Choose Your Trade

This job involves building, repairing, and maintaining stationary steam boilers and their parts, including lining up the structures and plates that form the boiler frame. You'll also inspect and fix boiler fittings, oversee cleaning to meet safety standards, and help test boilers to make sure they're ready to run. Boilermakers Local 26 trains workers across Georgia to handle these exact tasks, giving them the skills needed to succeed in this trade. With manufacturing and energy industries across the state relying on steam power, boilermakers stay in demand. If you like hands-on work and solving problems, this trade could be worth exploring.

Bricklayers build and repair walls, walkways, and other structures using bricks and stones, measuring and aligning each one carefully to create solid, long-lasting buildings. The job also includes inspecting brickwork for cracks or damage, making repairs, keeping the worksite clean, and helping test structures to ensure they're safe and stable. With Georgia's cities growing fast, skilled bricklayers stay in high demand, and organizations like BAC Local 8 Southeast help connect workers with the training and opportunities needed to succeed in this trade. If you want hands-on work with results you can see for years to come, this trade is worth a look.

Carpenters use wood and other materials to construct houses, furniture, and buildings, reading blueprints, cutting materials to size, and using hand and power tools to bring projects to life. With Georgia's construction industry booming, skilled carpenters are always in demand. Many get started through union apprenticeships with organizations like the Southeastern Carpenters Regional Council (SECRC), gaining real experience while earning a paycheck. The SECRC trains workers across the region and connects them with steady job opportunities in the trade. If you want a hands-on career with steady work and real craftsmanship, carpentry is worth checking out.

Every time someone rides an elevator or steps onto an escalator, they're relying on the work of an elevator constructor. This trade involves assembling, installing, repairing, and maintaining electric and hydraulic elevators, escalators, and dumbwaiters, combining mechanical skill with electrical know-how. With demand for skilled elevator mechanics on the rise, there's never been a better time to break into this field. The best way in is through a union apprenticeship with the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local 32. Apprentices earn while they learn, training under experienced mechanics and studying electrical systems, hydraulics, and safety codes. If you want strong pay, union benefits, and a hands-on trade with real job security, this path is worth exploring.

Insulators install materials that keep heat where it belongs in pipes, duct work, and mechanical systems, helping control temperature throughout a building. This keeps buildings comfortable and energy efficient, especially important in Georgia's hot summers and cold snaps. Georgia offers strong union apprenticeship opportunities for this trade through the International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, including Insulators Local 48 and Local 96, letting you earn while you learn and train hands-on with experienced professionals. If you want steady work, good pay, and a trade that keeps buildings running right, insulation work is worth a look.

Every skyscraper, warehouse, and stadium starts with a steel frame, and that's where ironworkers come in. They assemble iron and steel girders, columns, and other structural pieces to build the frameworks of entire structures. Georgia needs skilled ironworkers now more than ever. Many get their start through Ironworkers Local 387 and Local 709, earning a paycheck while training on real job sites under experienced professionals.If you like hands-on work, don't mind heights, and want to see your work rise right in front of you, ironworking could be the trade for you.

Construction work means hands-on labor and using a wide range of tools, from air hammers and cement mixers to surveying equipment. You'll assist skilled tradespeople, dig trenches, set braces, erect scaffolding, and keep job sites clean and organized. With Georgia's construction boom, demand for workers keeps growing. Apprenticeships through LiUNA Local 515 let you earn while you learn, gaining real skills on the job without the debt of a four-year degree. If you like working outdoors, staying active, and building something real, construction could be your path into a stable, well-paying trade.

Millwrights build, fix, and maintain heavy machinery and equipment, including stationary steam boilers and their parts. They make sure structures and plates are properly aligned for boiler frames, inspect and repair boiler fittings, oversee cleaning, and help test vessels to keep everything running safely and efficiently. Millwright Local 1263 offers real training and apprenticeship paths for millwrights in Georgia, giving you the chance to learn from experienced professionals while earning a paycheck. If you want hands-on work that keeps plants and facilities running strong, millwright work through Millwright Local 1263 is a solid trade to explore.

Heavy equipment operators work with some of the biggest machines on a job site, including motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, and front-end loaders. These machines handle excavating, grading, erecting structures, and pouring concrete or pavement. With construction booming across Georgia, skilled operators are always in demand. IUOE Local 926 and Local 474 offer apprenticeships that train you on machine controls, blueprint reading, and job site safety, all while you earn a paycheck. If you want a career where you can see your work take shape, from new highways to entire neighborhoods, equipment operating could be the trade for you.

Professional painters play a key role in keeping equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structures looking good and lasting longer. With construction booming across Georgia, skilled painters are in high demand. IUPAT DC 77, the Painters and Allied Trades District Council 77, offers apprenticeships throughout the state, giving you the chance to learn from experienced painters while earning a paycheck. If you want hands-on work with results you can see right away, painting could be a great trade to explore.

Cement masons and plasterers construct stone structures like piers, walls, and abutments, install pathways and curbstones, and apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, and stucco, sometimes including detailed ornamental work. With construction booming across Georgia, OPCMIA Local 148 offers apprenticeships where you train under experienced professionals while earning a paycheck, no four-year degree required.If you want hands-on work that leaves something built to last for generations, plastering or cement masonry could be the trade for you.

Roofers install shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, and other materials on building roofs, and apply sprays to seal, insulate, or soundproof roofs, siding, and walls. With Georgia's growing construction industry and frequent storms, skilled roofers stay in demand across the state. The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 136 offers apprenticeships where you earn while you learn, training alongside experienced roofers.If you like hands-on outdoor work and want a trade with steady demand, roofing could be the path for you.

Sheet metal workers create, assemble, install, and repair products like ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. The job involves operating machines to cut, bend, and shape metal, using soldering and welding to join parts, and smoothing seams for a clean finish. With construction booming across Georgia, demand for skilled sheet metal workers keeps growing. Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 85, serving Atlanta and much of the state, offers apprenticeships where you earn a paycheck while training on the job.If you want hands-on work with solid pay, benefits, and no student debt, sheet metal work is worth a look.