Questions & answers

Getting into the trades in Texas: licenses, apprenticeships, pay and unions. Answers link to the official rules.

Have a question about getting in or getting paid? Ask it. Our team answers.

Getting into a trade

Trade school, community college, or straight to work?Answered by SkillsTradeJobs team1 answer

Unions

What are Book 1 and Book 2 on an IBEW out-of-work list?Answered by SkillsTradeJobs team1 answer
Do I have to join the union to work a union job in Texas?Answered by SkillsTradeJobs team1 answer
Union or non-union apprenticeship: which is better for a first-year?Answered by SkillsTradeJobs team1 answer

Apprenticeships

Licenses and exams

Other

How it works

Our team answers, with links to the official pages, and unions, schools and employers can answer under their own name. Questions from members go up right away; a few are checked first. Use 👍 and 👎 to say what helped, and ⚑ Report for anything that breaks the rules.

The rules

Ask about work in the trades: getting in, apprenticeships, licenses, pay, unions. Beginners welcome.
Talking about pay is welcome. Sharing what you earn is legal and protected.
No job offers, recruiting or "message me". Jobs go on the job board.
No asking for or offering money, fees or payment details, and no phone numbers, emails, links or outside chat apps.
Stick to facts you saw yourself. No accusing people of crimes and no one's personal details.
No harassment, slurs, sexual content, or "no women", "under 40" or similar preferences.
You must be 18 or older to ask.
English or Spanish.

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