Tradesman
A tradesman, tradesperson or skilled tradesman refers to a worker that specializes in a particular trade or craft requiring skill .
History
- The terms "skilled worker," "craftsman," "artisan," and "tradesman" were used in senses that overlap. All describe people with specialized training in the skills needed for a particular kind of work. Some of them produced goods that they sold from their own premises (e.g., bootmakers, saddlers, hatmakers, jewelers, glassblowers); others (e.g., typesetters, bookbinders, wheelwrights) were employed to do one part of the production in a business that required a variety of skilled workers. Still others were factory hands who had become experts in some complex part of the process and could command high wages and steady employment. Skilled workers in the building trades (e.g., carpenters, masons, plumbers, painters, plasterers, glaziers) were also referred to by one or another of these terms."[1]
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.[2] Skilled tradesmen worked either in traditional handicraft workshops or newer factories that emerged during the Industrial Revolution.[2] Traditional handicraft roles included, for example: "sail-maker, candle-maker, cooper, jappaner, lapidary and taxidermist, cannister-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."[2]
Modern use and list of skilled trades
Tradesmen are contrasted with unskilled workers (laborers), agricultural workers, and professionals (those in the learned professions).[3] Skilled tradesmen are distinguished:
- from unskilled workers (e.g., laborers) in that the unskilled workers "rely heavily on physical exertion" while those in the skilled trades rely on "specific knowledge, skills, and abilities."[4] Both types of work, however, are considered blue-collar.[4]
- from professionals in that the professionals have a higher duty of care[5] and routinely make decisions "on the basis of expertise and ability in complex situations where there may be no, or little, previous history."[6]
There is no definitive list of modern skilled trades, as definitions vary, with some lists being broader than others.[7]
A June 2013 report by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, however, generated the following list of trades (divided into industrial, construction, and service skilled trades), along with their Standard Occupational Classification System code:[7]
- Skilled industrial trades
- 47‐2011 Boilermakers
- 47‐2111 Electricians
- 47‐2152 Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- 49‐2095 Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- 49‐9041 Industrial machinery mechanics
- 49‐9043 Maintenance workers, machinery
- 49‐9044 Millwrights
- 49‐9069 Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other
- 49‐9071 General maintenance and repair workers
- 49‐9096 Riggers
- 51‐4012 CNC machine tool programmers
- 51‐4041 Machinists
- 51‐4061 Model makers, metal and plastic
- 51‐4062 Patternmakers, metal and plastic
- 51‐4111 Tool and die makers
- 51‐4121 Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
- 51‐4194 Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
- 51‐7011 Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters
- 51‐7031 Model makers, wood
- 51‐7032 Patternmakers, wood
- 51‐8021 Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- 51‐8031 Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Skilled construction trades
- 47‐2011 Boilermakers
- 47‐2021 Brickmasons and blockmasons
- 47‐2031 Carpenters
- 47‐2044 Tile and marble setters
- 47‐2051 Cement masons and concrete finishers
- 47‐2053 Terrazzo workers and finishers
- 47‐2073 Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- 47‐2111 Electricians
- 47‐2121 Glaziers
- 47‐2132 Insulation workers, mechanical
- 47‐2141 Painters, construction and maintenance
- 47‐2151 Pipelayers
- 47‐2152 Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- 47‐2161 Plasterers and stucco masons
- 47‐2211 Sheet metal workers
- 47‐2221 Structural iron and steel workers
- 47‐4021 Elevator installers and repairers
- 49‐9021 Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
- 49‐9096 Riggers
- 53‐7021 Crane and tower operators
- Skilled service trades
- 29‐2021 Dental hygienists
- 29‐2041 Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
- 29‐2057 Ophthalmic medical technicians
- 31‐9091 Dental assistants
- 31‐9092 Medical assistants
- 31‐9094 Medical transcriptionists
- 31‐9097 Phlebotomists
- 35‐1011 Chefs and head cooks
- 39‐4031 Morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors
- 39‐5012 Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- 39‐5092 Manicurists and pedicurists
- 43‐6012 Legal secretaries
- 43‐6013 Medical secretaries
- 49‐3021 Automotive body and related repairers
- 49‐3023 Automotive service technicians and mechanics
- 49‐3031 Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- 49‐3041 Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians
- 51‐3011 Bakers
- 51‐6041 Shoe and leather workers and repairers
- 51‐9071 Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
- 51‐9081 Dental laboratory technicians
- 51‐9082 Medical appliance technicians
- 53‐2012 Commercial pilots
Earnings and social standing
A British study found that, after taking student loan repayments into account, a higher apprenticeship (at level 5 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework, equivalent to a foundation degree) 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.[8]
