Alameda County Office of Education

Guidance Resources

Entering the Trades is a complex process.

ACOE’s GCGI Team has organized the various first experiences HS graduates can take into the trades into four categories we call “Trailheads"

Community College CTE Programs
Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship Programs
Entry Level Employment

Akin to different hiking trails, some are steeper and require

more preparation or commitment, others are easier to access.

The resources provided below are intended to support students to make good choices about their next steps. We recommend reviewing them in sequential order.

We also recommend that guidance staff attend one of ACOE's GCGI PD sessions to become more adept at using these resources

Trailheads Accessibility Continuum

A printable graphic providing a brief and digestible reference for students to understand ease of access to different entry points for the construction industry.

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Trailheads Comparison

A printable graphic to provide more specific information about the different entry points for the construction industry. Useful for comparing options.

View Files:

File 1 File 2

Trailheads One Pagers

More comprehensive summaries about the different entry points. Useful to provide once a student has looked at the Continuum and Comparison.

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Trailheads Capacity

Under Construction

Trailheads Directory

More comprehensive summaries about the different entry points. Useful to provide once a student has looked at the Continuum and Comparison. Regularly updated.

View File

Trailheads Maps

Under Construction

Posters
Graphics to help promote opportunities in the trades.