Coming soon to public television: Explore The Trades on All Access hosted by Andy Garcia. Get the details →
Free Career Posters for Your Classroom
Explore The Trades is dedicated to raising awareness of the skilled trades among students and educators across the country, with free career and technical education (CTE) posters and classroom resources.
Our free classroom posters and resources have reached over 3,400 public school districts – 25% of all U.S. public school districts – and impact over 1,300,000 students!
Request a free poster for your classroom today!
Exploring Trade Careers After High School or Considering a Career Change? We Can Help.
Check out our resources to find the information that’s right for you:
OUR IMPACT
We deliver information about plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and customer service and dispatch directly to students throughout North America.
Schools, businesses & other agencies utilizing our resources
Students impacted by our resources
U.S. school districts using our materials
Encouraging Careers in HVAC, Plumbing, & Electrical
At Explore The Trades, our mission is to connect you with rewarding careers in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical trades. These essential industries offer strong demand, solid earning potential, and long-term job security. Many skilled trades careers start with real-world job training, so you’re building skills and a paycheck at the same time.
Trades Education in Action.
Explore The Trades hosted a powerful panel featuring Mayfair educator Evin Jarrett and former student Jamiah Washington, who share how trades education shaped their lives and futures. Moderated by Executive Director Kate Cinnamo and Trustee Lauren Martin of Seaside Plumbing Inc., the conversation offers real-world insight and inspiration from those living the experience.
Watch the video to hear their stories and see why community advocacy and skilled trades education matter more than ever.
Learn more about the career paths, growth opportunities, and importance of the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical trades:
Plumbing
Plumbing
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Electrical
electrical
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HVAC
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Customer Service & Dispatch
customer service & dispatch
learn moreTrades Career Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a training program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on, on-the-job learning alongside experienced professionals. It’s a time-tested way to get your foot in the door of a trades career, and in most programs, you earn a paycheck while you learn.
Interested in exploring apprenticeship and trade school options?
You Can Support the Next Generation of Tradespeople
By donating to Explore The Trades, you provide classroom and on-demand resources to educators, young adults, and parents. There are many ways to encourage career success with Explore The Trades:
Explore The Trades Updates
Challenging Depictions of Blue-Collar Workers in Media
Challenging the Narrative: How Views of Blue-Collar Workers Are Shifting Blog Summary: Blue-collar workers are the plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and other skilled professionals who build, power, and repair the places we live and work. The term isn’t offensive on
Explore Your Impact – October 2026
SKILLS LAB EQUIPMENT GRANTS ARE NOW OPEN! We’re excited to announce that the “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grant program is open for a new application cycle! And this year, the program is growing! We’re proud
Trades Talk – October 2026
Skills Lab Equipment Grants Are Now Open! We’re excited to announce that the “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grant program is open for a new application cycle! And this year, the program is growing! We’re proud
The Right Career. The Right Support. The Right Time.
Right Job.
Right Guidance.
Right Now.
Not sure where to begin? Let us help you navigate the path to a successful career in the trades.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Trades
What Are Trades Careers?
Trade careers are hands-on, skilled jobs in fields like plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. Most trades start with paid on-the-job training or a short program instead of a four-year college degree, so you can start earning sooner and take on less debt. Trades careers offer strong job security, real earning potential, and clear paths to move up.
What are the Different Types of Trades?
The core skilled trades are plumbing, heating and cooling (HVAC), and electrical. Other common trades include welding, carpentry, and heavy equipment operation, and roles like customer service and dispatch keep trade businesses running. Every home and building depends on these workers, making them a future-proof career path.
Where Can I Learn a Trade?
Trade education can start in high school technical classes and progress through community colleges, trade schools, and registered apprenticeships, where you get paid while you train. Many people combine a short program with an apprenticeship to build skills and experience at the same time. Explore The Trades offers free resources and guidance to help students and educators get started.
What Trade Is Right for Me?
The right trade depends on what you enjoy doing every day. Electricians work with electrical systems and wiring, plumbers handle water and drainage systems, and HVAC technicians keep heating and cooling equipment running. Take our free career quiz to narrow down which trade fits you best.
Can You Be a Jack-of-All-Trades in Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical Work?
Yes. Many service technicians cross-train in more than one trade, which can mean more job security, higher earning potential, and more chances to advance. It takes time, and you’ll need to meet licensing requirements for each trade in your state. Learn more about what being a jack of all trades actually looks like.
What Are the Highest-Paying Trades?
Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians are among the best-paying trade jobs you can get without a four-year degree. Pay rises as you gain experience, earn a journeyman license, and move into roles like supervisor or business owner. Adding specialty skills and working in high-demand areas can raise your earnings even more.
What Is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid training program where you learn a trade on the job from experienced professionals while also taking classes. Most apprenticeships last a few years, and you earn a paycheck throughout instead of paying tuition. It’s one of the most common paths to becoming a licensed plumber, electrician, or HVAC technician.
What Are Good Trades for Women?
Women succeed in every trade, including plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work, and many employers are actively working to hire more of them. Trades careers offer strong pay, clear advancement, and a chance to stand out in a growing field. Learn about resources for women building careers in the field on our Women in the Trades page.
What Jobs Don't Require a College Degree?
Many well-paying careers don’t require a four-year degree, including electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. With apprenticeship programs, you can start earning sooner and avoid large student loans, which is why more students are rethinking the traditional four-year degree.
What Is the Easiest Trade to Learn?
The easiest trade to learn is usually the one that matches your interests, because that keeps you motivated through training. In plumbing and HVAC, apprentices learn the basics on the job from day one, and customer service and dispatch roles are a way into the industry without technical training. Take our career quiz to find your best starting point.