Skilled Trades Career Path

Jr. High Students talking to engineering company at Career Fair (1)

The building trades and transportation pathway takes students’ desire to use their hands in their work and prepares them for a rewarding career in a number of in-demand fields. You could channel your passions for cars and trucks to become an auto mechanic or collision specialist. You could master the skills to design, build, and finish structures like houses and office buildings. Other options that are part of this pathway include maintaining and repairing power equipment as an electrician, becoming an HVAC specialist, or working in building maintenance.

  • Carpenter
  • Electrician 
  • HVAC & Plumbing 
  • Sheet Metal Worker 
  • Welder 
  • Diesel/Automotive Technician
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Construction Management

  • CAD Drafting (Grades 9-12)
  • Auto I (Grades 10-12, Industry Recognized Credential Available)
  • Auto II (Grades 10-12, Industry Recognized Credential Available)
  • Welding Process (Grades 10-12)
  • Advanced Welding Process & Design (Grades 10-12)
  • Introduction to Apprenticeship (Grades 10-12, Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Course)
  • Woodworking (Grades 10-12)
  • Advanced Woodworking (Grades 10-12, Industry Recognized Credential Available)
  • Construction Technology (Grades 11-12, Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Course, Industry Recognized Credential Available)
  • Architectural Drafting (Grades 10-12)
  • Engineering Drafting (Grades 10-12)
  • Electronics/Residential Wiring (Grades 10-12, Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Course)
  • Plumbing & HVAC (Grades 11-12, Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Course)
  • Metalworking Process (Grades 10-12)
  • Advanced Metalworking (Grades 10-12, Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Course, Industry Recognized Credential Available)
  • Registered Apprenticeship (Grades 11-12, Industry Recognized Credential Available)
  • Exploring Math in the Trades

Example Four-Year Plan

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
Math 2 Math Credits 2 Math Credits 2 Math Credits Exploring Math in the Trades
Science 2 Science Credits 2 Science Credits 2 Science Credits
Language Arts 2 Language Arts Credits 2 Language Arts Credits 2 Language Arts Credits 2 Language Arts Credits
Social Studies 2 Social Studies Credits 2 Social Studies Credits 1 Social Studies Credit 1 Social Studies Credit
Electives CAD Drafting

Auto I

Career Pathway Electives

 Auto II

Career Pathway Electives

Welding Process

 Advanced Welding Process & Design

Career Pathway Electives

Construction Technology

 Career Pathway Electives

Plumbing & HVAC

Registered Apprenticeship
Graduation Requirements:

  • Physical Education (four years)
  • Health – 9th Grade
  • 1 Fine Arts Class
  • Personal Finance
  • Government
  • Economics
Suggested Clubs/Activities:

  • Skills USA
  • Robotics Club

View More Career Planning Resources

Explore the full list of career pathways and course guides, view resources for post-secondary testing and apprenticeships, and more on SEP’s college and career readiness homepage.

View the Complete Registration Guide

View the full SEP course registration guide to view all courses and descriptions along with curriculum requirements. Students can log in to their course plan to request the courses they plan to take throughout high school.

Download Registration Guide
Log In to Course Plan