According to data released from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, lists the wages and expected job openings of skilled trades with educational requirements ranging from an associate degree to a high school diploma.[9]
Occupation | Required education | Median annual wage in May 2010 |
Projected job openings from 2010 to 2020 |
Required work experience in a related occupation |
On-the-job training |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Air traffic controller | Associate degree | $108,040 | 10,200 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
General manager or Operations manager | Associate degree | $94,400 | 410,100 | 1 to 5 years | None. |
Construction management | Associate degree | $83,860 | 120,400 | More than 5 years | None |
Radiation therapist | Associate degree | $74,980 | 6,700 | None | None |
Nuclear medicine technologist | Associate degree | $68,560 | 7,500 | None | None |
Dental hygienist | Associate degree | $68,250 | 104,900 | None | None |
Nuclear technician | Associate degree | $68,090 | 3,300 | None | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Registered nurse | Associate degree | $64,690 | 1,207,400 | None | None |
Diagnostic medical sonographer | Associate degree | $64,380 | 31,700 | None | None |
Aerospace engineering technologist | Associate degree | $58,080 | 1,700 | None | None |
Engineering technologist | Associate degree | $58,020 | 16,800 | None | None |
Electrical engineering technician or Electronics engineering technician | Associate degree | $56,040 | 31,800 | None | None |
Radiologic technician | Associate degree | $54,340 | 95,100 | None | None |
Funeral service manager, director, mortician, or undertaker | Associate degree | $54,330 | 10,700 | None | Apprenticeship |
Respiratory therapist | Associate degree | $54,280 | 52,700 | None | None |
Geological and petroleum technician | Associate degree | $54,020 | 7,000 | None | Moderate-term on-the-job training. |
Electrical and electronics drafter | Associate degree | $53,020 | 7,200 | None | None |
Occupational therapy assistant | Associate degree | $51,010 | 16,800 | None | None |
Precision instrument and equipment repairer | Associate degree | $50,910 | 5,500 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Mechanical engineering technician | Associate degree | $50,110 | 10,400 | None | None |
First-line supervisor of firefighters and fire prevention workers | Postsecondary non-degree award | $68,240 | 33,100 | 1 to 5 years | None |
Commercial pilot | Postsecondary non-degree award | $67,500 | 19,300 | None | None |
Electrical and electronics repairer (powerhouse, substation, and relay) | Postsecondary non-degree award | $65,230 | 6,900 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Insurance appraiser (automotive) | Postsecondary non-degree award | $56,230 | 2,700 | None | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Telecommunications equipment installer and repairer, except line installer | Postsecondary non-degree award | $54,710 | 59,300 | None | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Aircraft maintenance technician | Postsecondary non-degree award | $53,420 | 45,200 | None | None |
Railroad switch and signal repairer | Postsecondary non-degree award | $53,230 | 1,300 | None | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
First-line supervisor of production and operating workers | Postsecondary non-degree award | $53,090 | 87,900 | 1 to 5 years | None |
Avionics technician | Postsecondary non-degree award | $52,320 | 5,800 | None | None |
Electrical and electronics repairer (commercial and industrial equipment) | Postsecondary non-degree award | $51,820 | 17,700 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Commercial diver | Postsecondary non-degree award | $51,360 | 1,300 | None | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Manager | High school diploma | $96,450 | 249,400 | 1 to 5 years | None |
Transportation, storage, and distribution manager | High school diploma | $80,210 | 33,700 | More than 5 years | None |
First-line supervisor of police and detectives | High school diploma | $78,260 | 38,700 | 1 to 5 years | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Administrative services manager (payroll and benefits) | High school diploma | $77,890 | 99,800 | 1 to 5 years | None |
Nuclear power reactor operator | High school diploma | $75,650 | 2,000 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Elevator mechanic | High school diploma | $70,910 | 8,200 | None | Apprenticeship |
Power station distributor and dispatcher | High school diploma | $68,900 | 3,600 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
First-line supervisor of non-retail sales workers | High school diploma | $68,880 | 123,500 | More than 5 years | None |
Detective | High school diploma | $68,820 | 30,100 | 1 to 5 years | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Fashion designer | High school diploma | $64,530 | 6,700 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Power station operator | High school diploma | $63,080 | 14,400 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Business operations specialist | High school diploma | $62,450 | 327,200 | Less than 1 year | Long-term on-the-job training |
Media and communication equipment worker | High school diploma | $61,680 | 3,300 | None | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Agriculture manager | High school diploma | $60,750 | 234,500 | More than 5 years | None |
