Some trades share many of the same skills and knowledge and its possible to move between them without having to go through a second apprenticeship – you can just learn what you need to pass the certification exam. In this example, after being certified as a journeyperson, a welder changes to the related trade of boilermaker. After gaining considerable work experience, she applies to become a trainer and teaches boilermaking courses while continuing her career as a boilermaker.

Next: Sample engineering career paths