As a company focused on helping Home Service Businesses, we work with Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical companies, and we understand the importance of Skilled Trades, which is why in this blog post we’ll look at one of the most important resources for new Trades – Explore The Trades.
What is Explore The Trades?
Explore The Trades is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 to bridge the technical talent gap in the service trades of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical. The organization creates awareness of the trades by providing classroom and on-demand resources to educators, young adults, parents, and all those ready to begin a career in the trades.
Their mission is to recruit individuals to the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical trades. These industries keep our country running.
Jobs in these industries are in high demand and come with great pay, career opportunities, and job security. They want to help you discover that these careers aren’t just a choice – they’re the best choice.
The trades are a timeless industry with a rich history. For generations, tradespeople have been instrumental in building this nation and they will continue to serve our communities years into the future. Explore The Trades is dedicated to promoting this legacy and empowering future generations.
How to Become a Skilled Trades (Apprenticeship to Master)
Explore the Trades provides a journey for new Trades from Apprentices to Master Technicians. This journey typically looks like this: Apprentice (3-5 years) → Journeyman (2-5 Years) → Master Technician.
What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are a time-tested employee training system that combines job-related technical instruction with structured on-the-job learning experiences. The plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical trades are built upon apprenticeships.
Apprentices gain skills and in-depth industry knowledge through paid on-the-job training that puts them ahead in their pursuit of a great career.
Most states require aspiring skilled tradespeople to complete formal education through a trade school or an apprenticeship. In some instances, students may complete their apprenticeship during school as part of their training. Other times, a license may be obtained in school, then followed by an apprenticeship.
*Please consult your state’s licensure requirements for specific details.
What is a Journeyman?
Journeyman Plumber
You’ll become a journeyman plumber after you’ve completed the requirements for your apprenticeship and complete the licensure exam in your state. At this point, you’re able to go out on service calls without supervision.
Responsibilities as a journeyman plumber in residential service include installing new and existing plumbing, drainage systems, and gas lines. Journeyman plumbers are experts in fittings, pipes, and fixtures.
Journeyman Electrician
Job responsibilities of a journeyman electrician include: installing wiring and electrical components, repairing and replacing old wiring and fixtures, reading blueprints, and planning electrical installations or updates.
What is a Master Technician?
Master Plumber
After you’ve worked for five consistent years as a journeyman, you’re eligible to become a master plumber. Additional training and education, along with another exam, are necessary to achieve this licensure.
As a master plumber, you will be serving in more leadership capacities, often supervising journeyman plumbers and apprentices. Master plumbers are also responsible for creating plumbing schematics, planning water systems, and working with officials from the code and permit offices.
Master Electrician
In addition to many of the responsibilities of a journeyman electrician, master electricians serve in a supervisory role. To earn the licensure of master electrician, additional training and education are needed. On average, it takes between two to five years to achieve such certification. This will vary by state.
Job responsibilities of a master electrician include: meeting with other contractors to determine the scope of details of projects, coordinating projects with suppliers and permit offices, and scheduling work assignments among journeyman and apprentice electricians.
Pink Callers Interview with Kate Cinnamo – Executive Director at Explore The Trades
What did you see around you that made you start Explore The Trades?
I’ve had the privilege of working in this role for five years. I wish I would’ve founded Explore The Trades! I’ve worked in the nonprofit space for 18 years and most recently, worked in the senior housing and healthcare industry in grant management, development, and community relations.
Explore The Trades is a one-stop shop for those beginning their research. We believe we can provide a solid foundation of information as a starting point for many.
How can someone join Explore The Trades?
Many of those who utilize our content are from the education field. During my tenure at Explore The Trades, we’ve discovered that the educators need educating on HOW to begin in the trades. The path to college is well-known, but the opposite is true for vocations.
The best way to start a relationship with our organization is to visit us online, search for the content you need and you’ll find various downloads and videos that can be easily integrated with classroom or workforce education. If you’re a contractor, you’ll find these resources can be included in your recruiting plan or may be used at a local hiring or home and garden show.
Does Explore the Trades directly facilitate apprenticeship opportunities for individuals interested in a career in the Trades?
Explore The Trades has compiled a directory of information on our website that is specific to each state. Rather than promoting specific apprenticeship programs, we understand that each individual needs options to fit the program that best suits their needs. This directory is ongoing with additions of programs. Should someone have a question about where to find said programs, we encourage them to reach out to our team.
Does Explore The Trades provide support to individuals during their apprenticeship period?
No. We can help them find one, but we do not work with them throughout their apprenticeship.
Should a conflict arise between an apprentice and their supervisor, does Explore the Trades mediate?
No.
About Kate Cinnamo
A 2003 graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, Kate has worked in the nonprofit space for over 20 years.
Starting as a college admission counselor, she then moved to senior healthcare and housing where she managed community relations, grant management, and fund development. Kate has served as the Executive Director of Explore The Trades since 2017 and believes she might have one of the best jobs on the planet.
Kate lives in Minnesota with her husband, Josh, and two kids, Tate and Tess.