Our Programs
Trade Career Academy
Trade Career Academy introduces youth and young adults to hands-on trade career pathways through training led by certified tradesmen. The program exposes participants to electrical, carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, and workforce development opportunities that can help them build confidence and consider sustainable career paths.
About This Program
Trade Career Academy is a 12-week program that exposes youth to various trades through hands-on instruction. Each trade cycle is typically four weeks, with different cohorts held throughout the year.
Jacob's Ladder is working to build an employment pipeline through relationships with trade unions, employers, certified contractors, and workforce partners. The program functions as a pre-apprenticeship style exposure program, helping youth understand that trades can become a serious educational and career pathway.
Why This Program Matters
Trades create real opportunities for young people to sustain themselves, support their families, and pursue strong career paths. This program gives youth hands-on exposure to careers they may not have considered before.
WATCH PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Get a quick look at what this program is, who it serves, and why it matters.
Trade Areas
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Electrical
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Carpentry
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HVAC
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Plumbing
Credible Messenger
12-week program with 4-week cycles per trade. Multiple cohorts held throughout the year.
Tool Safety
How to safely handle, use, and care for the tools used in each trade.
Hands-On Trade Skills
Real-world technical instruction from certified professionals in electrical, carpentry, HVAC, and plumbing.
Basic Trade Concepts
Foundational knowledge in each trade area to build confidence and understanding.
Career Exposure
Understanding what a career in the trades looks like, pays, and requires.
Teamwork
How to work professionally alongside others in a trade or construction setting.
Instruction from Certified Contractors
Helping youth build consistent attendance habits as a foundation for academic success.
What Participants Learn
Program Goals
The goal is for youth to leave Trade Career Academy with practical skills, a better understanding of trade careers, and a clear pathway they can pursue — whether through a union, apprenticeship, employer, certification program, or continued training.
Building a Workforce Pathway
Jacob's Ladder is actively building relationships with trade unions, employers, certified contractors, and workforce partners to create a pipeline from program exposure to real employment opportunity.
Trade Career Academy functions as a pre-apprenticeship style program — helping youth gain the exposure, confidence, and direction needed to pursue apprenticeships, certifications, and full trade careers.
Program Moments
Photos from this program will be added here to show participants, activities, events, learning experiences, and community moments connected to this work.
Program Videos
Program new stories, recaps, and participant experiences are added. Check back to see the work in action.
Trade Career Academy Overview
Training in Action
See participants learning electrical, carpentry, HVAC, and plumbing skills from certified tradespeople.
From Exposure to Career
How Trade Career Academy connects youth to real workforce pathways.