What are trades?
If you are interested in hands-on work while making a good salary, a career in the trades might be right for you! Skilled trades are occupations that require special skills and on-the-job training or formal vocational education, but not a four-year college degree.
Trades commonly fall into one of these main fields: Automotive, Construction, Electrical, Information Technology (IT), Healthcare, and Manufacturing. Trades are also found in the areas of Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, and Law Enforcement.
Examples of occupations in the trades include: auto mechanics, carpenters, computer technicians, electricians, landscape designers, medical imaging specialists, plumbers, radiation therapists, steel workers, web developers, and welders.
Today’s jobs in the trades call for highly skilled workers; many offer substantial salaries; and entering the trades can be highly competitive.
Trades commonly fall into one of these main fields: Automotive, Construction, Electrical, Information Technology (IT), Healthcare, and Manufacturing. Trades are also found in the areas of Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, and Law Enforcement.
Examples of occupations in the trades include: auto mechanics, carpenters, computer technicians, electricians, landscape designers, medical imaging specialists, plumbers, radiation therapists, steel workers, web developers, and welders.
Today’s jobs in the trades call for highly skilled workers; many offer substantial salaries; and entering the trades can be highly competitive.
Web Resources
REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeships provide paid training for specific skills, typically in association with a trade union. Most unions require people to apply in person and provide an application, driver's license, U.S. birth certificate or passport, SSN or permanent resident card, academic records, and an application fee. To gain acceptance, you may have to pass an aptitude test, drug screening, and other requirements.
Chicago Building Trades
www.chicagobuildingtrades.org
- The trade unions listed on this site provide apprenticeships in the Chicagoland area.
Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Finder
www.apprenticeship.gov
- This search tool shows opportunities by industry, occupation, and location.
PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
Pre-apprenticeships programs focus on basic skills and hands-on training to help people get into apprenticeship programs.
Chicago Women in Trades
http://chicagowomenintrades2.org
HACIA Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
https://www.haciaworks.org/hacia-u/pre-apprenticeship-programs/
OCCUPATION-SPECIFIC CERTIFICATIONS
High-demand occupations in Illinois include health care, logistics, and information technology, among others. Eligible students can be prepared for these careers through WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) training programs, approved regionally or statewide by Local Workforce Innovation Boards.
Illinois Worknet Center
https://www2.illinoisworknet.com/WIOA/TrainingPartners/Pages/WIOATrainingPrograms.aspx
DIRECTORY OF CAREER TRAINING & WORKFORCE PATHWAYS
This directory highlights career training opportunities for high growth fields that require less than a 4-year degree
Chicagoland Career Pathways Directory
https://www.careerpathways.net/
Apprenticeships provide paid training for specific skills, typically in association with a trade union. Most unions require people to apply in person and provide an application, driver's license, U.S. birth certificate or passport, SSN or permanent resident card, academic records, and an application fee. To gain acceptance, you may have to pass an aptitude test, drug screening, and other requirements.
Chicago Building Trades
www.chicagobuildingtrades.org
- The trade unions listed on this site provide apprenticeships in the Chicagoland area.
Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Finder
www.apprenticeship.gov
- This search tool shows opportunities by industry, occupation, and location.
PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
Pre-apprenticeships programs focus on basic skills and hands-on training to help people get into apprenticeship programs.
Chicago Women in Trades
http://chicagowomenintrades2.org
HACIA Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
https://www.haciaworks.org/hacia-u/pre-apprenticeship-programs/
OCCUPATION-SPECIFIC CERTIFICATIONS
High-demand occupations in Illinois include health care, logistics, and information technology, among others. Eligible students can be prepared for these careers through WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) training programs, approved regionally or statewide by Local Workforce Innovation Boards.
Illinois Worknet Center
https://www2.illinoisworknet.com/WIOA/TrainingPartners/Pages/WIOATrainingPrograms.aspx
DIRECTORY OF CAREER TRAINING & WORKFORCE PATHWAYS
This directory highlights career training opportunities for high growth fields that require less than a 4-year degree
Chicagoland Career Pathways Directory
https://www.careerpathways.net/