The best job for the future? Trades and tickets you can get without a degree

Why trades are the best job for the future

The world of work is changing fast, and it is not always easy to see which jobs will still be around in five, ten or twenty years.

The rule of thumb is simple: if your job can be done cheaper overseas, look for a different job. Nobody can build a house, control traffic at a roadworks site or look after children from the other side of the world. That is why the best jobs for the future are more likely to be in trades than in manufacturing or white-collar careers.

Years ago, a university degree was close to a guaranteed job for life. Now the best jobs for the future are just as likely to be ones you don't need a degree for. There are many rewarding opportunities for people who are not interested in university. Carry out your own quick job search and you will find the future is in construction careers, caring work and niche careers built on upskilling.

Pick work you will enjoy

Think about where you feel happiest. Chances are you will be working for the next forty or fifty years, so you might as well enjoy it.

• You hate being cooped up inside all day. Choose construction or traffic control, where your workplace is a site or a road, not an office.
• You like a physical job. Building work keeps you active all day.
• You want to care for others. Work with children in education and care.
• You want to keep learning. Add a new ticket whenever you want the next step up.

Keep your own strengths in mind as you choose. Then pick the course that opens the door.

Construction: start with the White Card

The White Card is the nationally recognised construction induction training you need before you can work on an Australian construction site. It is the first step into any construction career, from labouring to an apprenticeship.

Training Aid Australia (RTO 91411) issues White Card in New South Wales. Edway Training (RTO 91401) issues it in Victoria, South Australia, the ACT, Tasmania and Western Australia. The issuing RTO is shown on the course page before you book.

Once you have the card, every extra ticket lets you take on more tasks on site. Working at Heights is nationally recognised training for work where you could fall, such as roofing, building work and high-rise storage. Edway Training (RTO 91401) runs it in Sydney.

Read what tickets you need for construction work.

Traffic control: work outdoors on the roads

Roadworks and infrastructure projects need traffic controllers to keep workers and drivers safe.

In Victoria, the Traffic Control course (TC1 + TMI1) is the entry qualification you need to control traffic and set up traffic management on urban streets and low-volume rural roads. Edway Training (RTO 91401) delivers and issues it as one combined 3-day course.

Read how to become a traffic controller in Victoria.

Caring work: Childcare First Aid

If you want a caring career working with children, think Childcare First Aid.

Childcare First Aid (HLTAID012) is nationally recognised first aid for education and care staff. It is the ACECQA-approved qualification covering first aid, asthma and anaphylaxis. Training Aid Australia (RTO 91411) issues it, and it runs in person in Sydney and Melbourne.

Read whether teachers and childcare workers need Childcare First Aid.

Upskill with short courses

If you love the job you do already, upskilling is how you take the next step up. Each new ticket widens the work you can take on, and the more you hold, the more employable you are.

Asbestos Awareness is a self-paced online course in recognising asbestos and avoiding exposure. It suits plumbers, labourers and tradespeople. It is non-accredited, so you receive a Certificate of Completion, and it does not authorise you to remove asbestos.

Next step

Ready to start? Book your White Card and take the first step into construction. Not sure which course fits? Get in touch and we will help you find the right one.