Trade is an industry with plenty of opportunities one can choose from. Given this, it’s no surprise that some tradespersons want to master every skill or specialise in one.With the abundance of readily available resources, narrowing down a profession is not a challenge. As a result, both individuals and businesses can choose what might work best for them after doing their research.
So, which one is better to be in the world of trade? A “master of one trade” or “jack of all trades?”
The answer, however, depends. The benefits and drawbacks of both multi-skilled and specialised tradespeople are thoroughly discussed in this blog. This can be viewed as a guide for corporations and tradespeople prior to making a decision.
What does a multi-skilled Tradesperson (Jack of All Trades) do?
The phrase “jack of all trades” has acquired a negative connotation over time and has even come to be considered somewhat of an insult.
Entrepreneurs and industry professionals have, however, consistently shown that having a diverse skill set has its own benefits. For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, professionals in this field could find any number of tasks to do rather than be jobless.
Due to the evaluation, multi-skilled professionals are now referred to as “generalists,” while those who are “masters of one’ are called specialists.
So, what specifically do multi-skilled tradespeople bring to the table? Here are the advantages a corporation can benefit from hiring a jack of all trades:
Benefits of hiring multi-skilled Tradespeople for corporates
A broad range of abilities
They know almost everything! These are individuals who have mastered their own strengths and weaknesses to give the best result.
For instance, a multi-skilled tradesperson would be able to execute a task flawlessly in the event of an emergency. As a practical illustration, a multiskilled tradesman or woman will be capable of rewiring the cable lines and repairing the office ceiling.
Therefore, you will not have to call a skilled carpenter every time there is a problem with the ceiling.
Cut back on wasteful spending
As mentioned above, hiring a multi-skilled person involves different skill sets. Thus, there is no need to hire different specialists for each task that has to be carried out in the office. Thereby, saving money and cutting down unnecessary expenditures.
Due to the fact that startups typically operate on a limited budget in their early stages, hiring someone with this calibre would be ideal.
Adaptable and versatile
As mentioned above, these are self-sufficient individuals willing to learn new things every day. With versatility and proficiency in several key skills, multi-skilled tradesmen are flexible and adaptable to any given situation.
For example, during an unexpected emergency, a multiskilled tradesperson can showcase a strong personality of patience and determination to solve the problem at hand.
Swift learners
Imagine a multi-skilled person as a sponge; they can absorb anything!
If there is a skill that a company would require their only tradesperson to excel in, then it is possible. Multi-skilled individuals are talented to learn any new information at any given moment.
Therefore, companies can conduct training and other learning opportunities at varying levels of complexity and frequency. This, in the long run, would be very beneficial for companies.
Industry leaders
After all, who better to fit into a leadership role than a person who has, with time, gained expertise in everything they do?
Here are advantages for yourself if you are considering being a multi-skilled tradesperson.
Benefits of Being a multi-skilled Tradesperson
- It can make you employable at any place you wish, as you are an individual who can wear many hats. With modern technological trends and developments, there is an increasing demand for multi-skilled workers. Moreover, you can even freelance and have more than one source of income.
- You will become a valuable and irreplaceable asset to your employer. Your position within the company expands as your skills do. So, if you are looking to climb the corporate ladder within your industry, becoming a multi-skilled worker is imperative.
- with experience, you can efficiently and effectively complete tasks to a higher standard in less time in comparison to an individual who possesses just one skill. This flexibility and expertise will go a long way in your professional career.
- You will have the complete freedom to do what you desire, with whom to be employed, how much to charge for your services, etc. After all, this journey of yours will be fun as you will never get bored of doing the same repetitive task every day.
Drawbacks of being a multi-skilled tradesperson or hiring one
Some might counter that if one tries to be the best at everything, they run the risk of burning out and slowing down business expansion. Having the ability to wear several hats can have its benefits, but it comes with a risk.
As with everything, there are drawbacks to everything we decide to do. Below is a list of some potential disadvantages.
- Multi-skilled people tend to be independent and thrive on fixing problems themselves. But when they try to do everything, it increases the likelihood of mistakes.For instance, unless you have years of practical experience, mistakes can happen no matter how many YouTube tutorials and online courses you read.
- The overall expenditure for the company could increase by hiring a less experienced multi-skilled person. These costs would be spent on training, fixing errors, finding a freelancer if they do not have the skills required during an emergency, etc.
What does a specialist tradesperson have to offer?
Sometimes, a jack of all trades can lead to a master of none if an individual does not use the skills properly. Whereas, a specialist tradesman is someone who has mastered a single field and only seeks employment in that field.
In a transformational economy, companies are required to remain competitive. Therefore, with this nature, a specialist would be considered a greater asset for long-term sustainability.
As mentioned above, with education so easily accessible, specialising in one task has become more common these days. Here are some of the reasons why people choose to specialise in their field or wish to hire specialists.
Benefits to corporates when hiring specialists
Niche expertise
Zero company expenditure
Reliable assets
Productivity
Benefits of being a specialist Tradesperson
Increased demand
Job satisfaction
Job security
High salary
Wrapping up
So were you able to choose who a better tradesman is? A generalist or a specialist? As discussed above, both have the highest calibre of advantages and disadvantages.
Overall, every profession has its challenges, and without them, the journey could get quite boring. However, the answer to “who is better’ would also depend on the domestic market you are present in.
For instance, if the pace of change within the market is slow, a generalist can challenge the industry’s stagnation and bring in new ideas. Whereas, if the pace of change is rapid, specialists can build on progress in their field and seize opportunities.
The rest, we leave it here for you to figure out.
