Truth: One of the best things about the trades is the apprenticeship training. With over 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom instruction, you will have plenty of time and opportunity to develop your skills! You do not need any skills to start – you just have to come willing to learn!

Truth: The trades are one of the best starter jobs out there. Students get to begin their careers 2 to 4 years sooner than those with a 4-year degree. This means that their student loans are very minimal, and they have at least a 2-year head start in their career. They have a VERY high job placement rate and make a starting median salary of $41,000.

Truth: The Northeastern MN construction industry is thriving. It is employing almost 10,000 people and distributes an average wage of $41,755 annually. The opportunities in this industry are only increasing as Minnesota is expected to add over 10,000 new construction jobs in the next decade.

Truth: The trades offer great benefits, the opportunity to learn while you earn, a wide variety of specialized positions (you have lots of job skills to choose from), the ability to stay in NE Minnesota or travel, and they offer a good salary. If you are interested in any of these things, the trades may be right for you!

Truth: Skilled trades are occupations that require a special skill, knowledge or ability which can be obtained through a technical program at a community college in two years or less, or through specialized training like apprenticeship. The key characteristic of a skilled trade is the combination of classroom learning with learning on the job. A job in the trades means that you will be doing work that affects people’s lives everyday – making it better & safer.

Truth: The trades are one of the best starter jobs out there. Students get to begin their careers 2 to 4 years sooner than those with a 4-year degree. This means that their student loans are very minimal, and they have at least a 2-year head start in their career. They have a VERY high job placement rate and make a starting median salary of $41,000.

Truth: How would you feel if you were part of the crew that built Minnesota’s highest bridge or the United States Hockey Hall of Fame? Having a skilled trade offers opportunities to be a part of highly prestigious projects. No matter what trade you are working in, improving people’s everyday lives is something to be proud of.

Truth: One of the best things about the trades is the apprenticeship training. With over 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom instruction, you will have plenty of time and opportunity to develop your skills! You do not need any skills to start – you just have to come willing to learn!

Truth: Learning a trade is always a hands-on experience, with different combinations of classroom training depending on the path you take. The best part is you’re getting paid to learn.

Truth: Construction provides substantially higher wages in the region with an average annual wage of $55,896 — $14,000 more than the average salary in the region. The median wage for construction careers is $27.26/hr vs the $17.25/hour median wage for all NE Minnesota occupations. Many people in the construction industry earn well over $100,000 a year along with excellent benefits.