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but who maybe don’t want to pursue a full four-year degree, the
skilled trades can be an ideal path to consider. Education and
training requirements vary depending on the skilled trade but do
not always require a four-year college degree. Here is a brief outline
of the educational pathways that students might expect if they
decide to pursue a career in the skilled trades:
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Career and Technical Education (CTE): Often, skilled trades
education can begin in earnest during the high school years.
Many public school districts have some type of career-
tech center available to serve students who are interested
in skilled trades careers. According to Advance CTE—the
national nonprofit that seeks to advance secondary,
postsecondary, and adult career and technical education
opportunities across the United States—there are currently
12.3 million students enrolled in CTE programs nationwide,
many of whom are studying in career-tech centers at the