Lester Burkes
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How to Pay for Trade School in 2026: Grants, Apprenticeships and Other Ways to Train Without Debt
Pell Grants, the new Workforce Pell, paid apprenticeships, the GI Bill and Washington State grants: every way to pay for trade school, from a…
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DEWALT Is Investing $60 Million in Skilled Trades: Here’s Where I Think It Can Make the Biggest Difference
For a long time in America, we treated the skilled trades like a second choice. Go to college. Get an education. Don’t end up…
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Can Lowe’s Help Train 1 Million Skilled Trades Workers?
When I began this blog, I just wanted to write about skilled trades and help people better understand the opportunities available to them in…
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Should I Go to Trade School or College? A College Dean’s Perspective
From a Former Diesel Teacher, Current College Dean, and Army Veteran’s Perspective There are no easy choices or foolproof plans, and that has never…
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Top 26 Skilled Trades to Get Into for 2026
The skilled trades are experiencing unprecedented growth in 2026, with over 450,000 new positions expected across key industries. Whether you’re seeking job stability, high…
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How to Become an HVAC Technician in Oregon (2026 Guide)
How to become an HVAC technician in Oregon: choosing a program, licensing, and pay across Portland, Salem, Bend, Eugene and Medford.
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How to Become an Electrician in Oregon (2026 Guide)
How to become an electrician in Oregon, step by step: entry requirements, the 8,000-hour paid apprenticeship, and the journeyman exam and license.
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What Is Pile Driving? How to Become a Pile Driver
Pile drivers build the foundations under bridges, docks and high-rises. What the work is like, what it pays, and how to get into the…
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What a Blue Collar Job is NOT!
Summary Blue collar work is often misunderstood, and the stereotypes surrounding it are far from reality. In this candid reflection, a former diesel mechanic,…
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Best Electrician Training Programs in Washington State (2026)
A technical college dean on how to judge an electrical training program in Washington, plus the main school and apprenticeship options.
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