What defines a skilled trade job?

I'm trying to wrap my head around what exactly qualifies as a skilled trade job. Could someone explain the definition and perhaps give examples of jobs that fall under this category? I want to be sure I'm on the right track.

Sure, I'd be happy to help clarify this for you! Skilled trade jobs typically involve manual labor and require specialized training, but they don't necessarily require a four-year college degree. They're often connected to fields like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and technology.

Here are several examples, broken down by category:

- Construction and Mechanical Trades: These include jobs such as electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, carpenters, masons, and welders. These individuals are often involved in building or maintaining infrastructure.

- Health Trades: This would encompass roles such as dental hygienists, paramedics, or physical therapy assistants - jobs that require specialized knowledge in a healthcare context but don't require a full medical or dental degree.

- Technology and Digital Trades: These include jobs like computer technicians, network administrators, and web developers. While some people in these fields do hold college degrees, many of them learned their skills through vocational programs, online courses, or on-the-job training.

- Automotive and Transportation Trades: This includes automotive technicians, aviation mechanics, diesel technicians, and commercial drivers. These individuals are responsible for maintaining and repairing vehicles and other forms of transportation.

In each of these roles, workers use their hands and their technical know-how to provide essential services. Training for these jobs can often be obtained through technical schools, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training, rather than a traditional four-year college program. They're vital roles in our economy, and skilled trade professionals are often in high demand!