Explore Trades
60 skilled trade career paths. Real BLS wages, real apprenticeships, real next steps — for students, veterans, second-chance workers, and anyone exploring a hands-on career.
Find your trade
No need to know the official title. Type what you'd say on the job — cable tech, framer, alarm installer — and we'll take you straight to wages, certifications, and open jobs.
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Hear from people working the trades
Our Skilled Trades Career Spotlight series — short interviews with real workers across the trade families. Wondering what a day actually looks like? Start here.
Explore Skilled Trades
Not sure which trade is right for you? Learn about different career paths, certifications, pay ranges, and which trades are most second-chance friendly.
Construction & Structural
Build the buildings — and everything that goes in them.
Explore this tradeElectrical
From the wiring in your house to the controls running a 200-acre data center — electrical work is everywhere, and the trade pays well at every level.
Explore this tradeHVAC & Refrigeration
Heating, cooling, refrigeration — the systems that keep buildings comfortable, food safe, and processes running.
Explore this tradePlumbing & Pipe
The trades that move water, gas, steam, and chemicals through homes, factories, hospitals, and power plants. Every building you walk into runs on this work.
Explore this tradeIndustrial & Manufacturing
The trades that build, install, and maintain the equipment that makes everything else.
Explore this tradeAutomotive & Diesel
Keep America moving. From corner garages to fleet maintenance shops to body-and-paint specialists, automotive trades are reliably hiring with clear cert-based…
Explore this tradeHeavy Equipment & Infrastructure
Operate the machines that move earth, lift steel, and string the wires that power the country.
Explore this tradeFacilities & Property Maintenance
Keep buildings running. Facilities and property maintenance trades cover the full stack of building systems — plumbing, electrical, HVAC, locks, appliances —…
Explore this tradeLandscaping & Grounds
Build and maintain the outdoor spaces that make properties valuable.
Explore this tradeEnergy & Utilities
Power the country. Energy and utilities trades sit at the intersection of construction, electrical, and industrial work — running the power plants, wind farms…
Explore this tradeEntry-Level & Support
The starting line. Entry-level and support roles are the fastest way into skilled trades — most workers come up through laborer or helper roles before specializing into a craft.
Explore this tradeTransportation
Move people, freight, and material across the four-state region.
Explore this tradeConstruction Management & Field Leadership
Where the trades lead. Superintendents, estimators, and project and site engineers run the jobsite and price the work — and most of them came up through a craft.
Explore this tradePay ranges reflect Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, national data, May 2025 release. Individual earnings vary by employer, location, certifications, experience, and union status — see each trade's page for state-level wages.
Get Hands-On Practice
Employers want to see the work, not read about it. These are supervised places where you can get your hands on real tools, build something, and come away with a photo, a video and a record you can put on your profile.
Habitat for Humanity DC NOVA
Northern Virginia and D.C. build sites
Supervised construction and home repair. Measuring, basic carpentry, painting, demolition, assembly, site organisation and safe tool use.
- Free to volunteer, but you must register and book ahead
- The best first step if you want a real jobsite
- Ask for a service-hours record
- With permission, photograph your work for your profile
Nova Labs
3850 Jermantown Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Woodworking, metalworking, machining, fabrication, electronics, laser cutting and 3D printing. Most machines need a safety class first.
- The strongest option for producing a work sample you can film
- Non-members can take many classes; independent tool use needs membership
- Confirm the class price before you register
- Keep the equipment sign-off and name the machines you ran
NOVA Automotive and Pre-Apprenticeship
Northern Virginia Community College campuses
Structured automotive labs, plus pre-apprenticeship pathways that may include HVAC, welding and collision repair.
- Ask about financial aid, FastForward and employer sponsorship before paying
- Tuition and fees vary by programme and residency
- Instructor-verified projects count as profile evidence
- Training hours go straight onto your profile
Fairfax County Adult & Community Education
Fairfax County training locations
Automotive and autobody, electrical, plumbing, HVAC-R and apprenticeship-related instruction. Availability changes each term.
