Translating Military Skills into Skilled Trades
Nashville’s booming economy is creating steady opportunities in skilled trade industries, which value veterans’ hands-on experience and work ethic. A variety of apprenticeship programs, available both during and after military service, offer a direct path for veterans to apply their skills and gain the certifications needed to transition into stable, well-paying careers.
What Is an Apprenticeship?
Industries have relied on apprenticeships for decades to find, train, and keep skilled workers. An apprenticeship combines supervised on-the-job training with job-related education, allowing participants to earn a wage that increases as they progress through the program.
Although apprenticeships are sometimes mistakenly confused with internships, there are key differences between the two. Internships usually span only a few months and are often unpaid, providing general work experience without a structured training component. In contrast, apprenticeships are designed to help individuals master specific skills that employers require, typically lasting from one to five years (depending on the job type).
Upon successful completion, apprentices attain journeyman or master-level status in their field, frequently leading to full-time employment with their sponsoring employer. Apprenticeships are structured to lead to long-term employment and offer a clear pathway to rewarding careers across many skilled trades.
Why Veterans Should Consider Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship programs in skilled trades are a natural fit for military members transitioning into civilian trade careers because they draw on the training many have received during their service. Veterans also bring essential soft skills, such as teamwork, leadership, strong work ethic, and attention to detail, which are highly valued in these fields. There are many benefits of pursuing an apprenticeship in skilled trades in Nashville’s hot job market:
- Job Security: Nashville’s continuous growth constantly puts skilled trades in high demand. Additionally, trades are less vulnerable to automation and outsourcing, ensuring job security for veterans entering these fields.
- Opportunities for Growth: Skilled trades offer a clear career ladder, with positions that allow veterans to apply skills from the military while continuously building new ones.
- Quick Employment Path: Many veterans complete apprenticeships before separating, and if not, quite a few trade careers require only short training or certification. Either way, veterans who desire trade jobs can enter the workforce relatively quickly.
- Career Choice: Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of fields, extending beyond the traditional trades (like construction and manufacturing) to health care, culinary arts, information technology, law enforcement, firefighting, and even emerging sectors like renewable energy and cybersecurity.
- Earn While You Learn: Unlike with traditional education, apprentices earn a paycheck during their training, allowing them to gain financial independence while acquiring skills. Once completed, many trade professions offer salaries exceeding traditional four-year degree jobs.
Opportunities for Veterans Transitioning to Skilled Trades
Many military members participate in apprenticeship programs while still serving, gaining vocational training and civilian credentials through the Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) program. Each branch—Army, Navy, Air Force/Space Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard—has developed its own COOL program tailored to align military occupations with civilian credentials, including certifications, licenses, and apprenticeships. Participating in this program before separation makes transitioning into civilian skilled trades careers much easier.
However, veterans who didn’t participate in COOL or wish to pursue a different role from when they served, still have other options to consider. Many civilian apprenticeship programs welcome applicants with little or no prior experience or certifications. Some do have specific prerequisites, so it’s essential for veterans to research the requirements for each program and prepare accordingly.
For those interested in vocational training, schools can also provide targeted education. For instance, Lincoln Tech in Nashville offers training in automotive technology, collision repair, diesel technology, heavy equipment, and welding technology. These programs can complement apprenticeships or serve as standalone options for veterans looking to develop specialized skills. Additionally, many employers actively recruit veterans and offer additional support, such as tuition assistance, scholarships, or financial aid in exchange for work commitments.
Where to Find Apprenticeship Opportunities in Nashville
Nashville offers a range of resources for veterans interested in skilled trades apprenticeships, where they can identify programs that align with their skills, career goals, and schedules.
1. Apprenticeship Tennessee
Apprenticeship TN is a statewide initiative led by the Tennessee Workforce Development System (TWDS) to increase awareness of apprenticeship opportunities for employers and workers in the state of Tennessee. The website features a searchable database for exploring available apprenticeships across various industries and also offers educational resources, including podcasts.
2. Trade Union Apprenticeships
Some unions have established apprenticeship programs that include hands-on training, mentorship, and job placement assistance.
- Nashville Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NEJATC) offers a structured pathway to becoming a licensed electrician.
- Local unions affiliated with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABCTN) of Greater Tennessee offer apprenticeships in trades such as HVAC, carpentry, electrical, welding, industrial maintenance, and plumbing.
3. Helmets to Hardhats
Helmets to Hardhats is a national organization that connects active-duty service members, National Guard, Reservists, and veterans with union-sponsored apprenticeships in the construction industry. This program provides veterans with resources, training, and access to a broad network of trade union apprenticeships in the Nashville area.
4. Apprenti Tennessee
Apprenti Tennessee is an innovative tech apprenticeship program run by the Nashville Technology Council (NTC) and its foundation. It serves as the first registered technology apprenticeship program in the Southeast. The program screens candidates for tech aptitude and then provides 3-6 months of intensive training, covering the costs of this training for participants. After the initial training, apprentices gain real-world experience through placements with hiring partners, many of which are local companies committed to expanding the region’s tech talent.
For veterans in Nashville interested in transitioning to a skilled trade, apprenticeship programs provide a valuable route. Nashville’s unique combination of industry growth, veteran support, and apprenticeship options makes it an ideal place for veterans to establish fulfilling careers that apply the strengths and values gained through military service.
