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April 22, 2024
There are dozens of high-quality, good-paying career paths in the trades that do not require a four-year degree. Explore our career profiles to learn more about the pathways to success in the trades.
Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries, and align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints.
Carpenters build, install, and repair frameworks/structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, and wallboard, using hand tools and power tools.
Welders use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
Heavy Equipment operators operate one or more types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, dump trucks and scrapers.
Road builders operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds and other transportation infrastructure.
Professions in the trades include home builders, electricians, welders, road builders, carpenters, plumbers, linemen, sheet metal workers and boilermakers, to name a few.
The demand for skilled construction workers has never been higher, with millions of job openings across the country. In Tennessee alone, there is a shortage of more than 315,000 workers across all trades, making it an ideal time to pursue a career in construction. You can start earning an income right away, as many companies offer their own training programs and apprenticeships that provide on-the-job training. One of the best aspects of a career in the trades is the limitless growth potential. While you may start in an entry-level position, many workers progress to leadership roles within their companies, or even use their experience to start their own businesses. With dedication and hard work, the opportunities for success in the trades are endless.
Skilled Tradesmen
Needed Through 2026
Average Starting
Salary after an apprenticeship
require less than a
four-year degree
A career in construction is one of the best decisions you will ever make. You can make a great living, the jobs are in high demand, it’s safe and there is little to no debt compared to a traditional 4-year degree.
Whether you are wanting to change careers, explore new opportunities, follow a passion, re-enter the workforce after time away, or anything in between, the trades allow Tennesseans from all backgrounds to have exciting career opportunities.
As a parent, you have a significant influence in helping your child explore their interests. Talk with your child about their passions, encourage them to skill up for a skilled trades career.
Assisting the growth and development of our future workforce is critical to the success of Tennessee's thriving economy, and it requires the collective effort of educators, counselors, contractors and industry partners.
In Tennessee, we are leading the way with more than 100 training programs for the trades including at our 24 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), 13 Community Colleges, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee have two Construction Trades Academies – with one location in Nashville and one in Knoxville that offer training for electrical, carpentry, plumbing, HVAC and masonry trades – and many other opportunities for apprenticeships and on the job training.