- Evening and scheduled classes, close to home if you are in Fairfax
- Course fees appear in the current catalog
- Materials, books, tools or testing may cost extra
- Upload the certificate and describe what you actually did
SOME Center for Employment Training
Washington, D.C.
Hands-on workforce training in the building trades, with employment preparation and support services.
- Tuition-free for accepted participants
- Confirm eligibility, cohort dates and the time commitment before applying
- Ask about transport support at the same time
- Shop projects and instructor feedback are strong profile evidence
Community Services Agency — Building Futures
Washington metropolitan area
Multi-Craft Core Curriculum training: hands-on construction skills, industry orientation, safety, and preparation for union apprenticeship.
- Generally grant or workforce funded for accepted participants
- Confirm current eligibility and whether there are any participant costs
- MC3 completion is recognised across union apprenticeships
- Add safety credentials and apprenticeship referrals to your profile
Melwood Building Paths
Washington metropolitan region — confirm the current site
An eight-week construction and skilled-trades programme for people with disabilities, preparing you for building and construction work.
- Only for participants who meet the disability-related eligibility requirements
- Apply before you make any transport plans
- Cost is not published — ask whether training is free to accepted participants
- Ask about transport and other supports at the same time
Full Circle Auto Training
2507 50th Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781
Automotive technician training combining classroom, hands-on shop work and virtual-reality practice across maintenance, brakes, electrical, tyres and wheels.
- No tuition for accepted trainees, and paid training has been offered
- Entry is by interest and eligibility review, not walk-in
- Confirm wages, cohort dates and transport before you commit
- ASE preparation and supervisor feedback go on your profile
Baltimore DC Metro Building Trades
Camp Springs and partner sites across Maryland
Pre-apprenticeship and Multi-Craft Core Curriculum preparation for union construction careers: trade exploration, safety and apprenticeship readiness.
- Many workforce-supported cohorts run without tuition — confirm before enrolling
- Cost depends on the sponsoring partner and the cohort
- Add MC3 completion, OSHA credentials and trade exposure
- Apprenticeship applications count as evidence too
College of Southern Maryland
Southern Maryland campuses
Hands-on construction training built to give you core trade skills and industry readiness before apprenticeship or employment.
- Ask about scholarships, workforce funding and Maryland training assistance
- Course cost varies by module
- Completed modules and instructor-verified competencies go on your profile
- Register before the cohort fills
Community College Workforce Alliance
Richmond and Central Virginia
Skilled-trades pathways that may include electrical, plumbing, carpentry, heavy equipment and job-readiness training.
- FastForward or other workforce funding may reduce eligible costs
- Fees vary by course — confirm the price shown at registration
- Add training hours, projects and the equipment you used
- Credentials and demonstrated skills go on your profile
Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach
Workforce and technical programmes across Hampton Roads: welding, HVAC, electrical, maritime, manufacturing and other lab-based instruction.
- Ask about FastForward, financial aid and employer-sponsored training
- Tuition and fees vary by programme
- Lab projects and equipment competencies are good profile evidence
- Document your training hours as you go
Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions
Middletown and Fauquier campuses
Hands-on electrical, HVAC, plumbing, heavy-equipment and welding courses serving the Shenandoah Valley and western Northern Virginia.
- FastForward funding may cover part of a qualifying credential
- Confirm eligibility and your out-of-pocket cost first
- Course costs vary by programme
- Add credentials, completed projects and the tools you used
Build Smart Institute
Roanoke, VA
Hands-on construction training with pathways that may include carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and other building skills.
- Ask about current cohorts, eligibility, scholarships and employer-supported options
- Programme costs and funding vary
- Add build projects, safety training and the trade tasks you practised
- Confirm the start date before arranging travel
Goodwill Construction and Trade Skills
1335 Alleghany Street, Charlotte, NC
Tuition-free hands-on construction and trade programmes, including construction basics and selected HVAC or electrical pathways, with coaching and employer connections.
