Skilled trade jobs are in demand – and as more Baby Boomers retire, that demand will grow. In fact, new research from staffing company PeopleReady shows that the most in-demand skilled trade jobs remain unfilled due to a shortage of qualified workers. This data underscores the importance of exploring trade skills careers – and the steady, well-paying jobs that accompany them – with today’s young people.
If you’re looking to boost career exploration in your trade skills classroom, keep reading. You’ll find downloadable lesson plans, hands-on training tools and other resources for jump-starting conversations about potential careers with your students.
Free lesson plans for exploring in-demand skilled trades
We partnered with subject matter experts to create lesson plans focused on in-demand trade skills careers. Use this comprehensive curriculum to check out careers in building trades, mechanical trades and more with your students.
guideWELD® VR welding simulator
Smaller and more portable than higher-end competitors, guideWELD VR transports easily from the classroom to career fairs and open houses. Plus, the video game-like system attracts attention and immediately engages users. Because of this, guideWELD VR is a popular option for instructors looking to recruit new students to trade skills programs and get them interested in related careers.
Free skilled trades careers classroom poster
Introduce students to the variety of high-paying trade skills job opportunities with this printable infographic.
Workplace-specific soft skills activity cards
Our workplace-specific Career Scenario Cards use real-world situations and interactive activities to help students develop key soft skills within the context of specific careers. Trade skills-focused card sets include welding, construction and manufacturing themes, plus others. Purchase a complete set or sample three cards from each workplace-specific set for free.
RealCareer™ Electrical Wiring Kit
Introduce electrical wiring basics – and a potential career path – with this Electrical Wiring Kit. It includes everything educators need to set up small group activities where students can practice basic skills, then assess their progress. (Learn how a North Carolina middle school used their kits here.) This battery-operated kit includes everything you need to facilitate interactive practice sessions, including curriculum.
Bonus resource: Basic Trade Skills Package
We created our Basic Trade Skills Package to give teachers a comprehensive solution for starting or building a trade skills pathway program. Use the training tools and curricula in this package to introduce students to the skilled trades, develop fundamental skills and explore careers.
More resources for exploring trade skills careers
Discover additional resources for increasing hands-on learning and career exploration in your trade skills classroom with simulators and models that address important skills.
