Why You Should Be Certified as a Tradie

Starting your career in a trade is very much about hands-on, on-the-job learning. In other words, you can learn a lot simply by doing the job. So why should anyone go to TAFE to get certified as a tradie?

In this article, we discuss the enormous benefits to getting a trade qualification certificate in Australia. By doing building and construction certificates, you learn in a structured way, cover all the bases, and qualify for important licences and registrations. We also talk about how experienced tradies can get certified without having to study full time through a little something called recognition of prior learning. Read on to find out why you should be certified as a tradie.

Is becoming a certified tradie worth it?

Helps you earn more money

Did you know that tradies with building and construction certificates earn more?

That’s right, by taking a certificate or a diploma, you’ll boost your income – no matter what type of tradie you are. Check out our quiz to find out how much more you could be earning by getting certified.

Helps you get a licence

Having a licence is a huge advantage. Customers these days expect their tradies to hold licences, and they’re not shy about asking for your licence or simply looking you up through Licensed Trades. Without a licence, you miss out on the majority of customers who are savvy to the law. But at the same time, by getting your licence you’ll get more jobs than those who don’t.

To get a builders’ licence in Victoria, you need to meet the following requirements:

•       Have at least 3 years’ full-time experience in your chosen building category (e.g. commercial, domestic)
•       Be able to prove your experience
•       Pass a written test and/or have an interview
•       Know all of the national building codes

While some tradies may be able to pass their tests and get their licenses through experience alone, getting certified greatly improves your chances. By completing building and construction certificates, you safeguard against gaps in your knowledge.

Helps you get insurance

Getting a trades licence is also the only way for you to get public liability insurance. Again, most customers are going to ask whether you have insurance – because if you don’t, they are liable for any losses. Most customers aren’t willing to take a chance on uninsured tradies, so get certified to help you get your licence and insurance.

Shows your work ethic

Like licenses and insurance, building and construction certificates show that you’ve got a good work ethic. This is extremely important because it shows customers that you do business the right way. This builds trust and loyalty with customers, who are more likely to recommend you to their friends and relatives. Naturally, new prospects are more likely to give you work if they see you’re committed to learning, perfecting, and getting certified in your trade.

Improves safety

Injuries are extremely common in the building and construction industry. But proper training and safety procedures greatly reduce the risk of injury. By getting a trade qualification certificate in Australia, you learn all of the best practices in building and construction safety.

Improving safety is obviously going to be good for you, as it helps reduce the risk of being out of work temporarily, or even permanently, through disability. But it also sends a good message to your customers and the people you work with, which is good for business all-round.

Fills gaps in your knowledge

Many tradies have years of experience and no certificates or diplomas. Through their hard work and dedication over the years, they’ve no doubt learnt many things that newer, certified tradies haven’t. That said, certified tradies have acquired essential knowledge in a structured way. Experienced tradies might have gaps in their knowledge because they’ve been learning on the job, in an unstructured way.

The good news is that for experienced tradies, getting certified is easy. Instead of going through years of training, you can simply prove your knowledge through recognition of prior learning and spend time only on those small gaps in your learning (more on this below).

How do you qualify as a tradie?

Get building and construction certificates

There are many different types of building and construction certificates, apprenticeships and diplomas. At Builders Academy Australia, we offer courses in carpentry, building, plumbing and more. Our courses give you practical, on-the-job training, and teach you everything you need to know to succeed in your chosen trade.

Get recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is for experienced tradies. It lets you get your trade qualification certificate in Australia without going back to study full time. Getting RPL in Melbourne or Victoria is easier than you might think. You simply meet with an assessor who helps you demonstrate the skills and knowledge you’ve gained over the years. They also help you identify any areas for improvement before you get certified. Learn more about RPL here.

Want to become a certified tradie? We’ll answer any questions you may have. Contact our team at 1300 LEGEND (1300 534 363) or request a call back today.

 

This article has been revised and republished on 23 May 2022.