Skilled Trades Training and Job Opportunities
Local Career and Training Opportunities in the Skilled Trades and Green Economy
Skilled trades are occupations that require a special skill, knowledge or ability which can be obtained at a college, technical school or through specialized training. This can include electricians, welders, plumbers, carpenters, emergency technicians and more.
Strengthening Our Talent Pool
The City of Santa Cruz participates in a workforce development initiative comprised of the agencies below from across the County who work together to build a diverse and qualified local talent pool in the skilled trades. The goal of the group is to share information and discuss opportunities to collaborate on workforce and talent development initiatives in construction, skilled trades, and green economy workers in our communities. If you are interested in participating, please contact Workforce Development Program Manager: bperman@santacruzca.gov. Below are several initiatives the group has planned and launched.
Participating Agencies
City of Santa Cruz; County of Santa Cruz; Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board; Santa Cruz County Office of Education; Cabrillo College; Santa Cruz Homeless Garden Project; City of Watsonville; Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center; Your Future is our Business, County of Monterey, Ecology Action.
Upcoming Events
Santa Cruz Trades Day 2025-Thursday, October 9, 2025 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
The fourth annual Trades Day event will be held on October 9, 2025 at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Trades Day introduces high school students to educational and career opportunities in the skilled trades and green economy. Last year over 25 exhibitors participated offering hands-on activities to approximately 600 students from 25 schools. A wide range of industries including construction, HVAC, carpentry, solar and agencies throughout Santa Cruz County showcased at the event. City departments participating last year included the Water Department, Fleet, Building & Safety, Fire, Police, Parks and Recreation, and Resource Recovery. This program is sponsored by Construction Industry Education Foundation, and Your Future is Our Business.
Past Events
2025 Events
Santa Cruz County Skilled Trades Job Fair - March 19 2025
The Cities of Santa Cruz and Watsonville co-hosted a Skilled Trades Job Fair on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room. Over 350 participants attended the event from Watsonville, Santa Cruz, San Jose, San Francisco and beyond. The job fair was open to those 18+ seeking jobs, training and/or career opportunities in the skilled trades. Attendees had the opportunity to meet 21 exhibitors with jobs in construction, utilities, HVAC, carpentry, landscaping, manufacturing, and government agencies and learn about training opportunities, classes, apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeship programs. On-site resume review and translation services were available.
Participating Job Fair Employers and Skilled Trades Educational/Training Providers
Short-Term Training and Certificates
Cabrillo College Building Trades and Construction Short-Term Training
The Construction & Energy Management Program at Cabrillo College offers diverse career paths across various skilled trades and green economy industries including the following: Click here for registration dates & deadlines
- Construction Pathway: Provides education and training for both technical and managerial skill sets. Students can pursue trades or management roles in construction occupations such as carpenter, plumber, electrician, and HVAC.
- Energy Pathway: Covers sustainable construction, including building science, passive systems, solar technology, and high-performance mechanical systems. Prepares energy professionals for roles such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Building Performance Institute (BPI), Home Energy Rating System (HERS), and building performance contractor.
- Management Track: Designed for construction and energy students aiming for administrative occupations such as estimator, planner, scheduler, and project manager.
- Building Inspection Pathway: Provides a foundation to secure entry-level positions that can lead to becoming a building inspector, including roles like plans examiner, permit technician, code compliance, and contractor consultant.
- HVAC Pathway (new!): Focuses on cutting-edge heat-pump technology and hybrid water-heating systems. More HVAC pathways Coming soon!
Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
Santa Cruz County Office of Education Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship
Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program Flyer
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is proud to offer a career pathway into the Building Trades sector. This 10-week, no-cost program is an intensive, hands-on program designed to prepare adult students for entry into a fulfilling career that includes great growth potential. The program's winter cohort will begin interviewing in mid-January for a late January early February start date. LEARN MORE AND APPLY TODAY.