Skilled Trades for Students | 3M Safety & Industrial

“I can do what I like and be able to afford my home life.”

- Juan
“To see something in a commercial and be able to say, hey, I had a hand in designing that. It’s just satisfying.”

- Dakarai
“You come across really giving, and really thoughtful people. And you realize how brilliant, like, everyone is in the community. ”

- Robert

Hear it in their words.

We could tell you how much people love their careers in the skilled trades and how they got where they are, but we think you should hear it from them.

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Explore exciting careers in the trades.

Skilled Trade Careers

The following skilled trades are critical to some of the industries 3M and our customers serve. This is only a partial listing of the fields with positions available for well-trained tradespeople.

Electrician
Employment Overview

Employment of electricians is projected to grow 10% from 2018 to 2028,* faster than the average for all occupations. Increases in construction spending and demand for alternative energy sources will drive demand for electricians.

Average Wage
- Apprenticeship: $16/hr.
- Journeyman: $55,000 to $100,000/yr.
Industries
- Construction
- Renewable Energy
- Management
- Project Management
- Residential
Roles
- Apprentice
- Journeyman
- Foreman
- General Foreman
- Electrical Inspector
- Project Mangement
- Manager
Education and Training
- High school diploma
- Technical school or apprenticeship
- Several hundred classroom hours
- Test
- 4,000 hours working/license exam
- Apply earned credits towards the pursuit of an EE Degree
*https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#tab-4
Welding
Employment Overview

Employment of those in the welding trade is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, about the average for all occupations. Almost 50,000 openings are projected each year over the next decade.

Average Wage
- Welder annual salaries can range from $40,000 to $78,000
- Typical annual salary around $50,000
Industries
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Transportation
- Aerospace
- Metal Fabrication
- Prototype Fabrication
Roles
- Welders
- Cutters
- Solderers
- Brazers
Education and Training
- High school diploma
- Technical school or apprenticeship
- Several hundred classroom hours
- On-the-job training
- 2 Semester Certification Program
- Areas of specialty welding
- Master Welder
Mechatronics
Employment Overview

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians operate, test, and maintain electromechanical or robotic equipment. Employment in mechatronics isn’t seeing the same surge in demand as some of the other skilled trades, but the industry is trending to add 1,200 workers in electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians each year for the next decade.

Average Wage
- Annual salary can range from $42,000 to $74,000
- Average annual salary around $60,000
Industries
- Automotive
- Telecommunications
- Facilities maintenance
- Robotics/Automation
Roles
- Service technician
- Maintenance technician
Education and Training
- High school diploma
- Technical school or community college Associate’s degree
- Various certification programs
- Requirements vary by industry
- Opportunities for equipment specific certifications and training (example: calibration equipment, hand tools)
Automation
Employment Overview

Often referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, this is the shift to using data and artificial intelligence or cyber-based physical systems to deliver industrial applications or processes more efficiently and consistently. The field is growing at the rate of 9.2% annually over the next seven years, increasing globally from $192B in 2021 to an estimated $355B in 2028.

Average Wage
- Average hourly rate: $30-50/hour for Robotics Technicians, depending on specific application, industry and experience
- Annual salary can range from $58,000 to $60,000
Industries
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Electronics
- Packaging
- Heavy manufacturing
Roles
- Robotics technician
- System technician
- Maintenance reliability technician
Education and Training
- Education: 2-year trade school training to on-the-job training
- Additional opportunities are 1-2 week courses available via Robot OEMs (original equipment manufacturers like FANUC, ABB, KUKA)
Renewable Energy
Employment Overview

Currently, 20% of energy is generated from renewables—and growing. Employment for renewables related jobs is expected to grow by 7% through 2030,* and 68% of energy generation dollar investment is now in wind and solar.

