities are highly dependent on the level of licensing you achieve.

The starting point for work in this field is the Gas Technician 3 training program. With additional training, you can earn the more advanced G2 and G1 certifications.

Wondering what exactly is the difference between a level 3 and level 2 licence? Read on for a full breakdown.

Updated December 2023

Should you become an electrician? If you look at it from an employment and salary angle, the answer is easy.

Electricians have been in steady demand across Ontario for the past several years—and the trend is expected to continue.

Construction projects in Ontario cities are creating plenty of jobs for electricians. The government is investing in education, healthcare, and transit building projects, and there are many condos going up in urban centres throughout the province.

Salaries for electricians are also going strong. The median wage for electricians in Ontario right now is $34 per hour, or about $71,000 a year.

At the high end of the pay scale, electricians are making $50 per hour—that's $104,000 a year. (Salary information is based on the latest report from the Government of Canada Job Bank.)

But it's not all about money.

To do well in electrician training, and feel happy in your career, you'll need a certain set of professional and personal skills.

So let's take a look at eight of the most important skills for successful electricians.

By the time you reach number eight, you'll have a much better idea of whether this trade is right for you (plus some helpful links and steps to take next). Let's get started.

In today's competitive job market, having expertise in a secondary trade can really increase your job options.

Building a diverse skillset makes you eligible for a much wider range of employment opportunities, giving you better chances for finding which career path works best for you.

This is why combined trades training could be your best choice.

Updated December 2023

If you're the type of person who likes solving problems and is curious about how mechanical things work, you should consider pursuing a career as an electrician.

These skilled technicians are responsible for creating the wiring that powers our society, from our homes and workplaces to the lights on our streets.

Not only is it an important occupation for keeping our modern lives running smoothly and safely, but an electrician career also offers excellent job security and employment prospects.

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.