Registered apprenticeships, union programs, trade schools and community college, and the questions to ask before signing anything.
Skilled trades lead to steady, well-paid work, and some routes pay you while you train. A registered apprenticeship is a real job with a wage, on-the-job training and classes, ending in a recognized credential.
Trade schools can be a good start too, but quality varies. Ask hard questions before signing.
| Route | How it works | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Registered apprenticeship | A paid job with a mentor plus related classes, usually 1 to 5 years. Registered with the Department of Labor or a state agency. Ends with a nationally recognized credential. | Usually little or none. You earn a wage that rises as you progress. |
| Union apprenticeship | A registered apprenticeship run jointly by a union and employers, common in electrical, plumbing and pipefitting, carpentry and other building trades. | Usually little or none, often with benefits. |
| Trade or technical school | Classroom and shop training, from a few months to about 2 years. | Tuition. Accredited schools can accept federal aid such as Pell Grants. |
| Community college | Certificates and associate degrees in technical fields, sometimes linked to apprenticeships. | Usually lower tuition than private trade schools. |
Apprenticeships are competitive, and some applicants take a trade school course or a pre-apprenticeship program first to improve their chances. apprenticeship.gov has a finder for registered programs by trade and location.
The trades include far more than construction. A few examples:
The Occupational Outlook Handbook at bls.gov/ooh lists pay, training and job outlook for each one.
Many trades require a state license to work on your own, and the hours and exams differ by state. Check your state's licensing board before choosing a program.
Pressure to enroll the same day, placement rates the school will not explain, and financing arranged on the spot are all reasons to slow down.
An apprentice usually starts at a fraction of a fully trained worker's wage, with raises at set points as hours and classes are completed. The work can be physical and the hours early. Once trained, many tradespeople go on to supervise, teach, estimate jobs or run their own business.
The Launch Kit has a Trade school and apprenticeships page for comparing programs and a list of questions to ask.
Download the Launch Kit (PDF)Paper goes stale. Hubstone holds the same record and keeps it current, and you choose who sees each page.
General information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Requirements differ by state.