The Work: Complete your paid apprenticeship and become a fully certified journeyman in your chosen trade.
The Pay: $60,000 – $70,000 / year
Master the Trade. Own the Company.
Get a high-demand trade skill combined with elite business training. Start your career as a highly-paid journeyman, and then launch your own contracting company. It is truly the best of both worlds.
Timeline: 5-7 years to business owner
Earning Potential: $100,000 – $300,000+
College Debt: $0
Your Roadmap to the Executive Level
The Expert (Years 1-5)
Step 1
The Founder (Year 6)
The Work: Launch your independent contracting firm, securing your first major clients.
The Revenue: $150,000+ (First Year Potential)
Step 2
The CEO (Year 7+)
The Work: Running a scaled trade business, hiring crews, and expanding your service area.
The Revenue: $100,000 – $300,000+
Step 3
The Ultimate Skill Stack
To run a successful contracting company, knowing how to do the work isn’t enough.
You need to know how to run the business.
Trade Fundamentals
Begin your hands-on technical training early to secure your apprenticeship.
The Entrepreneurial Core (ENTR 100-218)
Earn 18 college credits teaching you lean marketing, financial foundations, and new venture development
AI Literacy for Contractors
Complete our AI Specialist training (24 hours) to learn how to automate invoicing, optimize scheduling, and scale your operations using modern tech.
Entrepreneurship Pathway FAQs
Do I have to choose between a trade and business right now?
No! The Hybrid path is designed specifically for students who want to build a technical skill first, ensuring they have a guaranteed, high-paying career fallback ($60k-$70k) before leaping into business ownership.
How do I get the business training if I'm working an apprenticeship?
The business foundation starts in high school. By the time you graduate, you will already have 18 college credits in entrepreneurship and deep AI literacy. This allows you to focus purely on your trade certification after graduation, with your business knowledge already banked.
Is it really possible to make $300,000+?
Yes. While a journeyman’s salary typically caps around $80,000 to $100,000, business owners who hire crews and secure larger commercial contracts scale their revenue significantly.
