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Trades & Apprenticeships

Skilled trades are occupations that require a special skill, knowledge or ability which can be obtained at a college, technical school or through specialized training. Skilled trades provide an alternative to jobs that require four years of college education. While skilled trades can be separated into many areas such as manufacturing, technology, energy, and healthcare, they are generally divided into the following three categories:

  1. Skilled Industrial Trades: welders, machinists, mechanics, tool and die makers, programmers
  2. Skilled Construction Trades: electricians, plumbers, gasfitters, carpenters, bricklayers, technicians, insulators
  3. Skilled Service Trades: nurses, aides, orderlies, therapists, service technicians,

There is a growing concern within the field of trades that we will soon see a critical shortage of adequately trained and competent skilled workers. As the baby boom generation continues to retire and leave the workforce, a lack of qualified candidates to step into vacant trade positions could severely impact economic growth.

Click Below to Learn More About Opportunities to Fill the Trades Gap 

Trade schools in Washington provide career-focused training in high-demand fields such as healthcare, legal services, and emergency services. Learners can earn vocational certificates and degrees to prepare for careers as paramedics, medical assistants, occupational therapy assistants, and dental hygienists. Trade school graduates can also work as electricians, HVAC technicians, paralegals, cosmetologists, and mechanics.Trade schools offer several benefits over four-year academic programs. Earning a vocational certificate or degree generally takes 1-2 years, allowing learners to enter the workforce more quickly.

There are a number of trades and technical schools throughout Washington State.Find My Trade School: https://www.findmytradeschool.com/trade-schools/washington-state/ The Community Colleges of Spokane (SCC and SFCC) also offer a number of different technical and trade programs. 

Hands on Building Trades: https://scc.spokane.edu/What-to-Study/Hands-on-Building-Trade

What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training (OJT) and related classroom instruction under the supervision of a journey-level craft person or trade professional in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation.

After completing an apprenticeship program, the worker's journey-level status provides an additional benefit of nationwide mobility at journey level scale.

The Mead School District is excited about our partnership with the Community Colleges of Spokane and a new dual credit offering called Running Start for Careers. We know there is a need for skilled labor in almost every vocational field and this option allows juniors and/or seniors to start their training at the college for free while simultaneously earning high school credits toward graduation.  Please inquire with the student's grade level counselor for additional information.