How to Get Started in the Trades With No Experience

Think you need years of experience or a family connection to break into the trades? Think again. Thousands of women are entering the skilled trades every year—many with zero prior experience. Here’s how you can too.

1. Pick the Trade That Matches Your Strengths
   Not every trade is created equal. If you love detail, color, and transformation—painting might be your perfect fit. Prefer working with systems and tools? Consider electrical or HVAC. Want to build from scratch? Carpentry may be your calling.

2. Research Local Apprenticeships or Training Programs
   Look for trade schools or programs that welcome beginners. Some communities even offer grants or stipends to women entering trades, especially for roles in high demand like painting, plumbing, or welding.

3. Reach Out to Female-Owned Trade Businesses
   Many women-led companies love helping other women enter the trades. Even if they’re not hiring, they might offer mentorship, job shadowing, or advice on how to break in.

4. Start Learning Online
   Platforms like YouTube, Skillshare, or even community education sites can help you get a feel for painting techniques, safety, tool usage, and more. Self-taught doesn’t mean unqualified—every pro was once a beginner.

5. Build a Portfolio as You Learn
   Especially in trades like painting, you can show your work as you grow. Before-and-after shots, practice projects on friends' or family spaces, and even mockups can give you a head start.

Final Thoughts
You don’t have to be an expert to begin. The trades are one of the few fields where grit, interest, and willingness to learn matter more than credentials.

Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you're just exploring the trades or already dreaming of your own painting business, we’re here to help you build it. Click the button below to join our network where you can get access to tools, resources, and opportunities made for women in the industry. Your next move starts there.