Applied & Skilled TRADES
Building a career in the skilled trades offers a unique path to professional success, blending high-tech innovation with hands-on expertise. Trades are essential to everyday life, providing job security in an ever-changing economy.
For students, the trades represent an opportunity to enter the workforce quickly—often through apprenticeships and specialized trade schools—without the burden of four-year college debt. If you enjoy problem-solving, working with your hands, and seeing the immediate impact of your work, the skilled trades offer a rewarding career with high earning potential and the chance to build the world around you.
For students, the trades represent an opportunity to enter the workforce quickly—often through apprenticeships and specialized trade schools—without the burden of four-year college debt. If you enjoy problem-solving, working with your hands, and seeing the immediate impact of your work, the skilled trades offer a rewarding career with high earning potential and the chance to build the world around you.
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Why consider the trades?
Trades offer high job satisfaction, as most cite job stability, community contributions, and feeling a sense of accomplishment every day as reasons. As college costs rise, the rising earnings and opportunities of the trades are a great option.
Trades offer high job satisfaction, as most cite job stability, community contributions, and feeling a sense of accomplishment every day as reasons. As college costs rise, the rising earnings and opportunities of the trades are a great option.
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There are hundreds of applied and skilled trades available, ranging from construction, to machining, to information technology, and to medical assistance. What career might be best for you?
A D D I T I O N A L R E S O U R C E S
- Apprenticeship Illinois
- workNet DuPage Career Center
- Career and Technical Degree and Certificate Programs | College of DuPage
- Apprenticeship | DuPage County Building Trades
- Career Seekers | Apprenticeship.gov
2026 TEE College & Trades Fair Attendees:
- Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Apprentice and Training Program
- IAMAW Mechanics Union Local 701, Aurora
- Operating Engineering Local 150
- Pipefitters Local 597
- Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
- Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association Local 4
- Bulley and Andrews
- Plumbers Local Union 130
- IBEW Local Union 701
- Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers