Education
Best Skilled Trades for Career Changers
Explore skilled trades for career changers, including training requirements, program lengths, work environments and factors to consider before switching careers.
In This Article
Changing careers can feel like a big undertaking, especially if you think starting over means spending years in school. But for those interested in hands-on, technical work, the skilled trades can offer another path.
Many trade school programs can be completed in less time than a traditional four-year degree program, allowing career changers to build practical skills for a new field quicker.
If you’re exploring the best skilled trades for career changers, there are several options to consider. The best fit for you depends on your interests, existing skills, career goals and the type of work environment you prefer. Keep reading to hear about some of these paths and how you can get trained for them.
Key Takeaways
- The best skilled trades for career changers depend on interests, strengths and long-term goals.
- Many skilled trade training programs can be completed in a year or less, depending on the program and school.
- Previous industry experience typically isn’t required to begin training for a skilled trade.
- Skills developed in previous careers, including communication, problem-solving, organization and customer service, can be useful in trades.
- There are financial aid options to explore, including scholarships, loans and grants for those who qualify.10
Why Career Changers Are Turning to Skilled Trades
There are plenty of reasons someone might decide their current career no longer fits. Maybe you’re tired of spending your workday behind a desk. Maybe you want to develop more technical skills. Or maybe your interests have simply changed.
If any of those situations sound familiar, it may be worth exploring the signs it's time for a career change.
Skilled trades cover a broad range of careers centered on technical knowledge and practical skills. For those considering a new direction, one appeal of attending trade school is the training timeline. Trade school provides focused education for a particular industry as opposed to a broader four-year degree program.
There are other reasons why you should consider a skilled trade career, from hands-on work environments to the opportunity to develop specialized skills employers rely on.
If you’ve already decided you’re ready for something different, learn more about how to switch careers to a skilled trade.
The Best Skilled Trades for Career Changers
There isn’t one trade that works best for every career changer. Some people enjoy precision and fabrication, while others prefer troubleshooting sophisticated mechanical or electrical systems.
The following skilled trades for career changers offer several different paths to consider based on your interests and strengths.
Welding
Welders use different processes and equipment to join, cut and shape metal for applications across a variety of industries.
This path may appeal to career changers who enjoy creating tangible results and working with tools and equipment. Attention to detail, patience and the ability to follow specifications can also be valuable.
UTI’s welding trade school teaches four major arc welding processes and helps students develop skills through hands-on training.1 The program can be completed in 9-10 months, depending on the campus.
HVACR
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians work with systems that are important in both residential and commercial environments.
HVACR may be a strong fit for someone who likes diagnosing problems, working in different environments, and combining mechanical and electrical skills.
The HVACR Technician program offered at UTI is 9-10 months long, depending on location.
Automotive
Today’s vehicles combine mechanical systems with sophisticated electronics and computer technology. Automotive technicians diagnose, maintain, and repair systems ranging from engines and transmissions to brakes, electrical systems and advanced vehicle technology.
UTI’s automotive trade school provides hands-on training designed to help students build foundational automotive knowledge and technical skills.18
Electrical
Electrical technician training can be a good fit for career changers interested in how electrical and electronic systems power homes, businesses and industrial environments.
Training can cover areas such as electrical theory, wiring, electronics troubleshooting, industrial robotics and other technologies used in the field.
People who enjoy logical problem-solving, following technical processes and understanding how interconnected systems operate may find this type of training especially appealing.
UTI’s electrical training ranges from 12-19 months, depending on the program.131
Note: UTI’s electrical programs do not prepare graduates for employment as electricians, and graduates will not be eligible for certification as an electrician without additional training and meeting state licensing requirements.
Diesel
Diesel technicians inspect, diagnose, maintain, and repair diesel-powered equipment and vehicles. Depending on the workplace, that could mean working with trucks, transportation fleets or other heavy-duty equipment.
Diesel technology can be appealing to career changers interested in larger equipment and mechanical systems.
For someone who wants a technical career that goes beyond passenger vehicles, diesel technology offers another path to explore. The Diesel program at UTI can be completed in 11-12 months.7
Collision Repair
Collision repair combines technical skill with attention to detail. Technicians can work on damaged vehicles using tools, equipment and repair techniques to help restore their structure and appearance.
