Summary

Are your practical skills worth more than you are currently earning? Many skilled workers across Africa have years of experience in construction, maintenance and technical work but are unsure whether their skills can create better opportunities abroad.

The good news is that skilled trades remain some of the most valuable careers in places like the UK and the Channel Islands, including Guernsey. Employers continue to look for reliable workers who can build, repair, maintain and improve homes, businesses and public spaces.

In this guide, we look at the highest paid trade jobs, what workers actually do every day, expected hourly earnings, weekly and monthly income, and an estimated take-home salary after a 20% deduction.

Whether you are an electrician, plumber, carpenter, welder, painter or landscaper, this article will help you understand the value of your skills.

Are Your Trade Skills Valuable Abroad?

Many people underestimate the value of practical skills.

A person who can install electrical systems, repair plumbing problems, build structures or maintain properties provides something every community needs.

Unlike some careers that require years of university education, many trade careers are built through:

  • Hands-on experience

  • Apprenticeships

  • Technical training

  • Professional certificates

  • Years of improving your craft

For many African workers, the biggest challenge is not having skills. It is understanding where those skills are needed and how much they can earn.

Employers abroad are not only looking for qualifications. They are looking for people who are:

  • Reliable

  • Hardworking

  • Safety-conscious

  • Experienced

  • Able to complete quality work

Let's look at the trades ranked from lower-paid to highest-paid.

10. Painter and Decorator

Average Pay:

£16 per hour

Weekly income (40 hours): £640

Monthly income: Approximately £2,770

Estimated take-home after 20% deduction: Approximately £2,216 per month

What Does a Painter and Decorator Do?

Painting is one of the most visible trades because the final result transforms a property.

A typical day may involve:

  • Preparing walls and surfaces

  • Removing old paint

  • Filling cracks and holes

  • Applying paint and finishes

  • Wallpaper installation

  • Protecting furniture and floors

  • Mixing colours

  • Cleaning work areas

Professional painters are different from someone simply applying paint. They understand preparation, materials and finishing techniques.

Why This Trade Is Valuable

Hotels, offices, landlords and homeowners regularly need painters to maintain and improve properties.

Experienced decorators who deliver clean, professional results can build strong reputations and earn more.

9. Landscaper and Grounds Worker

Average Pay:

£17 per hour

Weekly income: £680

Monthly income: Approximately £2,947

Estimated take-home after 20% deduction: Approximately £2,358 per month

What Does a Landscaper Do?

Landscaping is much more than cutting grass.

Daily tasks include:

  • Maintaining gardens

  • Planting trees and flowers

  • Building paths and patios

  • Installing fencing

  • Cutting hedges

  • Using gardening machinery

  • Creating outdoor designs

  • Maintaining commercial properties

In places like Guernsey, where many homes and businesses value attractive outdoor spaces, experienced gardeners and landscapers can find consistent work.

Who Is This Career Suitable For?

Landscaping is ideal for people who enjoy:

  • Outdoor work

  • Physical activity

  • Working with nature

  • Seeing immediate results from their effort

8. Bricklayer

Average Pay:

£19 per hour

Weekly income: £760

Monthly income: Approximately £3,293

Estimated take-home after 20% deduction: Approximately £2,634 per month

What Does a Bricklayer Do?

Bricklayers create the foundations and structures of buildings.

Their daily responsibilities include:

  • Building walls

  • Laying bricks and blocks

  • Reading construction drawings

  • Mixing mortar

  • Repairing damaged brickwork

  • Checking measurements

  • Working with builders and contractors

Bricklaying requires accuracy because mistakes can affect the entire structure.

Why Bricklayers Are Needed

Construction projects depend on skilled bricklayers. Good workers who can maintain quality and speed are highly valued.

7. Carpenter and Joiner

Average Pay:

£20 per hour

Weekly income: £800

Monthly income: Approximately £3,467

Estimated take-home after 20% deduction: Approximately £2,774 per month

What Does a Carpenter Do?

Carpenters work with wood to create and repair structures.

A normal working day may include:

  • Measuring materials

  • Cutting timber

  • Installing doors

  • Building frames

  • Fitting kitchens

  • Creating furniture

  • Installing flooring

  • Reading plans

Joiners often focus on detailed woodworking, while carpenters may work more on construction projects.

Why Carpentry Pays Well

Quality woodwork requires skill, patience and precision. Experienced carpenters can become specialists and increase their earning potential.

6. Plasterer

Average Pay:

£21 per hour

Weekly income: £840

Monthly income: Approximately £3,640

Estimated take-home after 20% deduction: Approximately £2,912 per month

What Does a Plasterer Do?

Plasterers create smooth, finished surfaces inside buildings.

