But what about the skills that don’t always get the spotlight?
These are the transferable skills that help you work with others, solve problems, and adapt to new challenges.
This blog explores how you can harness these often-overlooked abilities to grow your trade career, expand into other industries, or step into leadership roles. Plus, we’ll examine how Skills Certified can help you formalise your experience through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
Key takeaways:
- Understand how transferable skills can boost your career in the trades or other industries.
- Learn how to identify and develop the most valuable transferable skills.
- Explore how RPL can recognise your existing skills and provide formal qualifications.
What are transferable skills?
Transferable skills are abilities you develop over time that are applicable in a variety of roles and industries. While technical expertise is often specific to your trade, transferable skills—like communication, leadership, and problem-solving—can be used in multiple sectors, making you more adaptable in today’s evolving job market.
These skills are invaluable because they complement your technical abilities, enabling you to effectively manage projects, lead teams, and communicate with clients. They also make it easier to switch career paths or move into different industries should you ever decide to take your career in a new direction.
Why transferable skills are vital for tradespeople
As tradespeople, your day-to-day work involves much more than just physical labour or technical know-how. You’re often juggling multiple tasks, managing your time, and working with diverse teams or clients. This is where your transferable skills come into play. Here’s why they’re so crucial:
- Communication: Effective communication ensures smoother operations and fewer misunderstandings, whether discussing project details with clients or working through logistics with your team.
- Problem-solving: Trade jobs often present unexpected challenges. Your ability to think on your feet and resolve issues quickly is invaluable.
- Leadership: Even if you’re not in a formal leadership position, being able to guide a team or take charge in certain situations reflects your leadership abilities.
- Time management: Completing projects on time and managing resources efficiently is a skill that applies across all industries.
These skills aren’t just valuable in your current role—they can set you apart when seeking promotions, leadership positions, or even opportunities in other sectors.
How transferable skills can expand your career options
Once you’ve honed these skills, the doors start to open. Here are some ways transferable skills can help you advance your career:
- Leadership roles: If you aim to step into a foreman, site supervisor, or project manager position, your ability to lead a team, communicate effectively, and solve problems will be critical. For example, you can consider this certification: Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management – BSB60420 (Offered by Asset College (RTO: 31718) and Skills Recognition International (RTO: 32373)).
- Cross-industry opportunities: Transferable skills are useful not just within the trades but across industries. These abilities will be essential if you’re looking to move into another field, such as project management, customer service, or even consulting. For example, you can consider this certification: Certificate IV in Project Management Practice – BSB40920 (Offered by Asset College (RTO: 31718) and Skills Recognition International (RTO: 32373)).
- Entrepreneurship: Starting your own business requires more than just technical expertise—it requires managing people, time, and resources efficiently. For example, you can consider this certification: Certificate III in Entrepreneurship and New Business – BSB30220 (Offered by Skills Recognition International (RTO: 32373)).
Recognising transferable skills through RPL
Skills Certified helps you take the next step by offering formal recognition of these valuable abilities. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process allows you to use your existing skills, knowledge, and experience to gain nationally-recognised qualifications without repeating formal training.
If you’ve developed leadership, communication, or management skills on the job, RPL can help you turn that experience into formal qualifications, giving you a competitive edge in your career.
How to identify and develop your transferable skills
Here’s how you can identify and strengthen your transferable skills:
- Self-assessment: Reflect on your daily tasks. Which non-technical skills do you use regularly? Whether it’s teamwork, problem-solving, or decision-making, you likely possess more transferable skills than you realise.
- Seek feedback: Ask colleagues or supervisors for feedback on your soft skills. This can provide valuable insights into areas where you excel and areas where you might improve.
Continuous improvement: Look for opportunities to build on these skills. Whether through leadership opportunities on the job or workshops focused on time management or communication, improving these abilities will make you more versatile.