- Tuition-free — confirm eligibility and the next information session
- Ask whether tools or transport create any cost for you
- Coaching milestones and employer-verified skills count as evidence
- Bring the required documents to your first session
She Built This City
Charlotte, NC
Hands-on trade exposure and workforce programming in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, construction and critical home repair. Programmes vary by age and cohort.
- Many programmes are grant-supported — cost and eligibility vary
- Confirm whether the current adult programme is free and open
- Built for people who have been shut out of the trades
- Add projects, tools used, service hours and permitted media
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC
HVAC, automotive systems, building construction, welding and other technical pathways, with work-based learning and apprenticeship options.
- Ask about financial aid, short-term workforce funding and military benefits
- Tuition and fees vary by programme
- Work-based-learning hours are strong profile evidence
- Lab competencies and instructor feedback count too
Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity
733 Bargain Street, Fayetteville, NC 28303
Volunteer construction and home-repair work giving supervised jobsite exposure, teamwork and basic tool familiarity when projects are running.
- Free to volunteer, but registration and scheduling are required
- Confirm age, availability and what PPE you need
- Ask for service-hour verification
- With permission, photograph the construction and safety tasks you did
What to bring back for your profile
Volunteering builds real experience, but it is not paid employment, a licence or a formal apprenticeship unless the organisation says so. Tell your KinTrades contact what you picked, so it lines up with the work you are going for.
Showing Your Work on Video
A video is the one thing that makes a hiring manager stop scrolling. It takes about a minute to film on the phone already in your pocket.
You do not need a jobsite
The most common reason people never film is being between jobs and thinking they have nothing to show. You do. Real tools at home, in a garage, in a training room, or anywhere safe can be enough.
- Lay your real tools out and name them, one by one
- Talk through a repair: what was wrong, what you checked, what fixed it
- Talk over photos of finished work
- Say what you could be handed on day one with no training
Filming with just a phone
- 30 to 90 seconds. Short beats padded
- Vertical is fine — film how you hold your phone
- Face a window, not a light. Daylight beats everything
- Get close for sound, or film somewhere quiet
- Be in the frame. Employers hire a person, not a pair of hands
- Re-record as often as you like. Nothing saves until you keep it
What employers look for
- That you can explain your own work in your own words
- Safety habits without being asked: eye protection, guards, lock-out
- One task done properly, not a tour of everything
- Straight talk about what you do alone and where you would ask for help
OSHA & Safety Training
Essential safety certifications required by most construction and trade employers. OSHA training is often a prerequisite for job sites.
OSHA 10-Hour Construction
Entry-level safety training for construction workers covering common hazards and safety practices.
- Recognized nationwide
- Online or in-person options
- Valid OSHA card upon completion
- Usually required for most job sites
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Advanced safety training for supervisors and workers with safety responsibilities.
- In-depth hazard recognition
- Supervisory-level content
- Career advancement credential
- Higher pay opportunities
First Aid & CPR Certification
American Red Cross or AHA certification for workplace first aid and CPR.
- 2-year certification
- Required on many job sites
- Online + skills session
- Increases employability
Trade-Specific Certifications
Industry-recognized credentials that demonstrate expertise in your specific trade and can lead to higher wages.
NCCER Certifications
National Center for Construction Education and Research - portable credentials recognized industry-wide.
- Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Welding
- Stackable credentials (Core to Master)
- Electronic credential registry
- Accepted nationwide
EPA Section 608 Certification
Required for HVAC technicians who work with refrigerants.
- Type I, II, III, or Universal
- Legally required for HVAC work
- Online testing available
- Lifetime certification
AWS Welding Certifications
American Welding Society certifications for various welding processes and positions.
- Multiple welding processes
- Industry standard for welders
- Hands-on testing required
- High-demand credentials
Forklift Operator Certification
OSHA-compliant forklift training and certification for warehouse and construction sites.
- Required by OSHA regulations
- 3-year renewal cycle
- Classroom + practical exam
- Increases job opportunities
Apprenticeship Programs
Earn while you learn through registered apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeships
Find registered apprenticeship programs in your area across all skilled trades.
