How to Highlight Practical Skills on Your CV for Trade and Workshop Jobs

Many people with solid workshop experience struggle to get interviews because their CV does not show their practical skills clearly. Employers looking for boilermakers, welders, fitters, or stores assistants want to see what you can actually do - not just job titles.

Here’s how to make your practical skills stand out.

1. Create a clear “Skills” section near the top

List your strongest trade skills in a simple bullet list. Examples:

- Arc, MIG and TIG welding - Reading and interpreting engineering drawings - Plate development and pipe fitting - Operating guillotines, power saws and grinders - Forklift and overhead crane operation (include licence codes if you have them)

Place this section high on the first page so the reader sees it immediately.

2. Describe what you actually did in each job

Instead of writing only “Boilermaker at XYZ Company”, add short, specific points:

- Fabricated and repaired steel structures according to technical drawings - Performed Arc and MIG welding on mild steel and stainless steel components - Assisted with stock receiving and verified delivery notes for accuracy - Followed lockout procedures and maintained a safe workshop environment

Use action words such as fabricated, welded, assembled, repaired, measured, cut, and inspected.

3. Mention tools, machines and materials

Employers like to know which equipment you are comfortable with. Include items such as:

- Plasma cutters and gas cutting equipment - Guillotines, bending machines and grinders - Different metals (mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, cast iron)

4. Include certificates and licences clearly

List them under a separate heading:

- Basic Boilermaking Certificate - Relevant N2/N3 subjects - Forklift licence / Crane licence (with codes and expiry if relevant) - Any safety or trade-related short courses

5. Keep the language simple and honest

Do not exaggerate. If you are semi-skilled, say so. Employers prefer accurate information over inflated claims that fall apart in a practical test or interview.

6. Quick checklist before you send your CV

- Skills section is easy to find - Work experience shows actual tasks, not only job titles - Certificates and licences are listed - Contact details are correct - Document is saved as a PDF with a clear file name

A well-written practical CV helps the employer quickly see that you have the hands-on ability they need. Take the extra time to spell out your skills clearly - it can make the difference between being overlooked and being called for an interview.