Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
Multi-trade apprenticeship training
Our Initiatives
Apprenticeships:Where Careers in the Trades Really Begin
An apprenticeship isn't a stepping stone, it's a launchpad. It's the proven path that turns curiosity about the trades into a paycheck, a skill set, and a future. At Hiring Trades People, we champion apprenticeship opportunities across Greater Richmond because they work: real training, real mentorship, and real earning potential, all at the same time.
Every Level. Every Trade. Every Future.
Why It Matters
Why Apprenticeships Matter
The skilled trades built the region we live in, and they'll keep building it, but only if the next generation of tradespeople gets the training to step up. Apprenticeships close that gap. They give people a structured way to learn a trade without racking up debt, while earning income from day one.
For Job Seekers, That means:
- Paid, hands-on experience from the very start
- Classroom instruction that builds directly on real job-site work
- A mentor-guided path instead of a guessing game
- A credentialed trade skill with staying power, one that can't be automated or outsourced
For the Richmond community, it means a stronger, more resilient workforce ready to fill the roles that keep homes running, businesses building, and infrastructure growing.
Every Level. Every Trade. Every Future.
The Pathway
How Apprenticeship Programs Work
While details vary by trade and employer, most apprenticeship pathways in our network follow a similar rhythm:
1
On-the-job training
With experienced technicians and tradespeople, so skills are built in real working conditions.
2
Structured classroom instruction
Typically one to two evenings a week, through accredited trade schools and associations, with some day program options.
3
Progress-based pay increases
Tied to coursework performance and skill milestones.
4
Tuition support
Many employer partners provide in part or in full for apprentices who stay on track.
5
A defined timeline
Usually running several years, ending with a portable, recognized trade credential.
It's a model built on a simple idea: people learn best by doing, and they stay motivated when the investment in their growth is visible and real.
Our Network
Schools and Training Programs We Support
Hiring Trades People works alongside a network of respected trade schools, associations, and public education programs that make apprenticeship pathways possible across the region, including:
Central Virginia Electrical Contractors Association (CVECA)
Electrical trade apprenticeships
Chesterfield Technical Center
HVAC and plumbing programs
Richmond Technical Center
Multi-trade training programs
Henrico County Public Schools Career & Technical Education
Work-based learning and early apprenticeship exposure for high school students
Hanover County Public Schools Career & Technical Education
Work-based learning and early apprenticeship exposure for high school students
Chesterfield County Public Schools Career & Technical Education
Work-based learning and early apprenticeship exposure for high school students
Employer Partners
How Employer Partners Support Apprentices
Employers across our network back apprenticeships with more than just a paycheck. This kind of investment turns a first job into a long-term career — and it's a big part of why apprenticeship graduates tend to stay in the trades, and stay with the employers who trained them. Many offer:
Full or partial tuition coverage tied to academic performance
Apprentices who keep up with their coursework can finish training without taking on debt.
Paid summer internships for current students exploring the trades
Students can try a trade over the summer and get paid while they do it.
Clear, structured pay progression as skills and coursework advance
Raises are tied to milestones you can see coming, not a once-a-year review.
Mentorship from licensed, experienced tradespeople
Every apprentice works alongside someone who has already done the job for years.
A defined path from apprentice to journeyman to leadership roles
The next step is mapped out from the start, including what it takes to get there.
Who It's For
Who Apprenticeships Are For
Apprenticeships aren't just for high school grads weighing their options, though they're a great fit for that. They're also for:
Career changers looking for stable, hands-on work with real growth potential
Veterans transitioning into civilian careers
Adults re-entering the workforce who want training instead of guesswork
Anyone who'd rather build a skill than sit through a lecture
No matter where someone is starting from, there's a trade, a school, and an employer partner ready to help them take the next step.
Get Started
Start Building Your Future in the Trades
Whether you're a student exploring your options, a career changer ready for something new, or simply curious about what the trades have to offer, apprenticeship is one of the clearest paths to a stable, well-paid, hands-on career.