Blog>Trade>Starting a Business>Top training courses for tradespeople looking to get ahead
Last updated: 18 December 2024
Top training courses for tradespeople looking to get ahead
A profitable way to grow your business could be diversifying what you do by upskilling in new areas. This article looks at training options for ambitious tradespeople.
It can be frustrating having to pass on jobs where you feel you lack the necessary skills. Even more so if you know you have the capacity to take on more work.
The answer could be learning new skills. With the right approach, you can be a jack of more trades AND a master of them as well.
Upskilling to diversify your trade business comes down to deciding:
What new skills will complement what you already do
Choosing new skills where demand is high for tradespeople
Balancing any costs of upskilling with expected extra revenue from taking on more work
Here, we look at some popular trades for upskilling.
Gas and heating training choices
Whether you already work in the industry or are looking to expand your operations, there are a number of possibilities to consider.
For example, if you have special skills in central heating, gas, ventilation or air conditioning, there is always more to learn.
Renewables training for heating installers
One action for heating installers looking to get ahead is to focus on training for renewable technologies and heat pumps. A good example is central heating engineers upskilling for heat pump installations.
What's more, the government offers grants for upgrading boilers. So it's no surprise then that demand for renewable alternatives is on the up.
Here's a selection of courses:
NICEICE
The NICEICE – Heat Pumps course is designed for heating and plumbing engineers to provide the necessary skills across all aspects of ground and air source heat pump systems.
Logic4Training
Logic4Training – Heat Pump Courses have been designed for experienced heating installers who wish to fit heat pumps in domestic and small commercial properties.
GTEC
Courses here include ground source heat pump installation and air source heat pump installation course.
They're designed to provide level three qualifications and cover air-to-water and ground-to-water heat pump technologies. The courses also provide detailed theory and practical knowledge.
Gas engineer training
Training to be a gas engineer will give you the necessary qualifications for this demanding trade role.
Training in this field is handy whether you are starting out as a gas engineer or are more experienced.
Logic4Training
Logic4Training offers a wide variety of gas engineering courses. Courses are initially based in one of its professional training centres. Here you’ll learn the theoretical side and the essential practical skills of becoming a Gas Safe engineer.
Able Skills
Able Skills offers a range of courses. These include beginners, already skilled and plumbers looking to broaden their skills.
Learn how to win more work
We can help you find more sales in your area
Electrician opportunities
With so many uses throughout the home, a standard electrician, or an auto electrician for vehicles, will always be needed, and always find themselves in work.
If you're looking to expand your skill base, there are many opportunities to explore.
Electrical training courses
It could be a good time for you to train as an electrician or upskill if you already are one.
Tradeskills4U
All the basics are covered here to train as an electrician.
Learn Technique
Learn Technique offers a range of electrician courses for a range of levels.
Electric charger training for electricians
The government is targeting vehicle manufacturers with 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035. That means more electric vehicles (EV) on the road.
Given the rise in EV numbers, electricians looking to take on more work should look to get training on domestic electric vehicle charging point installation.
Fortunately, there are a number of relevant courses on offer through some of the nation’s leading training providers. They include:
TradeSkills4U
The TradeSkills4U – Electric Car/Vehicle Charging Point Installers Course covers all the key skills to install, fault find, inspect and test electric vehicle charging points.
NICEIC
The NICEIC – Electric Vehicle Charging Course teaches you how to install electric vehicle charging points in compliance with BS 7671, the Electrical Safety Quality and Continuity Regulations and the new IET Code of Practice.
Proactive Technical Training
The Proactive Technical Training – Electrical Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation qualification aims to provide expert guidance to learners wanting to gain knowledge and understanding of electric vehicle charging equipment installation.
Access control training for locksmiths
Lock systems are becoming ‘smarter’ and access control systems more popular. Locksmiths looking to add an extra string to their bow might find training in this area a hugely profitable decision.
Widening your skillset and accepting access control work can help you to further grow your business and take on more work. If you’re looking to get ahead of the crowd, consider booking one of these courses:
MPL
The MPL Locksmith Training – Access Control Course course works through every aspect of access control right from basic standalone applications through to Net2 High Security solutions and advanced access control solutions.
North West Security Systems
The North West Security Systems – Access Control for Commercial Properties and Residential Buildings course helps you to increase security and improve safety with effective and affordable access control.
Master Locksmith Association
The Master Locksmiths Association – Advanced Locksmith Course is perfect for locksmiths looking to add more to their skillset and begin practising as a locksmith at a higher level.
