FUTUREFOCUS IN THE FUTURE

AGENDA

FutureFocus

September 10, 2026

TRADES

Careers that Work!

WHAT IS A TRADE?

• A career that requires advanced or specialized skills that are gained through experience, vocational/technical school, or apprenticeships.

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• Trade careers may involve manual work and can occur both in and outside of an office environment.

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• Trade careers can be found in various industries, such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, cosmetology, and the culinary arts.

WHY SHOULD SOMEONE CONSIDER A TRADE?

THE REALITIES OF TRADES

• Specialized knowledge – you’ll need training, whether on the job or trade/technical school
• Typically, very hands-on careers – must like “doing,” “making,” “creating,” etc.
• There are some jobs that are more inside/office-type.
• You may spend long days on your feet or outdoors in all types of weather.
• There may be physical requirements, such as needing to be able to lift or maneuver objects of a certain weight or size.
• Trades allow for graduates to begin your adult life on adult footing immediately – you’ll make a salary right away, earn benefits, and incur little to no student loan debt

EXAMPLES OF TRADES

• Welder
• Video Editor
• Mortician
• Electrician
• Plumber
• Hairstylist
• Air Traffic Controller
• Chef
• Auto Mechanic
• Certified Personal Trainer
• Farmer
• Carpenter
• Truck Driver
• Pilot
• Licensed Practical Nurse
• Firefighter
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Dental Hygienist
• Ultrasonographer
• Receptionist
• Graphic Designer
• Web Developer
• Interior Designer
• Massage Therapist
• Landscaper
• Pet Groomer
• Photographer
• Paralegal
• Vet Technician
• Real Estate Agent
• Pharmacy Technician
• Administrative Assistant
• Glassblower
• Respiratory Therapist
• Jeweler
• Florist

HOW CAN I BE TRAINED FOR A TRADE?

• Technical Colleges

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• Chattahoochee Technical College www.chattahoocheetech.edu

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• Gwinnett Technical College
• http://gwinnetttech.edu

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• Trade Schools
• Mechanical Trades Institute www.mti-jatt.org/

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• Georgia Trade School www.georgiatradeschool.com/

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• Paul Mitchell Esani Hair & Beauty School (Roswell, GA)
• https://paulmitchell.edu/atlanta-esani

Apprenticeships

• www.apprenticeship.gov

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• Electrical Training Center https://sites.google.com/aejatc.org/etc

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• Atlanta Carpenters Apprenticeship www.atlantacarpenters.com

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Disclaimer! BE CAREFUL THAT YOU CHOOSE QUALITY PROGRAMS THAT AREN’T TOO EXPENSIVE!

Many times, you can be PAID to learn or learn for free rather than pay someone else for many trade careers.

Research, Research, Research!

APPRENTICESHIPS

• “Registered Apprenticeships” are “structured, provide on-the-job learning and job-related classroom training.” Training results in portable, nationally-recognized credentials
• Trade or labor unions often coordinate apprenticeship programs
• Experienced trade professionals often offer apprenticeships
• Those who complete an apprenticeship program are called “Journeymen”
• We keep a list of local unions/apprenticeship programs on the Pope Counseling Webpage in our Colleges/Career section

www.popeschoolcounseling.com

Also, check out www.apprenticeship.gov to search

93% of those who complete a registered apprenticeship retain employment with an average annual salary of $77,000

MECHANICAL TRADES INSTITUTE – TRADE SCHOOL

PAUL MITCHELL – ESANI – TRADE SCHOOL

GEORGIA TRADE SCHOOL

WOMEN IN TRADES?

• While the trades have been a male-dominated field historically, more and more women are working in trades!
• Check out:
• Girls Garage - https://girlsgarage.org/
• Professional Women in Construction - https://pwcusa.org/
• Women in Trades Hub (W.I.T.H.) - https://womenintradeshub.com/
• Empowered Women in Trades – https://ewitrades.com

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RESOURCES

• Explore The Trades - https://explorethetrades.org/
• BlueCollarBrain – https://bluecollarbrain.com
• Apprenticeship.gov – http://www.apprenticeship.gov
• Indeed.com – www.indeed.com
• CareerOneStop – www.careeronestop.org
• CobbWorks/Work Source Georgia – www.worksourcecobb.org
• Cool Works (Jobs in great places) – www.coolworks.com
• Pope Counseling Webpage – www.popeschoolcounseling.com

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TECHNICAL COLLEGES

See all TCSG colleges at www.tcsg.edu

Technical Colleges in GA have no mininum GPA requirement!

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No testing required!

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Fill out an application on the college website (not Common App)

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Send your initial transcript and then your final transcript in May

Chattahoochee Technical College

OUR LOCAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE

WHAT CREDENTIALS CAN I EARN AT A TECHNICAL COLLEGE?

Programs at Chattahoochee Technical College

Programs at Chattahoochee Technical College

• Esthetician

Some Programs at Other Technical Colleges in GA

Animal Science

Certified Personal Trainer

Dental Hygiene

Fish and Wildlife Management

Floral Designer

Golf Course Management

Game Developer

Historic Preservation and Restoration

Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Management

Interior Design

Locomotive Technology/Repair

Mechatronics Technology

Pharmacy Technology

Photography

Recording Arts Technology

Salon and Spa Support Specialist

Sports and Fitness Management

Veterinary Technology

HOPE GRANT CAN HELP PAY

• Certificates and Diplomas ONLY

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• No initial minimum GPA Requirement for HOPE Grant
• Maintain a 2.0 after first 30 hours (roughly 10 classes)
• Pays around 80-100% tuition!

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• HOPE Career Grant - for high demand careers (combined with HOPE Grant, you get 100% tuition paid!)

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• Zell Miller Grant - funds 100% tuition if you have a 3.5 GPA at the end of the first term

Q&A – WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?

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