electrical · plumbing · carpentry · welding · HVAC
Jobs in the skilled trades
Most trade careers start with an apprenticeship: paid work, classroom hours, and a credential at the end. Here's where to find one, how to get trained, and what employers check for.
Looking for customs, export-control or sanctions jobs? See trade compliance recruiting.
Find openings & apprenticeships
Start with the official apprenticeship search, then widen out.
- Apprenticeship Job FinderU.S. Dept. of Labor Searchable Registered Apprenticeship openings by trade and location. Registered programs pay from day one.
- American Job CentersCareerOneStop / DOL Free local offices for job search help, training funds and pre-apprenticeship referrals.
- Helmets to Hardhatsnonprofit Connects veterans and service members with building-trades apprenticeships and careers.
- USAJOBS: Wage Grade jobsfederal Federal trade jobs (electricians, mechanics, maintenance, equipment operators) are posted as Wage Grade (WG) positions.
- iHireConstructioncommercial job board Construction-only listings, from laborer and craft roles up to superintendent.
Get trained
Two main routes: union joint apprenticeships, and merit-shop (non-union) contractor training. Both lead to journeyman status.
- North America's Building Trades Unionsunion umbrella The front door to the building-trades unions and their apprenticeship programs.
- Electrical Training AllianceIBEW + NECA Electrician apprenticeships through local joint training centers.
- United AssociationUA Plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, HVACR service techs and welders.
- United Brotherhood of CarpentersUBC Carpentry, millwright, drywall and related apprenticeships.
- International Union of Operating EngineersIUOE Heavy-equipment and stationary engineer training.
- Associated Builders and Contractorsmerit shop Non-union contractor association with craft training through its local chapters.
- NCCERcurriculum + credentials Standard craft curricula used by many contractors and schools, with a portable record of your completed modules.
- Chicago Women in Tradesnonprofit Pre-apprenticeship programs and support for women entering the trades.
- SkillsUSAstudents Career and technical student organization: competitions, chapters and employer connections for high school and college students.
- mikeroweWORKS Foundationscholarships Work Ethic Scholarships for trade-school training.
Certifications employers check
Licensing is mostly set by your state. These are the common ones beyond the license.
| Credential | Who it's for | From |
|---|---|---|
| State license lookup | Electricians, plumbers, HVAC and other licensed trades: what your state requires | CareerOneStop |
| OSHA 10 / OSHA 30 | Anyone on a job site; many employers and some states require it | OSHA Outreach |
| EPA Section 608 federal req. | HVAC/R techs who handle refrigerants | U.S. EPA |
| AWS welding certifications | Welders and inspectors | American Welding Society |
| ASE certification | Automotive and truck service techs | ASE |
Know the field
- Occupational Outlook: ConstructionBLS Pay, training required and job outlook for each construction trade.
- Occupational Outlook: Installation, Maintenance & RepairBLS The same for HVAC, mechanics, line installers and maintenance roles.
Hiring tradespeople?
For employers recruiting into the trades.
- Start a Registered ApprenticeshipU.S. Dept. of Labor Build your own pipeline. DOL explains how to register a program and what funding may help.
- Associated General ContractorsAGC Workforce development and recruiting programs for commercial contractors.
- National Association of Home BuildersNAHB Residential construction workforce resources.
- PHCCplumbing, heating, cooling Contractor association with apprenticeship and training programs.