Spray paint training for painters and decorators
Unlike other sectors, the painting and decorating market looks largely similar to what it did a decade ago. It's a highly skilled trade profession that requires careful training.
That said, there has been one particular change that has made a big difference. The rise of electric paint sprayers now means that decorators can apply paint over a large area.
The tool helps to finish painting projects faster and far more efficiently. It’s important to understand how to properly use the tool before offering the service.
Spraying courses show you how to use spraying technologies to expand your business. Here are some:
PaintTech Training Academy
The PaintTech Training Academy – Introduction to Spraying course is great for those new to spraying and those who spray already, it is airless training on walls and ceilings.
Dulux Academy
The Dulux Academy – Spray Introduction course helps to develop an understanding of the setting up of spray machines, including suitable tips and maintenance.
HiTec Spray
The Hi-Tec Spray - Airless Spray Painting Equipment course includes both practical and theory elements. Paint sprayers will improve both their competence and confidence in spray painting
Ready to take your business to the next level?
We can help you get there
Electric vehicle training for mechanics
Much like electricians, mechanics looking to use training to take on more business should focus on developing knowledge about EVs. The Institute of the Motor Industry predicts a shortfall of 35,700 EV technicians by 2026 if retraining isn't urgently sorted out.
With limited competition, mechanics would stand to make more money if they trained to work on EVs. Some useful courses on offer to mechanics are:
Institute of the Motor Industry
The IMI – Electric Vehicle eLearning Course package is divided into eight modules. Each focuses on different elements and learning levels of an electric vehicle.
Premier MOT
The Premier MOT – Hybrid and Electric Vehicles course is a two-day training programme designed to offer experienced technicians all aspects of hybrid and electric vehicle systems.
Training ranges from operations to diagnostics, including safe working practices when servicing and repairing.
Learn how to win more work
We can help you find more sales in your area
Chainsaw training
Even if you use them daily, there is still something to be gained from undertaking power tool training. Tree surgeon training can improve your skills with this equipment.
There are a number of general power tool courses on offer, but to get the best return on your investment you should look for a course that teaches you a new skill.
For example, learning the skills needed to use and successfully maintain a chainsaw can help you to take on more jobs. There are a number of chainsaw training courses available:
Makita
The Makita – Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting course will cover preventative maintenance that is carried out daily or at regular intervals by the operator.
Kingswood Training
The Kingswood Training - Chainsaw Maintenance & Felling Small Trees course allows successful candidates to fell trees commercially up to 380mm in diameter.
TKF Training
The TKF Training - Ground Based Chainsaw Operator course is for anyone who is required to operate chainsaws for cross cutting and felling small trees.
Basement conversion training for builders
Rising house prices mean more homeowners are staying put and extending their homes to create more space. Usually, homeowners convert upwards and outwards.
Older properties that feature a basement could provide an opportunity to become a builder or extend your existing skills.
If you’re interested in expanding your knowledge on digging down, we’ve found a few training courses that may help you:
Safeguard
The Safeguard – Basement Conversion Course is a practical hands-on training course. It explains how to convert an existing basement to BS 8102. The course looks at the types of waterproofing system available, their advantages and disadvantages and how to choose the most suitable for a given situation.
NHBC
The NHBC's below-ground structures and basements course provides comprehensive training. This includes best-practice and meeting the latest building guidelines, including BS 8102.
Learn how to win more work
We can help you find more sales in your area
Artificial grass installation training
Maintaining a lush-looking lawn that's green all year round can be a difficult task for homeowners. Especially if they have limited free time. Many people are turning to artificial grass as a solution to their lawn woes.
It’s not hard to understand why. Artificial turf can save countless hours and money.
Learning how to install artificial grass could appeal if you already run a gardening trade business. So, if you fancy getting your fingers not quite so green, here are a couple of artificial grass installation courses that may help you:
iGrass
The iGrass – learn to install like a professional course covers a lot of ground. Learn how to measure an area; how to plan and install; how to load, move and handle grass; what equipment to use; how to prepare a base; the fitting and seaming of grass; the cutting-in of the grass, including around challenging objects and, how to finish the installation with sand infill.
Artificial Grass Trade Suppliers
The Artificial Grass Trade Suppliers training day offers step-by-step training on the installation procedures, including top tips to get the best results.
Key takeaways
Learning new trade skills can help your business be more profitable
Upskilling can qualify you further in your current trade or add new skills to your business
Look for skills where demand for work is high, so it should be easier to find customers
Balance the cost of training with the potential extra revenue it could generate for you
Ready to take your business to the next level?
We can help you get there
