Communities cannot function without skilled hands. A house needs a plumber. A school needs an electrician. A farm needs a welder. A community that cannot maintain and repair its own physical infrastructure is a community dependent on distant contractors at distant prices. The trades crisis — the shortage of plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and welders — is not primarily a skills crisis. It is a dignity crisis.
For a generation, the prestige narrative of four-year degrees subordinated the trades. Parents discouraged their children from "working with their hands." School counselors steered toward college regardless of fit. The result: a plumber in West Texas can charge $150 per hour because there aren't enough of them. Young people in those communities need a different story.
CHI restores the honor of skilled labor — not as a consolation prize for those who "couldn't make it to college," but as a calling. The craftsman who knows his trade, knows his community, and chooses to build it is one of the most valuable people in any local economy. CHI's trade programs form these craftsmen through accredited programs, Hall-based instruction, and tutors who are themselves masters of their trades.
Accredited Programs from Partner Universities
Programs available through the CHI catalog. Offered through Hall dual-enrollment at accredited partner universities.
Associate of Applied Science — Technical Studies
Technical program combining general education with specialized trade training. Concentrations in welding, electrical, HVAC, and construction.
Oil and Gas Engineering Technology
Essential for Permian Basin Halls and Texas energy communities. Technical engineering training with direct employment pathways into the regional energy sector.
Welding Certificate
American Welding Society-certified program. One-year credential deployable in construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas sectors.
Construction Management
Construction management for students who want to move from the trades into supervisory or entrepreneurial roles in the construction industry.
Start a Trades Hall in your community
You don't need a building. You need a vision for your community, a group of students, and the willingness to lead. CHI provides the accredited programs, training, and ongoing support.