Average Wage
- Solar Installers typical annual salary: $49,000
- Wind Turbine Technicians typical annual salary: $59,000
Industries
- Renewable energy
- Utilities
Roles
- Welding and metal fabricators
- Construction workers
- Solar technician
- Wind turbine technician
- Career path to engineering design and project management
Education and Training
- Electrician and Welding Certification
*Sources: Global Data, BLS, REEE Fact Sheet and Wood Mackenzie
Construction
Employment Overview
- 5+ million workers in the U.S.
- 6% expected growth by 2030
Average Wage
- Varies by occupation
- Boilermaker: $65,360/yr.
- Pipe Trades: $55,954/yr.
- Electrician: $56,900/yr.
- Ironworker: $53,210/yr.
- Laborer: $37,030/yr.
Industries
- Residential Maintenance and Construction
- Commercial Maintenance and Construction
- Industrial Maintenance and Construction
Roles
- Welders
- Electricians
- Pipe Trades (Plumbers, Fitters, Steam Fitters, Sprinkler Fitters)
- Boilermakers
- Ironworkers
- Carpenters
- Laborers
Education and Training
- Varies by occupation
- High school diploma
- Certificate program
- Apprenticeships
- Licenses required for some professions

Scholarships

Learn more about our scholarship programs and talk to your teachers about careers you may be interested in pursuing:
- $50,000 in scholarships to The National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3)
- $25,000 in scholarships to Century College
- $25,000 in scholarships to St. Paul Public Schools.

National Skilled Trades Programs

Because the demand for skilled workers is so great, and will continue to grow, there are national programs designed to help students interested in the skilled trades find careers.

3M Manufacturing and Academic Partnerships (MAP)

The 3M Manufacturing and Academic Partnerships program helps connect students to rewarding careers in manufacturing through grants that support a strong mechatronics curriculum and provides hands-on education for students. Manufacturing jobs have greatly evolved and the 3M MAP program works to give people the engineering, computer and manufacturing skills they’ll need to fill the growing number of highly technical jobs available in the skilled trades.
National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3)

The National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) helps students develop the skills they’ll need to fill well-paying positions through a growing network of educational partners and industry leaders. Working with 3M, NC3 brings industry and trade leaders, professional organizations and educational institutions together to advance workforce development and improve technical education. Towards these efforts, 3M is funding 50 scholarships at $1,000 each for students entering partner trade schools through NC3.

Featured Regional Skilled Trades Programs

There are valuable local programs that offer specific advantages to students seeking opportunities in the skilled trades.

St. Paul, MN Schools

St. Paul, MN Public Schools (SPPS) serve a diverse student population of more than 37K students, who speak more than 125 languages and dialects. Their mission is to inspire you to think critically, pursue your dreams and change the world. It’s why 3M has supported SPPS by funding art supplies, sensory equipment for early learners and technology to empower students with disabilities, along with funding a scholarship program with $25,000.
Austin, TX Program

If you live near Austin, Texas and want to become an electrician, you’ll be happy to know 3M has equipped two Austin schools with a training facility for the electrical trades. The effort will also sponsor 20 students like you who decide to go into further training as electricians. Almost 200 students over three years will benefit.
Century College, MN

Looking for a career in welding, solar and renewable energy or another skilled trade? 3M and Century College—based in White Bear Lake, MN—have teamed up to support and encourage underrepresented students with the 3M Skilled Trades Annual Scholarship. Students entering a skilled trades field at Century College can apply for one of these scholarships, which combined total $25,000.

3M STEM Learning Programs

We aim to inspire curiosity, improve educational outcomes and transform lives through STEM opportunities. Through demonstrations, jobsite visits, hands-on training and certification opportunities, we nourish that curiosity and help students and young adults discover rewarding careers in STEM and the skilled trades.

DoSomething.org

Want to learn more about a science, technology, engineering or math career? DoSomething.org partners with 3M to provide students like you with information on STEM careers, help you understand the industry and spark your interest to help set you on a path to a rewarding career.
3M Science at Home

Want to build a marshmallow tower to learn about skyscrapers? Make your own lava lamp? Build a paper rocket? If you like experimenting, creating and learning new things, you’ll want to check out 3M Science at Home. It’s a free program that consists of an online video library that contains more than 20 experiments. Each experiment features a 3M scientist, engineer or a special guest performing a simple experiment. It’s a fun, hands-on way to learn more about science.

Job Search

Looking for employment opportunities in the skilled trades? Explore these job boards and discover what’s available.

Skilled Trade Jobs

“I can do what I like and be able to afford my home life.”