There’s Never Been a Better Time to Follow Your Passion

Wood Science Technology, CNC Machinist,
Automotive, Electrical, HVAC/R, and Welding

The Real Best Reason to Go Into the Skilled Trades

Right now more than ever, America is realizing the value of its makers, fixers, builders, and problem solvers. The experts who keep our lights and heat on, our manufacturers producing, and our equipment running are in short supply and high demand. That means that career opportunities are on the rise, along with earning potential.

Skilled tradespeople with industry certifications, apprenticeship credentials, or degrees from community colleges earn more between 20-50% than the general population. 

But, those aren’t the best reasons to pursue a skilled career.

Tradespeople love their jobs. 

A recent Angi list annual report found that 83% of people in these careers are somewhat or extremely satisfied in their work.

What are the Skilled Trades?

Categorically, a skilled tradesperson is someone who works with their hands and has specialized skills to create, fix, install, or maintain. Often they can be their own bosses, because they have expertise and skills that most others do not.

Tradespeople work in the field, at manufacturing companies, or for corporations large and small. In these roles, advanced training leads to promotions, salary increases, and new challenges. In fact, as junior tradespeople gain skills and experience, their wages nearly double (angi.com).

Get Paid to Love What You Do

With two-thirds of Americans questioning their careers, now is an excellent time to invest in loving your work. If you’ve imagined that your interest in cars or welding or problem solving were only hobbies, now is the right time to re-imagine them as a better future for yourself.

Discover what a day in the life of tradespeople is actually like. Meet Michiganders working in these fields and decide for yourself if they’re a fit for you by exploring these videos from Going Pro in Michigan.

In One to Two Years, Invest in a New You

At Kirtland Community College, you’ll learn in the highest quality facilities and from instructors who are professionals in their fields. We know that the best way to figure something out is to try for yourself. And the best way to master a skill is to practice it. 

That’s why most of our Skilled trades programs focus on hands-on learning that allows you to master the real skills you need on the real equipment and real technology you’ll use. 

Kirtland’s Gaylord facility is the College’s hub for its electrical, HVAC/R, and welding programs. In Grayling, our automotive, wood science, and manufacturing processes labs are brand new and modernized to ensure that students are prepared for the future of each industry. Both campuses feature state-of-the-art labs that allow you to explore and perfect skills for your dream career.

Because of financial programs that can help you pay for some or all of your Kirtland training, there’s nothing to stop you from enjoying what you do every day.

Stay Curious. Keep Investigating. Take the Next Step.

Keep exploring Kirtland’s Skilled Trades programs! We’ve worked to ensure that when and where you take courses can fit in your life now and can change your life for the long term. 

Or, better yet, just reach out. We would love to have you meet the people you’ll learn from and to see the incredible labs you’ll learn in.