A job can turn into a real career path with room to grow, if you know what to look for. Whether you’re just starting out after high school, switching careers, or already working in the trades and wondering what’s next, understanding how growth actually works in the construction industry can help you make a more informed decision about your future.
Here’s what building a career in the trades can look like, from your first day on the job to a future leadership role.
Multiple Pathways, Not One Track
One of the biggest misconceptions about trade careers is that there’s a single path you must follow. In reality, there are several directions to grow, depending on your interests and strengths. Schwickert’s, for example, hires across a wide range of trades:
• Roofing
• HVAC-R
• Architectural sheet metal
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Plumbing
• Duct cleaning services
There are also career paths in the office for people who want to stay close to construction without working in the field, including accounting, administration, project management, service management, sales, business development, human resources, and marketing.
No single path is the “right” one. What matters is finding the direction that fits how you like to work.
Training That Actually Builds a Career
Growth in the trades depends heavily on training, and the best companies treat that as an ongoing investment, not a one-time onboarding checklist. Schwickert’s runs a state-certified apprenticeship program held over three weeks every January, combining classroom instruction with on-the-job experience across three training levels. It’s built for employees ranging from entry level to foremen-in-training, giving apprentices a structured way to progress into journeymen and eventually into leadership roles.
A company that invests in training early is usually the same company that promotes from within later. Those two things tend to go together.
Internal Promotion Is the Norm, Not the Exception
In some industries, moving up requires moving around to other companies. The trades work differently at Schwickert’s. Because skilled labor is in high demand and experienced workers are hard to replace, companies that value their people tend to promote from within rather than hire leadership from outside.
Schwickert’s states this directly as a company commitment: growth opportunities for every employee, competitive pay within the industry, and active encouragement of internal promotions across the company. That means the apprentice who joins today could be a journeyman in a few years, and a foreman or department lead after that.
Nate Klossner is a real example of what that path can look like. He started entry-level at Schwickert’s in the Roofing Service department, where he spent 14 years, including running major roofing production jobs across the country. He moved into the role of Architectural Sheet Metal Superintendent in 2014, and became Senior Superintendent in 2025, now overseeing all Roofing and Architectural Sheet Metal projects for the company.
“It’s not just training that builds your career, it’s what you decide to dedicate yourself to and do with that training,” Klossner says.
It’s worth asking about directly when you’re evaluating where to work: how often do people get promoted, and what does that path typically look like at that company?
Culture Matters More Than People Expect
Trade work is physical, and it’s often team-based in a way that office jobs aren’t. That makes culture a bigger factor in day-to-day satisfaction than people sometimes realize going in. Schwickert’s describes its culture around four core values:
• Our People – valuing employees, promoting personal integrity, and prioritizing well-being in a family-friendly workplace
• Our Customers – building loyalty through partnerships, education, and 24/7 support
• Excellence – a commitment to safety and quality, backed by cross-department teamwork
• Communities – active participation in local events and charitable causes
A strong culture doesn’t mean an easy job. It means a workplace where hard work is respected and people are set up to succeed.
What to Expect Along the Way
Growth in the trades isn’t always linear. A few things worth expecting as you build a career:
• The first year or two is often the steepest learning curve, especially during an apprenticeship
• Pay tends to increase with certifications, experience, and expanded skill sets, not just time on the job
• Physical demands are real, but so is the support that comes with steady, skilled work. That support typically includes Benefits like:
1. Comprehensive health, vision, and dental coverage
2. An Employee Assistance Program
3. Life and accident insurance
4. A 401(k) with company match
5. Paid time off and holidays
6. Tuition Reimbursement
• Opportunities to specialize or move into leadership often open up once you’ve built a solid foundation in your trade
It’s a career that rewards consistency. Showing up, working hard, building skills, and staying curious about the next thing to learn tends to pay off over time.
Finding Your Path
There’s no single formula for building a career in the trades, but there is a common thread: people who grow the most tend to work somewhere that gives them room to do it. That means real training, real opportunities to move up, and a culture that backs its people.
If you’re exploring what a career in the trades could look like for you, Schwickert’s careers page is a good place to start. You can also get a closer look at how careers grow here, including the apprenticeship program, or see the full list of benefits and what the company values day to day.
Ready to see where a trade career could take you? Explore open positions today.