Skilled Trades Pathway
Skilled Trades Career Pathway
Is this the right pathway for me?
- Do you enjoy working with your hands and solving practical problems?
- Are you interested in learning a specific trade and gaining hands-on experience?
- Do you feel satisfaction seeing the physical results of your work?
What is the Skilled Trades Pathway?
Career Pathways in the Skilled Trades are about using skills in design, planning and management to work in careers building and maintaining structures such as buildings, homes, bridges, or machinery. Work opportunities include developing new structures, restorations, additions, alterations, and repairs.
What sort of work would I do?
In skilled trades, students can do a wide variety of hands-on jobs that call for specific skills, knowledge, and training. For example, as a carpenter, you build and fix structures and furniture. Electricians work on electrical systems, plumbers fix plumbing, and welders join metal pieces. Mechanics repair vehicles, HVAC technicians work on heating and cooling systems, and masons build with bricks or stones. Painters add color to surfaces, cabinetmakers create wooden furniture, and auto body repair technicians fix damaged vehicles. These jobs let you use your hands, work with tools, and see the results of your work. It’s a practical and skilled field with lots of different jobs to choose from
Leads to these Careers
In-Demand Occupations
| Typical Education Required | Career Title | Average Annual Salary | Job Outlook in WA State (2020-2030) |
|---|---|---|---|
| High School Diploma | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,562 | 7% increase |
| Associate Degree (or Certificate) | Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic | $68,932 | 19% increase |
| High School Diploma | Automotive Service Technician | $54,945 | 12% increase |

