Tradies - the new class of entrepreneur

Tradies are the new class of entrepreneurs in Australia and this is a positive step forward. For the uninitiated, what is a tradie? A trade is defined as a vocational occupation with skills and knowledge developed through a formal apprenticeship.

Trades can be divided into market sectors from the engineering sectors employing machinists, fitters, boilermakers and welders, technicians and plant mechanics. There is the building sector requiring bricklayers, tillers, plumbers, carpenters, cabinet makers, plasters and painters.

The automotive industry requires light vehicle (car) mechanics, heavy vehicle (truck and bus) mechanics, motorbike mechanics, spray painters, automotive electricians, panel beaters and auto body finishers.

Then there is the hospitality sector with chefs, baristas and wait staff all dedicated to the consumer experience. There is hairdressing and beauticians, sports and recreation, manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, mining and retailing.

What we are seeing is entrepreneurial tradies opening plumbing businesses, carpentry shops, contract tilers offering their services business to business (B2B), electrical repairers advertising directly to the public and opening retail premises.

Why sit through years of university for a worthless degree with little to no job prospects when you could complete a trade in the same timeframe earning money as you progress and completing your qualification with no student debt.

With the exception of the STEM areas where there is a definite requirement and demand, many tertiary areas do not have sufficient vacancies. I feel that if an individual then wants to progress to university as a mature age entrant then all good - that's what I did.

Tradies are completing apprenticeships, gaining further experience and then engaging in entrepreneurship to ply their trade - fantastic. Their skills and knowledge are in demand and they are employing people adding value to the economy.