- Searchable database by trade/location
- Earn while you learn
- No tuition costs
- Nationally recognized credentials
Union Apprenticeships
Trade union apprenticeship programs with strong placement rates and benefits.
- Electricians, plumbers, ironworkers
- Health benefits during training
- Guaranteed wage progression
- Job placement assistance
ABC Apprenticeship
Associated Builders and Contractors merit shop apprenticeship programs.
- 18+ trade programs
- Flexible training schedules
- Industry-backed curriculum
- Career advancement pathways
Skills Development & Online Learning
Expand your knowledge with online courses, video tutorials, and self-paced learning resources.
SkillCat
Phone app · self-paced
Accredited trade certifications you can work through on your phone: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, appliance repair and maintenance, including EPA 608.
- EPA 608 is the credential most HVAC employers ask for first
- Self-paced, built to get you job-ready in weeks rather than terms
- Around $10 a month — check the current price before you subscribe
- Upload the certificate to your KinTrades profile when you pass
YouTube Construction Channels
Free video tutorials from experienced tradespeople covering techniques and best practices.
- Essential Craftsman
- This Old House
- SkillsUSA
- Hundreds of how-to videos
LinkedIn Learning for Trades
Professional development courses for construction management, safety, and technical skills.
- Project management
- Blueprint reading
- Business skills
- Certificates of completion
CareerOneStop Training Finder
U.S. Department of Labor tool to find training programs and financial aid.
- Search by occupation
- Find scholarships/grants
- Compare programs
- Local training options
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Get help paying for training and certifications through grants, scholarships, and financial assistance programs — including federal Pell Grants, which now cover short-term trade certificates.
Workforce Pell Grants (FAFSA)
Federal Pell Grants now cover short-term trade training (as short as 8 weeks). Grant money — never repaid. Up to $7,395/year. No criminal history disqualification.
- Up to $7,395/year (prorated for shorter programs)
- Grant money — never repaid
- No criminal history disqualification
- Covers short-term trade certificates
Second-Chance Pell Eligibility
The ban on Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals was lifted in 2023. Formerly incarcerated individuals have always been eligible. No drug conviction disqualification.
- No criminal history barrier
- Drug conviction ban removed
- Can start training while incarcerated
- Community orgs can help with FAFSA
Virginia FastForward + Pell
State-funded program covering up to 2/3 of short-term credential costs at any Virginia community college. Stacks with Pell Grants for potentially zero out-of-pocket training.
- State pays up to 2/3 of tuition
- All VCCS colleges (incl. NOVA)
- Combine with Pell for $0 cost
- Welding, HVAC, electrical, CDL, auto
UDC Community College
Pell-eligible trade programs in construction, electrical, HVAC, and automotive technology. DC DOES can help with FAFSA completion.
- Title IV eligible (Pell accepted)
- Construction, electrical, HVAC, auto
- Located in Washington, D.C.
- DC DOES can help with FAFSA
Prince George's & Montgomery College
Pell-eligible trade certificates in construction, electrical, HVAC, welding, and automotive. Multiple campuses across the Maryland suburbs of D.C.
- Title IV eligible (Pell accepted)
- Construction, electrical, HVAC, welding
- Close to D.C. metro area
- Evening/weekend scheduling
Fayetteville Technical CC
Pell-eligible trade certificates in welding, HVAC, electrical, construction, CDL, and machining. Near Fort Liberty — great for veterans transitioning to civilian trades.
- Title IV eligible (Pell accepted)
- Welding, HVAC, electrical, CDL, CNC
- Near Fort Liberty (veterans welcome)
- NCWorks partner for job placement
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA)
Federal program providing training funding for eligible workers.
- Free job training
- Career counseling
- Support services
- Available at local workforce centers
Trade Association Scholarships
Many trade associations offer scholarships for training and certification.
- ABC Educational Foundation
- PHCC Educational Foundation
- AGC Education Foundation
- Application-based awards
GI Bill for Veterans
Veterans can use education benefits for apprenticeships and trade training.
- Monthly housing allowance
- Apprenticeship programs eligible
- On-the-job training covered
- No tuition costs