The skilled trades have long been the backbone of modern society. And the demand for skilled tradespeople just keeps growing.
Careers in the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC trades offer exceptional opportunities for job stability and professional growth. These fields are at the forefront of innovation, incorporating renewable energy solutions, smart technologies, and eco-friendly practices.
In this post, we guide you through the essential skills, career opportunities, and sustainability trends shaping plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work. Read on to learn more about the top skilled trades programs to consider for 2025.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Why the Skilled Trades Matter
- Top Skilled Trades Programs to Consider
- The Role of Sustainability in Modern Trades
- Career Outlook for Skilled Trades in 2025
- Choosing the Right Skilled Trades Program for Your Career Goals
WHY THE SKILLED TRADES MATTER
The skilled trades are why we have modern infrastructure. From electricians ensuring reliable power grids to plumbers maintaining water systems to HVAC technicians regulating indoor climates, skilled tradespeople build and sustain the physical framework that keeps cities functioning.
With rapid advancements in technology, urbanization, and a growing focus on sustainability, the skilled trades are even more critical. The transition to renewable energy sources, smart infrastructure, and eco-friendly buildings demands expertise in cutting-edge techniques and tools. Plus, as aging infrastructure requires upgrades or replacements, skilled workers are essential for maintaining safety and efficiency.
Career opportunities in the skilled trades offer job security, excellent earning potential, and the satisfaction of seeing the immediate impact of your work. If you want a future where you’re in demand, constantly learning and making a difference, the skilled trades are a fantastic path to follow.
TOP SKILLED TRADES PROGRAMS TO CONSIDER
So which specific trades should you consider? Let’s look at three options.
Plumbing
Plumbing training teaches you the essentials of installing, repairing, and maintaining water supply, drainage, and gas systems. Specifically, you learn how to:
- Install sinks, faucets, toilets, showers, and other plumbing fixtures
- Join pipes and fittings securely
- Design and maintain systems to ensure efficient wastewater removal
- Adhere to building codes, safety regulations, and environmental standards
- Identify and solve issues such as leaks, blockages, and water pressure problems
- Install and maintain water heaters, boilers, and related systems
Career opportunities in the plumbing trade include:
- Residential plumber: Work on water and sewage systems in homes
- Commercial plumber: Handle large-scale systems in offices, schools, hospitals, and stores
- Industrial plumber: Manage complex systems in factories, refineries, and manufacturing plants
- Pipefitter or steamfitter: Specialize in high-pressure systems for heating and cooling
- Medical gas system installer: Work on the piping and equipment that delivers medical gases like oxygen and nitrous oxide to patients in hospitals
- Fire protection system installer: Install, maintain, and test indoor sprinkler systems
Plumbers have a variety of career options involving piping systems
Electrical
Electrical trades education prepares you to design, install, maintain and repair the wiring systems that keep our lights on, devices charged, and appliances running. Among other practical skills, you will learn how to:
- Understand basic principles such as voltage, current, and resistance
- Design and troubleshoot electrical circuits for different applications
- Bend, shape and install conduit for electrical wiring
- Work with motor control circuits, automation systems, and programmable logic controllers
- Install and maintain solar power and other renewable energy systems
- Use multimeters, oscilloscopes, and other testing equipment
- Follow electrical codes and safety standards
Career opportunities in the electrical trade include:
- Residential electrician: Install and maintain wiring, outlets, and lighting in homes
- Commercial electrician: Work on electrical systems in offices, schools, and stores
- Industrial electrician: Manage electrical systems in factories and plants
- Electrical inspector: Ensure installations comply with building codes and safety regulations
- Lineworker: Install and repair power lines and transmission systems
- Controls technician: Work with automation systems and programmable logic controllers
- Renewable energy technician: Install and maintain solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage systems
The electrical field is one of the in-demand trades for 2025
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
HVAC training programs show you how to work with indoor climate control systems. As an HVAC student, you will learn how to:
- Understand the principles of heating, cooling, and ventilation
- Install furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and ventilation systems
- Handle refrigerants
- Identify and fix issues like leaks, faulty compressors, or airflow problems
- Implement systems to improve indoor air quality, including filtration and humidity control
- Fabricate and install efficient duct systems for proper airflow
- Install and maintain smart thermostats and automated climate control systems
Career opportunities in the HVAC trade include:
- Residential HVAC technician: Install and maintain heating and air conditioning systems in homes
- Commercial HVAC technician: Manage large-scale climate control systems in offices, malls, hospitals, and schools
- Industrial HVAC technician: Maintain specialized systems for manufacturing plants or data centres
- Refrigeration technician: Specialize in commercial refrigeration systems for supermarkets, restaurants, and food storage facilities
- Building automation technician: Work with smart HVAC systems and automated building controls
- Energy auditor: Assess the energy efficiency of buildings and recommend solutions to reduce energy consumption
HVAC technicians keep indoor environments comfortable
THE ROLE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN MODERN TRADES
Energy efficiency and sustainability are becoming more and more integrated into the skilled trades. This is creating new avenues for professional development and the implementation of new technical standards.
