For Employers
Need Skilled Workers?
Trades Forward Foundation is a free connection and referral resource for people entering the skilled trades and for employers looking for workers. Tell us who you're looking for.
Employer Message
Need people? Tell us who you're looking for.
Whether you need entry-level workers, apprentices, experienced tradespeople, or people willing to travel, Trades Forward wants to help connect interested candidates with real opportunities.
Trades Forward wants employers to tell us what workers they need so we can help connect interested people with legitimate career and training opportunities — nationwide, in every skilled trade.
There is no placement fee and no charge to participate.
- Participation never requires a financial contribution. We do not ask employers, schools, training providers, apprenticeship programs, or community partners for money in order to participate.
- Trades Forward is not a staffing agency and does not guarantee employment or candidates.
No Cost to Participate
Ways Employers Can Participate
Hire. Refer. Train. Mentor. Speak. Host a Tour. Employers can participate in any of these ways without making a financial contribution.
Hire
Tell us the roles you need filled — entry-level, apprentice, or experienced.
Refer
Accept referrals of interested, motivated people exploring your trade.
Train
Offer on-the-job training, apprenticeships, or certification pathways.
Mentor
Give a new worker someone to ask questions when they're starting out.
Speak
Talk to students or career changers about what the work is really like.
Host a Tour
Open a shop, training center, or appropriate jobsite for a firsthand look.
Tours & Career Exposure
Let People See the Work Firsthand
Trades Forward wants to help young people and career changers experience the trades in person — nothing replaces seeing the work up close.
For minors, appropriate parent/guardian, school, employer, and safety requirements must be followed for any tour, jobsite visit, job shadowing, or mentoring activity.
Participant Assistance
When resources are available, Trades Forward may help individuals overcome practical barriers to entering a skilled trade, including certification or testing costs, work boots, basic PPE, and similar career-start expenses. Assistance depends on available resources and individual need.
Employers may already provide items such as boots, PPE, tools, training, or certifications. Trades Forward assistance is meant to supplement available employer or training-program resources when appropriate. Financial assistance is never guaranteed.
Employer Form
Tell Us Who You're Hiring
Share the roles, trades, and regions you hire for. There is no placement fee and no charge to participate.