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Starting a business

How to Become a Tradie

Tradies represent the skilled tradespeople who maintain the infrastructure of the country. Tradies can specialise in many trades, from carpentry to plumbing. Becoming a Tradie can be a long journey. You’ll need to complete an apprenticeship, get your certifications, and gain practical experience. 

In this article, we’ll give you a guide on how you can become a Tradie, including details on the broader industry and how QuickBooks can help you after you become a Tradie.

What is a Tradie? 

A Tradie, which is short for a tradesperson, is someone who has undergone official training and acquired hands-on experience in a particular trade. These trades include anything from carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, bricklaying, and various other fields that relate to construction. Tradies play a crucial role in Australia's economy by actively contributing to the development and maintenance of its infrastructure.

How to Become a Tradie 

Becoming a tradesperson follows a well-structured path that combines practical training with formal education. If you’re ready to start your career as a Tradie, here are the steps you need to follow: 

Step 1. Choose Your Trade

The first thing you need to do is select a trade that matches your interests, skills, and career goals. In Australia, there are over 400 trades to choose from, including traditional ones like carpentry and plumbing, as well as more specialised fields like welding and refrigeration mechanics.

Step 2. Find an Employer

Once you've decided on your desired trade, start looking for employers who are willing to take on apprentices. You can explore online job portals and networking platforms or even approach businesses directly to secure an apprenticeship opportunity.

You can also find apprenticeships through TAFE and other government programs such as: 

Step 3. Register as an Apprentice

Register yourself as an apprentice through the Australian government's Apprenticeships platform. Provide all the necessary information about yourself, your chosen trade, and your employer to kickstart your formal training journey.

Step 4. Complete Your Apprenticeship

Engage in a combination of on-the-job training and classroom learning provided by your employer and Registered Training Organizations (RTOs). The duration of apprenticeships can vary depending on the trade you've chosen but typically range from one to four years.

Step 5. Obtain Your Trade Qualification

Once you have successfully completed your apprenticeship program, you will need to undergo a trade qualification examination that assesses both your theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Once you successfully finish, you'll be awarded a qualification that is recognized nationwide. This will open up opportunities for your career as a skilled tradesperson.

Step 6. Keep Growing Your Skills

Obtaining your trade qualification is just the beginning. It's important to stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and advanced techniques by attending workshops, seminars, and continuous training programs.

Following these steps will set you on the right path towards becoming a skilled tradesperson.

How QuickBooks Can Help Tradies 

If you decide that you want to become a contractor or create your own Trades business, QuickBooks is here to help. Navigating your finances plays an important role in creating a successful business. If you’re new to self-employment or business ownership, then managing your accounting tasks can be tricky. Using accounting software from QuickBooks can help you make accounting for your business easier. 

Invoicing is a big part of being a self-employed Tradie. It’s how you receive payment and maintain your cash flow. With QuickBooks, you can create and send professional invoices quickly and accurately. You can also customise these invoices with your branding to appear more professional to your new clients.

QuickBooks also makes expense tracking seamless by allowing you to connect your accounts to QuickBooks and capture receipts through your mobile devices in real-time. 

Sign up for QuickBooks Online today and discover both the convenience and effectiveness of accounting software that caters to the unique needs of Tradies. 

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