10 ways to enter the trades in Atlanta with NO student debt
If you’re here from Instagram, welcome in!
Here’s the tea on the ten free training programs I mentioned—and live links so you can find them. Most of these are not only free but also PAID. You’ll learn valuable skills while also working in the field. There’s no need for a college degree for any of these. And you’ll be at low risk of replacement by AI any time soon for most of these. (The first to go might be the CDL truck driver, but that’s a discussion for another day!) The fact is apprenticeship is not dead in America—it’s actually alive and well, especially here in Atlanta. And I’m out here trying to get the word out.
Whether you’re actively job-seeking, looking to pivot roles, or just beginning to think about what you’d like to do when you graduate high school, these apprenticeships are a great place to explore. I chose a range of fields including plumbing, electric, cosmetology, welding, HVAC and trucking, but this is not an exhaustive list of opportunities in our area. You could probably find 100 more programs like this in Georgia and across the nation, but please don’t get lost in analyzing options—start making calls and reaching out. Real action is where it’s at in the job search. And one of the great things about programs like these is they create a path to employment. You don’t just shoot a resume into the void of the internet or pay $500 for a class that leads nowhere. These training programs hook you up with jobs while you’re training.
These links are just leads and not meant to be endorsements. You’ll need to do your own research to ensure these are a fit for you.
Electrical apprenticeship program at The Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association
Apprenticeship program at Capital City Electrical Services, LLC.
Electrical apprenticeship program at IBEW Local 163.
Plumb Works Inc. Plumbing Apprentice Program
Apprenticeship Training Program at the Mechanical Trades Institute(applications open 2x a year)
Apprenticeship in Cosmetology at Salon Disegno
On-the-Job Carpentry Apprenticeship at Southern District Training Trust Fund
Free Training in Welding (and loads of other trades!) at Good Will of North Georgia
Paid Training toward your Commercial Driver’s License at Roehl Transport
If you’re feeling stuck about your next move, please reach out! You are just a few steps away from a clearer path toward purpose and financial stability.