CT Publishes Guide to Finding a Career in the Trades

CONNECTICUT — The state Department of Consumer Protection has published a guide for residents interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades.

The 28-page online guide is intended to "promote a more diverse workforce, and support women and historically disadvantaged groups in finding stable employment and higher wages as Connecticut recovers from the economic downturn of the COVID-19 pandemic," according to a news release from the DCP.

The online pamphlet, published on the state's website, was originally created as part of DCP’s contribution to the work of the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls.

"We recognized a need for an accessible and comprehensive resource to encourage a broader group of people to pursue careers in the skilled trades,” DCP Commissioner Michelle Seagull said. "We also heard from women who worked in the trades who said people considering a career in the trades would benefit from basic information necessary to succeed in a skilled trade such as resources to assist with childcare, transportation, and access to appropriate tools and safety clothing. We hope that these resources can help people pursue careers that lead to stable employment and higher wages."

The new guide was written with assistance from the state Department of Labor, the state Department of Education, and current and former tradespeople.

"Building a stronger, more diverse workforce is a crucial part of our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’re committed to continuing to think creatively in partnership with all of our state’s communities to make that goal a reality," Gov. Ned Lamont said.

The guide, "Careers in the Trades," is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Korean, Chinese, and Polish on the state's website.