Tradesman


A tradesman, skilled tradesman, skilled tradesperson or tradie refers to a worker who specializes in a particular occupation that requires work experience, on-the-job training, and often formal vocational education, but not a bachelor's degree.

History

In Victorian England:
One study of Caversham, New Zealand at the turn of the century notes that a skilled trade was considered a trade that required an apprenticeship to entry. Skilled tradesmen worked either in traditional handicraft workshops or newer factories that emerged during the Industrial Revolution. Traditional handicraft roles included, for example: "sail-maker, candle-maker, cooper, japanner, lapidary and taxidermist, canister-maker, furrier, cap-maker, dobbin-maker, french-polisher, baker, miller, brewer, confectioner, watch-maker, tinsmith, glazier, maltster, wood-turner, saddler, shipwright, scale-maker, engraver and cutler."

Modern use and list of skilled trades

Tradesmen are contrasted with unskilled workers, agricultural workers, and professionals. Skilled tradesmen are distinguished:
There is no definitive list of modern skilled trades, as definitions vary, with some lists being broader than others.
A June 2013 report by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, however, generated the following list of trades, along with their Standard Occupational Classification System code:
A British study found that, after taking student loan repayments into account, a higher apprenticeship delivered higher lifetime median earnings than a degree from a university outside the Russell Group. Despite this, polling for the report found that apprenticeships have a lower perceived value than bachelor's degrees.
Data from the United States shows that, although vocational education is usually less financially lucrative in the long term than a bachelor's degree, it can still provide a respectable income at much less cost in time and money. Even ten years after graduation, there are many people with a certificate or associate degree who earn more money than those with a B.A.
The average taxable income for the top trades in Australia can be up to $100,000, while the average for all Australians is $85,800. As of 2020, the fastest growing trades in demand are Fencing, Handyman and Roofing.