Their duties include:

  • Preparing walls

  • Applying plaster

  • Repairing damaged surfaces

  • Creating decorative finishes

  • Working on renovations

  • Preparing surfaces for painting

A skilled plasterer can make a major difference to the quality and appearance of a property.

5. Welder and Fabricator

Average Pay:

£22 per hour

Weekly income: £880

Monthly income: Approximately £3,813

Estimated take-home after 20% deduction: Approximately £3,050 per month

What Does a Welder Do?

Welders join metal parts together using specialised equipment.

Daily activities include:

  • Reading technical drawings

  • Cutting metal

  • Welding components

  • Repairing metal structures

  • Checking finished work

  • Following safety procedures

Why Welding Is Highly Valued

Welding requires technical ability, accuracy and safety awareness.

Industries such as construction, engineering and manufacturing depend on skilled welders.

Workers with experience in specialist welding techniques can often earn even more.

4. Roofer

Average Pay:

£23 per hour

Weekly income: £920

Monthly income: Approximately £3,987

Estimated take-home after 20% deduction: Approximately £3,190 per month

What Does a Roofer Do?

Roofers protect buildings from weather damage.

Their work includes:

  • Installing roofing materials

  • Repairing leaks

  • Replacing damaged sections

  • Installing insulation

  • Checking roof conditions

  • Working safely at height

Roofing requires physical strength, attention to detail and excellent safety practices.

3. Plumber

Average Pay:

£24 per hour

Weekly income: £960

Monthly income: Approximately £4,160

Estimated take-home after 20% deduction: Approximately £3,328 per month

What Does a Plumber Do?

Plumbers maintain one of the most important systems in any property.

Daily tasks include:

  • Installing pipes

  • Repairing leaks

  • Installing bathrooms

  • Fixing water systems

  • Maintaining heating systems

  • Diagnosing problems

Why Plumbing Pays So Well

Every home and business needs reliable plumbing. Skilled plumbers are always needed, especially those who can work independently and solve problems quickly.

2. Heating Engineer / Specialist Technician

Average Pay:

£25 per hour

Weekly income: £1,000

Monthly income: Approximately £4,333

Estimated take-home after 20% deduction: Approximately £3,466 per month

What Does a Heating Engineer Do?

Heating specialists install and maintain heating systems.

Their work includes:

  • Installing heating equipment

  • Repairing boilers

  • Testing systems

  • Maintaining energy systems

  • Diagnosing faults

Specialist technical skills often command higher wages because fewer people have the required knowledge.

1. Electrician

Average Pay:

£26 per hour

Weekly income: £1,040

Monthly income: Approximately £4,507

Estimated take-home after 20% deduction: Approximately £3,606 per month

What Does an Electrician Do?

Electricians are responsible for installing and maintaining electrical systems.

A typical day includes:

  • Installing wiring

  • Testing electrical systems

  • Repairing faults

  • Installing lighting

  • Reading electrical drawings

  • Maintaining equipment

  • Following safety regulations

Why Electricians Earn the Most

Electricians carry significant responsibility. Electrical mistakes can be dangerous, so employers pay a premium for workers who are properly trained and reliable.

As technology develops, electricians are also becoming increasingly important in areas such as smart homes, renewable energy and electric vehicle systems.

Trade Salary Comparison

Trade Hourly Rate Weekly Pay Monthly Pay After 20% Deduction
Painter £16 £640 £2,770 £2,216
Landscaper £17 £680 £2,947 £2,358
Bricklayer £19 £760 £3,293 £2,634
Carpenter £20 £800 £3,467 £2,774
Plasterer £21 £840 £3,640 £2,912
Welder £22 £880 £3,813 £3,050
Roofer £23 £920 £3,987 £3,190
Plumber £24 £960 £4,160 £3,328
Heating Engineer £25 £1,000 £4,333 £3,466
Electrician £26 £1,040 £4,507 £3,606

Figures are estimates based on a 40-hour working week. Actual earnings depend on experience, employer, overtime, qualifications and location.

How African Skilled Workers Can Prepare for These Opportunities

If you already work in a trade, start preparing before applying abroad.

Important steps include:

  • Create a professional CV

  • Collect references from previous employers

  • Take photos of completed projects

  • Organise certificates and training records

  • Improve your English communication skills

  • Research work permit requirements

Your experience is your biggest asset. Make sure employers can clearly see your abilities.

Final Summary

Skilled trades can provide excellent opportunities for workers who are willing to improve their skills and explore international opportunities.

Electricians, plumbers, heating engineers, welders, carpenters and other tradespeople are needed because they provide essential services every community depends on.

Your trade is more than just a job. It is a valuable skill that can create opportunities for a better income and a more secure future.

The next step is simple: understand your market value, prepare your documents, create a strong CV and start looking for opportunities where your skills are appreciated.