Training may include topics such as structural analysis, welding, body repair, refinishing and painting.
This trade can be a fit for detail-oriented career changers who enjoy seeing a project progress from damaged to repaired. Check out the 9-13-month program at UTI.
How Long Does It Take To Retrain as an Adult?
Retraining for a skilled trades career doesn’t necessarily require several years of education.
The exact timeline depends on the field, program and credential you pursue. At UTI, several programs can be completed in a year or less, with all programs under two years.
Other programs have different timelines, so it’s important to compare your options based on both the training required and the career path you want to pursue.
For an adult career changer, program length can be an important consideration. A focused training program can help you build industry-relevant skills without committing to a traditional four-year educational path.
Read: The Best Fast Trade School Programs: Career-Ready in Under 1 Year
Cost, Financial Aid and ROI: Which Trade Offers the Best Value?
The trade offering the best value will be different for every student. Instead of looking at tuition alone, consider program length, potential career opportunities and how well the field aligns with your long-term goals.
Start by comparing the cost of each program and what makes sense for you. It’s also helpful to explore financial aid options you may be eligible for at the school you’re looking into. At UTI, there are several options that can help those who qualify pay for school — like scholarships, loans or grants.10
Then consider what you want from your career. Salary can be part of the equation, but so can job duties, schedule, work environment, advancement opportunities and whether you can see yourself enjoying the field long term.
For career changers, the best value is often the training option that balances manageable education costs and training time with a career path that fits their interests and goals.
Choosing the Best Trade Based on Your Background
You don’t have to find a trade that perfectly matches your previous career. In fact, changing industries is the point. But thinking about the strengths you already have can make it easier to narrow down your options.
- Coming from an office job? Skills like organization, communication, attention to detail and problem-solving can translate well to technical careers. If you enjoy troubleshooting and working with systems, the trades are worth exploring.
- Transitioning from the military? Experience following procedures, working as part of a team, solving problems and operating in structured environments can translate to many skilled trades. Your military experience may also help you identify whether you prefer mechanical, electrical, technical or fabrication-focused work.
- Coming from the service industry? Communication, adaptability, time management and the ability to stay composed while solving problems can be useful in many skilled trade fields, especially where technicians may interact with customers or work in fast-paced environments.
These are just a few examples of how your previous career or experience can benefit you in a skilled trades role. There are many ways your skills can be transferable!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best trade to switch careers into?
There is no single best trade for every career changer. The right choice depends on your interests, strengths, preferred work environment and career goals. Transportation, energy and skilled trades programs are all worth exploring when comparing the best skilled trades for career changers.
Can I switch to a skilled trade with no experience?
Yes. Prior professional experience in a trade isn't always required to begin training. Trade school programs are designed to help students build foundational knowledge and hands-on skills for their chosen field.
How long does it take to retrain for a trade as an adult?
Training time varies by trade and program. Some skilled trade programs can be completed in a year or less, while others may take longer. Consider the specific training requirements for your desired field when planning your career change.
Are skilled trades a good option for career changers over 30 or 40?
Age alone doesn't determine whether a skilled trade is a good career change. Adults in their 30s, 40s and beyond can pursue technical training and build new skills.
What financial aid is available for adult career changers?
Financial aid options can vary based on your eligibility and the school you attend. At UTI, financial aid is available to those who qualify.10 Potential resources may include federal grants and loans, scholarships, and other forms of assistance. Veterans and eligible dependents may also be able to use certain education benefits.20
Start Training for One of the Best Skilled Trades at UTI
Changing careers means starting a new chapter, but it doesn't mean starting from scratch. The experience you’ve already gained can help shape the skills, work environment and career path that make sense for you next.
UTI offers hands-on training in transportation, skilled trades and energy-related fields, with programs designed to help students build practical technical skills.1,18 Whatever you’re interested in, your next career path could start with exploring the training options available to you.
Request information to learn more about what it takes to begin training for a new career.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
Train for the Future
Imagine waking up each day excited to work in a career you’re passionate about – one where your hands-on skills make a real impact. UTI’s vocational trade school can help you gain the skills and confidence to pursue what you love.
