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Tradesman skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted Experts

Jim Olson,

Kate Cinnamo

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical tradesman skills. We ranked the top skills for tradesmen based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 14.0% of tradesman resumes contained hvac as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a tradesman needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 tradesman skills for your resume and career

1. HVAC

Here's how tradesmen use hvac:

Performed all aspects of diagnostics, maintenance, repair and replacement for HVAC and related systems.
Assisted with the installation of Low Pressure Boiler Units and HVAC Units.

2. Plumbing

Here's how tradesmen use plumbing:

Identified tools and procedures needed for different plumbing activities and installations.
Performed all plumbing repairs and installations for residential customers.

3. Hand Tools

Here's how tradesmen use hand tools:

Gained knowledge and expertise with a wide variety of hand tools, power tools, and other construction equipment.
Operate motorized equipment including power tools, aerial lift and use of hand tools.

4. Mechanical Equipment

Mechanical equipment is a term referring to the machinery which have been created and gathered for the purpose of fulfilling one or more functions and consisting of, most often, multiple components.

Here's how tradesmen use mechanical equipment:

Perform maintenance on all mechanical equipment.
Examined machines and mechanical equipment to diagnose source of trouble.

5. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how tradesmen use troubleshoot:

Assist Journeymen Preventative Maintenance Troubleshoot and repair Residential/Commercial
Utilized vibration and temperature analysis and specialized tools to monitor, troubleshoot and repair pump deficiencies.

6. Roofing

Here's how tradesmen use roofing:

Perform general construction repairs including: Paint, trim carpentry, cabinet installation, siding, roofing, drywall, etc.
Replace bricks in brick walkways, remove mold from decks, and replaced damaged fascia boards and roofing repairs.

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7. Perform Routine Maintenance

Here's how tradesmen use perform routine maintenance:

Clean and perform routine maintenance as required for refrigerationequipment.

8. Ventilation

Here's how tradesmen use ventilation:

Worked on various ventilation systems, installing access doors for servicing, also clean and maintain coils for heating units.
Worked off blueprint kits fabricating lockers, deck grating, ventilation duce, filter housing, etc.

9. Preventative Maintenance

Here's how tradesmen use preventative maintenance:

Decreased maintenance issues by improving the quality of preventative maintenance.
Inspect suspension components and preform any preventative maintenance that is necessary to ensure Trailers are safe and reliable.

10. Routine Maintenance

Here's how tradesmen use routine maintenance:

Carry out routine maintenance requirements associated with piping systems.
Patched painted, and finished hard surfaces, and changed air conditioning filters as routine maintenance.

11. Scaffolding

Here's how tradesmen use scaffolding:

Slate and Tile Copper flashing and metal work Historic Preservation Repairs and Roof maintenance scaffolding set up and take down historic preservation
Assisted craft workers in erecting scaffolding, and setting support braces.

12. OSHA

Here's how tradesmen use osha:

Participated on OSHA back-up team to follow up and maintain safety issues
Adhere to OSHA regulations and practice a ZERO accident philosophy.

13. Ladders

Here's how tradesmen use ladders:

Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment.
Work from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs to install, maintain or repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.

14. Shovels

Here's how tradesmen use shovels:

Mixed and poured concrete and asphalt; Leveled concrete and earth using trowels and shovels.
Level concrete and earth using trowels and shovels.

15. Caulking

Here's how tradesmen use caulking:

Installed acoustic panels, finish caulking.
Sheet rock repair , painting , caulking , toilet / sink repairs , installation of light / ceiling fans .

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What skills help Tradesmen find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What Tradesman skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Jim Olson

Assistant Executive Director, National Tile Contractors Association

Skills in the tile installation industry come from working and learning from qualified installers. Try to get a job or apprenticeship with Tile Installation company, it will be hard work but great experience.

What type of skills will young Tradesmans need?

Kate Cinnamo

Executive Director, Explore The Trades

For those looking to start their careers in the plumbing, heating and cooling (HVAC) or electrical industries, technical aptitude is just as important as the ability to work with customers. As the demand for skilled tradespeople continues to grow, many tradespeople will note that it's important to hire for character, train for skill. Meaning, technical training can be done with anyone and, if you have the right personality for working with clients and homeowners, you'll be a great fit for the trades.

Regarding education, a high school diploma or GED is required to begin an apprenticeship or training. With the three trades, courses in math (like algebra and geometry), science (specifically physics and chemistry) and drafting are important in providing a solid foundation for the knowledge you'll need as a tradesperson.

And, while it may seem out of place, courses in technology and communication are great for the industry, too! In all three trades, technology is changing all the time. Just think of all the ways to make a home "smart" these days! As noted above, communication is key to developing great soft skills and positive rapport with clients and/or homeowners.

Do you want to know more?

List of tradesman skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a tradesman resume and required skills for a tradesman to have include:

HVAC
Plumbing
Hand Tools
Mechanical Equipment
Troubleshoot
Roofing
Perform Routine Maintenance
Ventilation
Preventative Maintenance
Routine Maintenance
Scaffolding
OSHA
Ladders
Shovels

Caulking
Construction Projects
Tampers
General Maintenance
Drywall Installation
Building Maintenance
Light Fixtures
Windows
Electrical Systems
Control Systems
CNC
Coats
Safety Codes
Dishwashers

Brazing
Remodel
Door Hardware
Hazardous Materials
Commercial Buildings
Electrical Equipment
NEC
MIG
Angle Grinders
Demo
Journeymen
Pipe Systems
Construction Sites

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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