Career cluster · TRADE · 3 careers

Skilled Trades and Technical Work

Hands-on technical jobs after a diploma, ITI or apprenticeship.

Would you thrive in Skilled Trades and Technical Work?Find out now

Compass career assessment

Is Skilled Trades and Technical Work a good match for who you are?

One assessment, an instant report, and a fit score on every cluster and career on these pages.

Instant report
Your top career fits
A fit score on every career here

I am in:Class 8-10 Class 11-12 College or fresher Working or switching

Pick your stage. Each Compass edition is made for it.

What this cluster is

Skilled trades are the hands-on technical jobs that keep homes, factories, vehicles and cities running: electricians, fitters, welders, plumbers, machinists, automobile and EV technicians, and many more. Training is short and practical, through ITI courses, polytechnic diplomas and apprenticeships, so you can start earning sooner.

Skilled technicians are in short supply in India and abroad, especially in electrical, automobile, EV, solar and HVAC work. With experience, many become supervisors, contractors or start their own workshops. A diploma also allows lateral entry into the second year of B.Tech.

The work is practical and physical, and safety training is essential.

What it includes

Electrician and electrical technician
Automobile and EV technician
Fitter, machinist and CNC operator
Welder, plumber and HVAC technician
Solar installer and maintenance technician

Not to be confused with

Engineering design after a B.Tech is Engineering and Manufacturing

3 careers in Skilled Trades and Technical Work

Electrician and electrical technicianInstalls, maintains and repairs electrical wiring and equipment. Starting pay ₹1.8-3 LPA Demand High Automobile and EV technicianServices and repairs cars, bikes and electric vehicles. Starting pay ₹1.8-3.5 LPA Demand Growing CNC machinist and fitterOperates and programs machines that cut and shape metal parts precisely. Starting pay ₹1.8-3 LPA Demand Steady

Starting pay is a typical range for freshers in India, in lakh rupees a year (LPA). Open a career for the 3-5 year and 8+ year ranges.

How to get into this cluster

School (Class 8-10)Class 11-12College or fresherWorking or switchingReturning after a break

School (Class 8-10)

After Class 10, join an ITI trade (1 to 2 years) or a polytechnic diploma (3 years) through your state's admission portal or polytechnic entrance.

Class 11-12

After Class 12 you can still join ITI or a diploma; diploma holders can later join B.Tech in the second year (lateral entry).

College or fresher

Take an apprenticeship under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme or NAPS to gain paid experience.

Working or switching

Short Skill India courses (PMKVY) and certifications help people switch into trades or upgrade to EV and solar work.

Returning after a break

Refresher courses at ITIs and Skill India centres help returners update their skills and get certified.

Who does well here

Like working with their hands and tools
Enjoy fixing things
Are careful about safety
Want to start earning early

Where people work

Factories and workshopsConstruction and building servicesAutomobile service centresSolar and power companiesOwn business or contracting

Useful subjects and skills

ScienceMathematicsWorkshop or vocational subjects

Outlook

High demand and real shortages of skilled technicians, especially for EV, solar, HVAC and electrical work. Experienced technicians also find jobs in the Gulf and other countries.

Know which careers fit you

Create a free account, take the Compass career assessment for your stage, and every cluster and career here will show how well it fits you.