For instance, plumbers install water-saving toilets, faucets, and shower heads. Greywater recycling systems are also used to repurpose water for non-potable applications like irrigation or toilet flushing. And tankless water heaters offer energy efficiency by only heating water on demand.
Electricians are implementing smart home automation systems that optimize energy use by controlling lighting, appliances, and power consumption remotely. Solar panels and battery storage solutions enable homes and businesses to reduce reliance on non-renewable power. And energy audits can identify inefficient systems, allowing electrical professionals to help clients lower their energy consumption.
HVAC professionals support sustainability by installing high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems. They also focus on proper insulation, air sealing, and ductwork design to maximize efficiency. Other sustainable practices include the use of eco-friendly refrigerants with lower global warming potential and the installation of geothermal heating and cooling systems, which use the earth’s natural temperature for efficient climate control.
Together, these trades help to advance energy efficiency and sustainability, reducing environmental impact while creating cost-effective infrastructure.
CAREER OUTLOOK FOR SKILLED TRADES IN 2025
The Government of Canada Job Bank gives electricians three out of five stars for outlook in Ontario. That means electricians can expect moderate employment growth through 2026. Plumbers and HVAC technicians have even stronger prospects, with both trades receiving a four-star rating.
Ontario's construction industry is expected to expand steadily over the next few years, and more skilled workers will be needed to meet the rising demand. BuildForce Canada estimates that the province will need to recruit over 140,000 construction workers by 2033 to account for retirements and keep up with industry needs.
The growing demand for plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians in Ontario is driven by several factors, including increased demand for housing, greater infrastructure development, and a wave of retirements among skilled tradespeople. The push to make buildings and systems more eco-friendly and energy efficient also boosts the need for skilled trades expertise.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SKILLED TRADES PROGRAM FOR YOUR CAREER GOALS
Choosing between plumbing, electrical, and HVAC depends on your interests, strengths, and the type of work environment you prefer. Here are some things to think about:
Plumbing
- Solving problems like leaks or blockages provides visible results and job satisfaction.
- Opportunities range from residential repairs to large-scale construction projects.
- Often involves working in confined spaces (attics, crawl spaces, under sinks), sometimes with exposure to unpleasant odours (sewage)
“Getting into tighter spaces is a challenge, but there are lots of things we can do to take care of ourselves,” says Herzing plumbing graduate Patrick Chan. “For one thing, I’ve invested in keep pads. So going under sinks for extended periods of time doesn’t bother me too much now.”
Electrical
- Increased reliance on technology, smart systems, and renewable energy creates consistent opportunities
- Ideal for those who enjoy detailed and analytical tasks
- Can involve working at heights, in confined spaces, and around live electrical equipment (inherent safety risks)
“The activity has been great for both my physical and mental health,” says Raechel Kula, who completed the combined electrical and network cabling program at Herzing. “I don’t have to go to the gym because we work had all day. It’s really nice, at 46, to say that I’m in the best shape of my life!”
HVAC
- Combines electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work, offering diverse tasks
- Involves lifting heavy equipment, crawling into tight spaces, and working on rooftops
- Can mean working in extreme temperatures.
“I remember once we were holding up the indoor head of a ductless unit that we had to install on a wall. It wasn’t the ideal location, but it was what the customer wanted,” recalls Kerianne Kerr, who graduated from Herzing’s HVAC program. “The unit was only maybe 20 pounds and it was easy to carry and lift, but holding it up for 10 minutes at a time, you start feeling it. So I’ve added endurance training as something that I’m going to need to be more consistent with.”
In short:
- Choose plumbing if you enjoy solving problems related to water systems and don’t mind physically demanding tasks.
- Choose electrical if you like precision work, troubleshooting circuits, and the idea of working with smart technologies.
- Choose HVAC if you prefer a mix of electrical and mechanical systems, enjoy solving diverse challenges, and want to work in climate control and energy efficiency.
No matter which trade you choose, you can enjoy long-term stability, growth potential, and the satisfaction of contributing to essential services.
KICK-START YOUR TRADES CAREER AT HERZING
Herzing College’s plumbing, electrical, and HVAC programs are designed to give you the knowledge and practical skills you need to impress an employer and get hired as an apprentice. Programs are available in Ottawa, Toronto, and Cambridge, and can be completed in a matter of months.
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