For many people considering a career in the HVAC, plumbing, or electrical trades, the traditional route of trade school remains the assumed starting point. In fact, the notion is so pervasive that few challenge it: “Learn the material, get the certification, and then apply for the job.” CourseCareers was created with a different model based on how the trades really work.
Across the board, the primary way into the skilled trades has not been trade school. Contractors often hire new workers with little or no prior education and train them directly on the job sites. Despite the trend moving towards on-the-job training and more job openings across the trades, competition for spots is still high. CourseCareers positions its trade course offerings within this existing reality. By completing a trades course, CourseCareers students can gain prior knowledge about a trade that can help them stand out from the crowd of applicants who are hoping to learn everything they need to know solely through apprenticeships.
The Notion That Trade School Is Necessary For A Career In The Trades Stems From The Perception That The Work Is Technical And Highly Regulated.
For example, an HVAC system involves sophisticated mechanical concepts, electrical work must adhere strictly to code, and plumbing involves precise mathematical calculations and safety considerations. Vocational schools take advantage of this perception and market themselves as the traditional starting point for these careers, and guidance counselors and parents often follow the traditional wisdom. CourseCareers’ model challenges the conventional wisdom by distinguishing between the two and arguing that they are used for different purposes.
Traditionally, all training in the skilled trades was provided through an apprenticeship model. Workers would learn the necessary skills by watching experienced tradespeople and gradually working under their supervision in real working conditions. And it remains true today. Contractors want to train new workers directly for several reasons: they can teach the specific safety procedures and other company-specific details from the start, and they can do it more efficiently and cost-effectively than a trade school can. CourseCareers does not attempt to replace this model, only to provide training prior to it.
CourseCareers Offers Online Courses For HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing Trade Skills, All Designed For Beginners.
While these courses are not designed to provide certification for trade skills, CourseCareers views them as preparation for an apprenticeship or entry-level work. CourseCareers also offers optional one-on-one coaching for an additional price. The platform’s lineup of coaches includes industry veterans such as Mike Fitzgerald, whose experience includes decades of work in the HVAC trade, including management and teaching part-time at traditional trade schools. Fitzgerald has also seen firsthand the impact different training paths have on long-term success and the benefit or lack thereof of formal training.
“I’ve spent decades in the HVAC trade, working in the field, managing teams, and even teaching at trade schools after work. But the truth is, you don’t need years in a classroom to start your career. CourseCareers gives you the knowledge you need to get started fast, learn on the job, and build a strong foundation for a successful future in this trade,” he said.
As part of the curriculum, CourseCareers also offers a career component to its trade programs. After completing the Skills Training part of the course and passing the final exam, the student is granted access to the Career Launchpad, which walks the student through the process of approaching employers, preparing for an interview, and representing oneself to the employer as a solid worker with the right attitude. The Career Launchpad was designed to acknowledge another reality of the trades: the necessity of presenting one’s best self to employers to stand out in a competitive job market.
CourseCareers Helps Students Understand the Most Efficient Path to Becoming Licensed in the Skilled Trades.
Licenses are issued by state or local governments and require verified work hours and passing an exam. CourseCareers does not replace apprenticeship requirements. Instead, it prepares students with foundational knowledge so they can enter the workforce ready to succeed from day one.
As the current trades workforce ages out of the workforce, the need for young, eager minds to enter the field is increasing. CourseCareers is positioning itself in the middle of this shifting landscape. They are offering a service to individuals who want to gain a better understanding of the trades before setting foot on a work site. For some, this is to gain the confidence to apply to an apprenticeship. For others, it is to quickly learn the terminology of the trade after being hired.
