Below you can find a collection of free resources in Canada and the US for trades and craftspeople looking for support with employment, education, funding and beyond.
GENERAL FREE RESOURCES:
- Free Resume Template
- A very easy to use free resume template offered by Indeed. Update and download a copy of your resume in minutes (We suggest the 'minimalist' template).
CANADA:
Alberta
- Trade Secrets Alberta
- Apprenticeship & industry training in Alberta
- Alis Alberta
- Looking for a job
- Resume drafting
- Interview prep
- Look for Work Resources
- Tradesecrets Financial Support
- Student loans & scholarships for apprentices
- The Educational Partnership Foundation
- A trades career program for young adults looking to start a career in the trades
British Columbia:
- WorkBC
- Job application tips
- Industry Job Boards
- Career Transition tools & more
- CHBABC British Columbia
- Through Government funding, CHBABC has created programs to foster work in the trades
- LNG Canada Workforce Development
- Funding for workforce development-related initiatives
- Has helped apprenticeships get approved
- Skilled Trades BC
- Classroom training for apprentices in skilled trades
Manitoba
- Trade Up Manitoba
- An existing resource for the trades
Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan Apprenticeship & Trade Certification Commission
- Large resource about local opportunities, programs, and help for the trades
- Government of Saskatchewan
- Job training & Financial Support Programs
- GED Training & Testing
- Education & Training incentive
- Saskatchewan Building Trades
- Resource center for the trades
Ontario
- Government of Ontario - Skilled Trades Resources
- Education & training available to all Ontario residents
- Skilled Trades Ontario
- A hub dedicated to the skilled trades in Ontario
- Excellent resource for New to Canada, residents of other provinces, and Canadian forces wanting to complete a Trade Equivalency Assessment
- Also available in French
- Where Trades Work - School Search
- Resource page to find available courses based on province and interest in the trades
- Centre For Skills Development Ontario
- Skilled Trades Assessment Readiness - resource for individuals interested in starting a career in the trades or tradesmen looking to update their skills
- STAR Program (Skilled Trades Assessment Readiness Program)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Nation-wide
- National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
- Excellent program resource for Florida residents curated for the Construction industry
- Program applies to all levels
- ApprenticeshipUSA
- One-stop source for career seekers to connect with apprenticeship resources
Texas
- Texas Workforce Commission
- Offers information regarding training and retraining programs in the crafts
- Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation
- Offers training in welding, pipefitting, instrument fitting, and others
- San Patricio County EDC
- Resource for all existing workforce training centers in Texas
North Dakota
- Technical Skills Training Grant
- Information regarding grant for technical skills training in North Dakota
- ABC Minnesota/North Dakota
- Resource center for workforce development
Wyoming
- Associated General Contractors of Wyoming
- Education Opportunities & Resources
Colorado
- CWDC
- Job Seeker Training Opportunities Resource
- Colorado Apprenticeship Resource Directory
- Rich resource for apprenticeships & more
- Job Store Staffing
- Job resource for job seekers
Louisiana
- JOB1
- Resource available in Louisiana that looks to offer opportunities both temporary and permanent to the crafts
- Their services include: temp jobs, work readiness opportunities, work experience, and training and certification programs
- Louisiana Economic Development - FastStart
- Team charged with creating programs that answer companies needs regarding workforce
- They include recruitment, training and evaluation services
New Mexico
- Department of Workforce Solutions
- Resources for job seekers
- Central New Mexico Community College
- College offering courses to people interested in the trades
- AGC New Mexico
- Resources for Apprentices
Utah
- ApprenticeshipUSA
- Resource hub for apprentices in Utah
- Utah Women in Trades
- Resources for women in the trades
Pennsylvania
- Department of Labor & Industry
- Programs & resources for people in the trades
- Adult & Continuing Education Center
- People looking to start in the trades can sign up
- Pennsylvania Builder Association
- List of endorsed programs for people wanting to further their education
Ohio
- ACG Ohio
- Workforce development resource available to residents of Ohio
- Includes craft training information, careers resources, and links to other Ohio-centered resources
- Ohio Means Jobs
- Tools and resources for job seekers in Ohio
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
- Resource for those starting a career or reenter the workforce
- JTC Blue Collar Developers
- Training center for those looking to get into the trades
California
- Associated General Contractors California - Training & Education
- Higher Learning Programs - great resource for California residents looking to obtain safety tickets, specialized certifications/training
- Training can be virtual or in-person
- Career path training is available w/ multi course training as well as state-specific training for betterment of the policies in California
- Costs money
- California Workforce Development Board
- Excellent resource for individuals wanting to start in the crafts via apprenticeship
- The High Road Construction career center provides future craftspeople with experience so they can become state-certified
- ABC SoCal
- Apprenticeship & craft training programs available for SoCal residents wanting to start a career in the construction industry
Florida
- Career Source Florida - Career Services
- Currently offering programs catered to people and tradespeople looking to further their education.
New York
- Green-Wood - Bridge to Crafts Careers
- Masonry restoration technician training program available for people wanting to start a career in the construction crafts
- This program is free
- Application deadline has passed - but more training will be available in the future
Georgia
- ABC Georgia
- Apprenticeship & craft training programs available for Georgia residents wanting to start a career in the construction industry
- AGC Georgia
- Resource for construction workers looking to further their knowledge with courses and certifications
- Clayton Works
- Ready-made resource center for Georgia residents
- Includes career centers, vocational training, and more
- Invest Athens Georgia
- A more localized hub for Athens, GA residents
- Offers many resources for workforce development, which includes career pathways, job search tools, and training & career development
North Carolina
- Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
- Resources for the crafts in North Carolina
- Includes customized training programs, apprenticeships, and grants
- Groundbreak Carolinas
- Workforce development resources available in North & South Carolina
- ABC Carolinas
- Resource for construction workers looking to further their knowledge with courses and certifications
Alabama
- AGC Alabama
- Workforce development resource available to residents of Alabama
- Includes craft training information, careers resources, and links to other Alabama-centered resources
- Academy of Craft Training
- Resource center dedicated to the “trades”
- Made for young adults
- AIDT
- Available classes/courses to improve the crafts
- AWTC
- Training programs available for the crafts in Alabama
Illinois
- Illinois Department of Commerce
- Craft Apprenticeship Program available