Postmaster or mail superintendent | High school diploma | $60,300 | 4,800 | 1 to 5 years | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Oil refinery operator | High school diploma | $60,040 | 14,400 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
First-line supervisor of mechanics, installers, and repairers | High school diploma | $59,150 | 164,900 | 1 to 5 years | None |
Artists and related workers | High school diploma | $58,840 | 4,800 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
First-line supervisor of construction workers or natural resource extraction workers | High school diploma | $58,680 | 259,700 | More than 5 years | None |
Claims adjuster examiner, or investigator | High school diploma | $58,620 | 79,900 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Lineman | High school diploma | $58,030 | 52,700 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Gas plant operator | High school diploma | $57,200 | 4,500 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Rapid transit driver | High school diploma | $56,880 | 2,800 | None | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Purchasing manager | High school diploma | $56,580 | 91,200 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Loan officer | High school diploma | $56,490 | 115,200 | None | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
First-line supervisor of corrections officers | High school diploma | $55,910 | 16,500 | 1 to 5 years | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Chemical plant operator | High school diploma | $55,490 | 14,100 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Real estate broker | High school diploma | $54,910 | 29,700 | 1 to 5 years | None |
Boilermaker | High school diploma | $54,640 | 11,800 | None | Apprenticeship |
Transit policeman or Railroad policeman | High school diploma | $54,330 | 1,100 | None | Short-term on-the-job training |
Agricultural purchasing agent | High school diploma | $54,220 | 3,200 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Mail carrier | High school diploma | $53,860 | 103,400 | None | Short-term on-the-job training |
Police officer | High school diploma | $53,540 | 249,400 | None | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Indoor postal worker | High school diploma | $53,100 | 15,500 | None | Short-term on-the-job training |
Postal service mail sorter, processor, or processing machine operator | High school diploma | $53,080 | 7,500 | None | Short-term on-the-job training |
First-line supervisor of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators | High school diploma | $52,720 | 69,300 | 1 to 5 years | None |
Sales representative, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products | High school diploma | $52,440 | 559,900 | None | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Building code inspector | High school diploma | $52,360 | 48,600 | More than 5 years | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Fire marshal | High school diploma | $52,230 | 4,700 | More than 5 years | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Stationary engineer | High school diploma | $52,140 | 10,600 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Plant or system operator | High school diploma | $51,980 | 3,700 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Paralegal | High school diploma | $51,800 | 9,600 | None | Short-term on-the-job training |
Property manager | High school diploma | $51,480 | 82,300 | 1 to 5 years | None |
Telecommunications line installer or repairer | High school diploma | $50,850 | 51,400 | None | Long-term on-the-job training |
Sales representative | High school diploma | $50,620 | 270,100 | None | Short-term on-the-job training |
See also
- Grey-collar worker
- Guild
- Journeyman
- List of construction trades
- Master craftsman
- Skilled worker
- Trade union
- Technician
- Vocational education
References
- ↑ Sally Mitchell, Daily Life in Victorian England (Greenwood: 1996), p. 60.
- 1 2 3 Erik Olssen, Building the New World: Work, Politics, and Society in Caversham, 1880s-1920s (Auckland University Press, 1995), pp. 47-49.
- ↑ Whitney, William D., ed.. "Trade." Def, 7. The Century Dictionary: An Encyclopedic Lexicon of the English Language vol. 8. New York. The Century Co. 1895. 6,415.
- 1 2 Wanda J. Campbell & Robert A. Ramos, "Blue-collar Selection in Private Sector Organizations" in Handbook of Employee Selection (eds. James L. Farr, Nancy T. Tippins: Taylor & Francis 2010), p. 741.
- ↑ Robert D. Sprauge, "Liability for System and Data Quality" in Social, Ethical and Policy Implications of Information Technology (eds. Linda L. Brennan & Victoria Elizabeth Johnson: Idea Group: 2004), p. 194)
- ↑ Christopher Lawless, Forensic Science: A Sociological Introduction (Routledge, 2016), p. 62.
- 1 2 Employment and Occupations in the Skilled Trades in Michigan, Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives (June 2013).
- ↑ "Levels of Success". Sutton Trust. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
- ↑ Torpey, Elka (2012). "High wages after high school - without a bachelor's degree" (PDF). Occupational Outlook Quarterly. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
External links
Look up tradesman in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- Torpey, Elka (2012). "High wages after high school - without a bachelor's degree" (PDF). Occupational Outlook Quarterly. Bureau of Labor Statistics.