Which trade jobs require no prior schooling?

I'm about to graduate high school and I'm interested in trades but I don't want to spend more time in a classroom. Are there trade jobs I can jump into without needing extra schooling?

Yes, absolutely. While many trades do require specific training or apprenticeships, there are several you can start without any formal education. Just remember that while these jobs may not require education upfront, on-the-job training will be a crucial part of your development. Also, most employers value soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.

Here are a few examples:

- Construction Laborer: A construction laborer performs a variety of tasks at construction sites, such as digging trenches, erecting scaffolding, or loading and unloading building materials. This job requires physical stamina, but no formal education is necessary.

- Oilfield Roustabout: If you're near an oilfield, roustabouts handle general maintenance and construction tasks around the oilfield. No prior schooling is necessary, but physical strength and some technical skills will be useful.

- Landscaping and Groundskeeping: This would cover a variety of outdoor work like planting trees, maintaining flower beds, mowing lawns, and so on. While some knowledge of plants might help, there's no required schooling.

- Moving and Storage: Movers help people move from one home to another, pack and unpack possessions, and load and unload moving trucks. Stamina and customer service skills are more important than formal education in this role.

- Commercial Driving: While technically a truck driver would need to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL), this can often be done through a short-term program or sometimes employers even provide training themselves, so it might not feel like traditional schooling.

Keep in mind that as you gain experience and become more specialized, you may eventually want to pursue specific certifications or education to increase your earnings and promotional opportunities. There's a wide world of trades out there—each with its own set of skills and training requirements—but these examples should give you a good start!