We built this site because students and young adults deserve a clear, funded path into the skilled trades, starting before graduation. Most never hear that one exists.
YouthSkilledTrades.com helps students and young adults ages 16 to 24 find a trade program, then find the money to pay for it. Everything on the site is free for the person looking.
Charles Switzer runs YouthSkilledTrades.com and its sister site, backed by a team of nine employees and support staff. Charles handles partnerships and sponsors. The team handles listings, data updates, and support for the schools, employers, and organizations that work with us.
Need help with a listing, a job posting, or a partnership? Someone on the team answers every message, usually within one business day.
Questions, corrections, or partnership ideas go to info@adultskilledtrades.com.
Both sites are free for students, parents, and teachers. Revenue comes from sponsors and from schools, employers, and organizations that choose a paid listing tier. A free listing tier exists too, and free listings show up in every search.
Sponsors and paid listings are labeled as such. They never change which programs the tools recommend. See Sponsorship and Our Sponsors.
Three organizations backed the sites at launch and helped shape what they cover.
Search thousands of trade training programs, community colleges, and apprenticeship sponsors by trade, location, and funding type. Filter for WIOA-approved, Pell-eligible, GI Bill-eligible, and free programs.
We break down WIOA eligibility, Workforce Pell Grants, GI Bill benefits, and 12+ federal programs in plain language. Most adults qualify for funding they don't know about.
Real wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 10 trades across all 50 states. See what you can earn before you commit to a program.
Real-time job openings from Adzuna, USAJobs, and Apprenticeship.gov. Filter by trade, location, and type. Verified employer listings highlighted for credibility.
905 community colleges and growing. Workforce boards, trade schools, apprenticeship sponsors, and employers can list programs free, paid plans for enhanced visibility.
Our AI career advisor answers questions about WIOA eligibility, apprenticeship pay, trade comparisons, and how to get started, available 24/7, no appointment needed.
Juniors and seniors (16 to 18) exploring high-paying careers that don't require a four-year degree.
Out of high school and ready to start earning while they train, without taking on student debt.
Parents who want an honest, sourced look at where the trades can lead, and how to pay for training.
Teachers and school counselors guiding students toward strong paths after graduation.
Students who want to earn while they learn through registered apprenticeships after high school.
High schools, CTE programs, community colleges, and apprenticeships that want to reach motivated young people.
YouthSkilledTrades.com serves ages 16 to 24: high school students, recent graduates, and young adults starting out. Its sister site, AdultSkilledTrades.com, serves adults 25 and older who are changing careers or leaving the military.
Together the two sites cover the full pipeline, from a 16-year-old discovering the trades to a 45-year-old changing careers. Free for every student and job seeker on both.
Free for every adult. Search programs, check funding, and apply, all in one place.
Search programs now → Contact us