At its most simplified, a “skilled trade” is an
occupation that requires a specialized skill
or ability. Though the skilled trades are often
equated with physically demanding manual
labor, or with “blue collar” work, they are
actually broader in definition than many people
realize. In this chapter, we will explore the many
jobs and industries that form the framework
of the skilled trades as a broad workforce
classification.
There is some disagreement in the industry
about how many “categories” of skilled trades
there are. For our purposes, we will divide the
skilled trades into six categories: construction
trades, manufacturing and industrial trades,
transportation trades, energy trades, agricul-
ture, and skilled service trades.
Construction
Trades
It’s under the umbrella of construction trades
that many of the jobs most often associated
CHAPTER 1
DEFINING
THE SKILLED
TRADES