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This article is about the skilled manual worker meaning of the term; for other uses see Tradesperson (disambiguation).

Carpenter at work in Tennessee, June 1942.

A tradesman is a skilled manual worker in a particular trade or craft. Economically and socially, a tradesman's status is considered between a laborer and a professional, with a high degree of both practical and theoretical knowledge of their trade. In cultures where professional careers are highly prized there can be a shortage of skilled manual workers, leading to lucrative niche markets in the trades.

The training of a trade in European cultures has been a formal tradition for many centuries. A tradesman typically begins as an apprentice, working for and learning from a Master, and after a number of years is released from his master's service as a Journeyman. After a Journeyman has proven himself to his trade's guild (most guilds are now known by different names), he may settle down as a Master and work for himself, eventually taking on his own apprentices.

Since the 20th Century, this process has been changed in many ways. A tradesman still begins as an apprentice, but the apprenticeship is carried out partly through working for a tradesman and partly through an accredited trade school for a definite period of time (usually around 4 years), after which he/she is fully qualified. Starting one's own business is purely a financial matter, rather than being dependent on status. Few trades still make a distinction between a qualified tradesman and a master.

While in some countries a recognised qualification is mandatory for an individual to register as a tradesmen or builder, in others it is not the case. In the absence of a regulator in these markets a number of private companies have been set up to screen contractors and ensure that they are suitable for the their advertised services.

A Jack of all trades is a colloquial term for someone who holds some degree of skill/qualification in more than one trade, but has not made a continuous career of any one. In many cases, a trade has been largely eliminated by social or technological change, and skilled workers have found employment in similar trades (e.g. typesetters have become mostly obsolete due to electronic printing).

[edit] Types of tradesmen/Tradeswork

• Artisan
• Baker
• Barber or Hairstylist
• Boilermaker
• Blacksmith
• Brewer
• Bricklayer
• Butcher
• Cabinet maker
• Cable Joiner
• Carpenter
• Carpet layer
• Cement Mason
• Cheesemaker
• Chef
• Chimney sweep
• Cobbler
• Clockmaker
• Construction worker
• Cooper (profession)
• Electrician
• Gaffer
• Glazier
• Haberdasher
• Handyman
• Heavy equipment operator
• HVAC & Refrigeration mechanic
• Ironworker
• Instrument Mechanic
• Jeweller
• Journeyman
• Knife sharpener
• Labourer
• Lineworker
• Locksmith
• Longshoreman
• Machinist
• Mechanic
• Milkman
• Miller
• Millwright
• Painter and decorator
• Pastry chef
• Piano tuner
• Plasterer
• Plumber
• Printer
• Roofer
• Sawfiler
• Solderer
• Steeplejack
• Steelworker
• Stonemason
• Tailor
• Theatrical technician
• Tinsmith
• Tool and Die Maker
• Traditional trades
• Watchmaker
• Welder
• Window cleaner
• Wood cutter

See also [link]

• Vocational education
• General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York
• Livery Company
• Trade union

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