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No degree? No problem. Trade Up Texas hosts free employment showcase

The Apprenticeship Showcase connects Austin's workforce with trade jobs.

AUSTIN, Texas — If you thought you couldn't get a well-paying job without a college degree, think again.

KVUE partnered with Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Texas Mutual in December 2018 to launch a new campaign, Trade Up Texas, to promote career awareness and exploration. 

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Trade Up Texas is hosting an Apprenticeship Showcase this week at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The event, which is free and open to the public, started Wednesday but is also happening on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The showcase connects Austinites with potential employers and employees in the same space. Companies and organizations will introduce their training and hiring opportunities at the showcase. 

There are dozens of employers in need of skilled workers such as electricians, plumbers and welders. There's a big shortage industry-wide and the industry's growing, so much so that many of them will even pay for your schooling.

"We'll take somebody off of the streets or just straight out of high school, maybe they've never worked before. We'll give them a full-time job Monday through Friday 40 hours a week,” said Shiloh Row, who works with Beckett Electrical Services. “We'll pay for them to go to school."

“Anything that has to work with your hands and being in the trade,” said Savannah Marvets, a fifth-year apprentice. “We're always going to need people because you just can't make machines to do this."

Reporter Kalyn Norwood got an inside look at the Apprentice Showcase. Click here to watch.

Trade Up Texas was created to celebrate the accomplishments of Austin residents working in skilled trades, and to raise awareness about the demand from businesses for occupations in skilled trades.

More than 1,000 Texans have reportedly contacted Trade Up Texas about training and work opportunities as plumbers, welders, carpenters, electricians, and more.

Click here to register for the showcase.

WATCH: KVUE and Trade Up Texas are partnering to let people know about the latest trade jobs in the Austin

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