Build your future.
Rebuild America.

We need to close the skills gap. Our freedom depends on it.

We want you. It’s your opportunity to get skilled, get paid and be part of something that matters to you, your family and your country. We need people – now – to build, repair, sustain and staff the skill sets our nation’s security depends on. It’s hands-on, high-paying, high-impact work. And it starts here, at BuildFreedom.US.

Skilled tradesperson grinding metal — hands-on work that automation can't replace
AI-proof, six-figure jobs.

Earn big, no college degree required.

Mentor training a young apprentice on heavy equipment, building the next-generation workforce
Workforce ready in months, not years.

Train, learn, launch a career, while others are still in lecture halls.

Young technician in a green helmet and safety glasses inspecting aircraft engine components up close
College is one path. Here’s another.

Be paid to learn. Acquire skills that will launch you on a lifetime of prosperity.

FIND OUT WHERE THE JOBS ARE NEAR YOU.

Search job openings near you. Powered by National Labor Exchange.

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Learn fast. Earn early.

We can connect you to scholarships and apprenticeships that will lead to real skills and real money in a rewarding career.

Search Here

The gap is huge. The opportunity is even bigger.

Search job openings near you. Powered by National Labor Exchange.

76 million

Baby Boomers retiring from the workforce

320,000

Welders needed by 2029

250,000

Shipbuilders needed in the next decade

81,000

New listings for electricians annually for the next decade

Sources: BLS, Department of War (DOW)

We are proud to partner with these top performers:

Department of War

mikeroweWORKS Foundation

National Labor Exchange

Pick a Trade. Build a Career.

Welder
Pay Range: $33K - $75K
Time to Start: 9 months
HVAC Technician
Pay Range: $36K - $84K
Time to Start: 12 months
Machinist
Pay Range: $34K - $75K
Time to Start: 12 months
Shipbuilder
Pay Range: $32K - $72K
Time to Start: 18 months
Diesel Mechanic
Pay Range: $36K - $80K
Time to Start: 24 months
Defense Technician
Pay Range: $42K - $110K
Time to Start: 24 months
Electrician
Pay Range: $40K - $110K
Time to Start: 48 months
Pipefitter
Pay Range: $38K - $108K
Time to Start: 60 months

Common Questions (FAQ)

What is the highest-paying skilled trade?

Elevator installers, power-line workers and elite welders routinely clear $100,000 a year. Several trades pass $150,000 with overtime and specialization.

What trade makes $100,000 a year?

Electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC techs and industrial mechanics regularly hit six figures within a few years of certification.

Do I need college for a skilled trade?

No. Most trades are learned through paid apprenticeships or trade-school programs that take one to two years.

Are trade jobs AI-proof?

Hands-on trades – welding, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing – are among the hardest jobs to automate. Demand is rising, not falling.

How do I find an apprenticeship near me?

Start with our Apprenticeships hub or search by ZIP Code on the job board. Most apprenticeships pay a wage from day one.

Latest News

Two welders in protective helmets working with sparks flying as they weld metal in a workshop
Welders in Demand as Shipyards Expand

Major U.S. shipbuilders are doubling intake of certified welders to meet new defense contracts and...

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Three apprentices in hard hats and military uniforms training on heavy construction equipment
Apprenticeship Wages Hit Record Highs

Paid apprenticeships across the skilled trades are now starting above $22 an hour in many states, with...

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Mike Rowe in a dark jacket listening intently during a conversation
Mike Rowe Scholarship Opens 2026 Round

The Work Ethic Scholarship applications are open again, offering tuition for tomorrow’s tradespeople and...

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Horizontal Build Freedom logo

Our mission is simple: build the workforce that builds and defends America. Our national and economic security depends on it. We will help power our nation’s defense industrial base and revive the skilled trades. We will be connecting the next generation of builders – the welders, machinists, mechanics, electricians, technicians and more – to high-wage, big-impact jobs. You can help us build freedom for generations to come.