Man in a checkered shirt expertly uses a hacksaw to cut a pipe, smiling confidently at the camera. His precision rivals that of a grinder. Meanwhile, another person busies themselves at a desk in the background.

Everything You Need to Know
to GET EMPLOYED

Home / Career Services

Go from training to employed without missing a beat

Get the support—and connections—you need to start building your future
Looking for a job, especially in a new field, can feel like a full-time job. That’s why the School of Skilled Trades doesn’t just teach you the skills you need to do the job. We also help you get the job—one that pays well and gives you the chance to grow.
Once you finish your training at the School of 
Skilled Trades, you’ll be on the path to:
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsA strong, stable career
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsOpportunities for advancement
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsStarting your own business 

 How we help you get there

At the School of Skilled Trades, we’ve built job-placement support directly into our training program. Although we can’t guarantee you a job, we give you the resources you need to start earning as soon as possible after you graduate. 
Two men in blue work uniforms discussing papers at a desk, with binders and office supplies in the background.
resume

One-on-one resume
development and review

The School leadership team has seen hundreds of resumes in their careers. We know how to help you create a resume that gets noticed.
interview

Interview coaching

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but the right support and preparation from the School of Skilled Trades make them easier. We’ll help you practice giving clear, professional answers that highlight your strengths and win the job offer.
A man works on a laptop at a desk, facing a person in a hard hat and safety vest. Amidst shelves holding machine parts, their discussion subtly incorporates interview coaching tips, bridging industrial knowledge with essential conversational skills.
Connections to hiring employers
connections

Local connections that work for you

We’re not a franchise. We’re a local, independent school with roots in the Triangle. That gives us the freedom to work directly with HVAC and plumbing companies in our area, so we can introduce you to local employers looking to hire entry-level techs.
campus

Career fairs and other opportunities

Employers with open roles may visit our campus to meet with you and may even interview you on the spot. You’ll also get notified about off-campus career fairs in the area. 
People standing and talking in a hallway, some holding papers and wearing casual clothing, as if at a vibrant career fair. The area appears to be busy, with various individuals engaged in conversation.
Person in a blue shirt discusses architectural plans displayed on a laptop screen with another individual.
profesional development

Professional development workshops

Companies visit the School of Skilled Trades to teach workshops about the trades, helping you make informed career decisions and meet potential employers.
support

Lifetime support

No matter when you graduate, you’ll always have access to job referrals and resume consultations, at no additional cost to you.
Two men in plaid shirts are examining plumbing fixtures in a white tiled room. The plumber holds a valve, explaining its role in fitting central heating, while the apprentice listens attentively.

Meet your future career 

With training from the School of Skilled Trades, you can start earning quickly and keep advancing

Right after graduation, 
start working as a

School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsPlumber or HVAC Technician Helper
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsPlumbing or HVAC Technician Apprentice

With additional training 
and experience, become a

School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsConstruction Personnel Manager
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsEstimator
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsLicensed
Technician

With advanced training 
and experience, become a

School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsSupervisor
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsPlumbing or HVAC Inspector
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsSmall Business Owner/Entrepreneur
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsLicensed Contractor
After graduation, you could earn $19-$22* an hour or more to start. Over the next decade, there will be more than 42,000 job openings for plumbers and 40,600 for HVAC techs in the U.S. There are nearly 1,390 openings in North Carolina alone for plumbers and 1,400 for HVAC techs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The growing demand for plumbers and HVAC techs allows you to make even more. What could you do with that money?
*Source: SkilledWages.com for Trades pay in Raleigh using BLS data. [Accessed October 2026]
Source: O*Net Online HVAC & O*Net Plumbing [Accessed October 2026]
*Source: North Carolina Employment Trends HVAC & North Carolina Employment Trends Plumbing [Accessed October 2026]
Pipes
You’ll be ready to work for a wide range of organizations

As a graduate of our Plumbing Technician or HVAC program, you can apply your skills in many ways, from helping to repair and build homes and offices to ensuring everyone has access to safe, clean water.

Plumbing

Plumbing
and/or HVAC contractors

connections

Plumbing and HVAC supply companies

water tap

Water 

utilities

embassy

Government
agencies

labor day

Property 

managers

You won’t have to worry about AI or outsourcing

Automation, AI, and outsourcing are changing jobs around the world, but they’re not reducing demand for workers in the skilled trades. As a trained HVAC tech or plumber, you’ll have highly specialized skills that are difficult to automate, and customers will need you on-site.

You’ll lay the foundation for small business ownership

If you dream of becoming your own boss, training in plumbing or HVAC is the perfect starting point. Many experienced plumbers or HVAC techs ultimately start their own businesses, creating an asset they can grow, pass down, or sell. 

Two smiling workers in overalls stand by an open van filled with tools and equipment. They are outdoors on a sunny day.
A man in blue overalls and gloves installs a kitchen faucet. Tools are on the counter beside him.

We’re here to help you fulfill 
your potential

It is possible to build the life you want for yourself and your family. You just need the right skills and the right support. With a high-paying, stable career, you can:

School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsSleep peacefully, knowing your bills can get paid
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsCover unexpected expenses without worry
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsTreat your family to a dinner out
School of Skilled Trades blue gear bullet pointsHave more time to spend with the people you love

We’ve designed our training program and our job-placement services to help you achieve these goals—and more—sooner than you thought possible.

Request Info

Interested in HVAC or plumbing training? Request information, and our Admissions team will help you explore your next steps.

The School of Skilled Trades is a non-profit school, meaning we invest in helping you learn, not in making a profit. We’re licensed by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges, so you learn valuable skills from qualified instructors with years of field experience.