Career Academies
Shared Reins is developing residential training programs in 11 skilled trades. The planned academies will combine practical instruction, small cohorts, and guidance from experienced tradespeople to help veterans prepare for civilian careers.
Explore the planned academies to learn about the skills covered, illustrative course lengths, and potential career paths.
Programs are in development. Enrollment is not yet open.
Program durations are illustrative and subject to change. Credentials and eligibility for VA education benefits have not been confirmed and depend on applicable approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.
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Illustrative duration
8 weeksPlanned training
Electrical safety, tools, and jobsite practices; circuits and service equipment; residential and commercial wiring; conduit installation; blueprint reading and National Electrical Code orientation; troubleshooting and test equipment.Potential career paths
Electrical pre-apprenticeship, union or independent contractor apprenticeships, commercial and industrial helper roles, and utility or facilities maintenance.Program details are illustrative and subject to final approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.
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Illustrative duration
10 weeksPlanned training
Shop safety and precision measurement; manual mill and lathe fundamentals; CNC setup, offsets, and operation; blueprint reading and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing; tooling, feeds, speeds, and quality control; introductory computer aided design and manufacturing.Potential career paths
CNC operator, machinist trainee, manufacturing technician, aerospace and defense production roles, and registered apprenticeships where available.Program details are illustrative and subject to final approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.
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Illustrative duration
10 weeksPlanned training
Shop safety and vehicle inspection; preventive maintenance and service procedures; brake, steering, and suspension systems; electrical and charging system diagnostics; engine performance fundamentals; scan tool use and troubleshooting.Potential career paths
Automotive technician trainee, fleet maintenance technician, dealership or independent shop apprenticeships, and municipal or public safety fleet service.Program details are illustrative and subject to final approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.
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Illustrative duration
8 weeksPlanned training
Construction safety, layout, and measurement; hand and power tool use; floor, wall, and roof framing; doors, windows, and exterior systems; interior finish and trim fundamentals; blueprint reading and material estimating.Potential career paths
Carpenter apprenticeships, residential and commercial construction, facilities maintenance, and a pathway toward general contracting.Program details are illustrative and subject to final approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.
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Illustrative duration
8 weeksPlanned training
Plumbing safety and tool use; water supply, drainage, waste, and vent systems; pipe cutting, joining, and support; fixture installation and service; basic code and blueprint reading; troubleshooting leaks and common failures.Potential career paths
Union or contractor apprenticeships, plumbing helper or trainee roles, facilities maintenance, and service plumbing.Program details are illustrative and subject to final approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.
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Illustrative duration
6 weeksPlanned training
Equipment safety and work zone awareness; daily inspections and preventive checks; excavator, loader, and skid steer fundamentals; basic grading, trenching, and material handling; spotter communication and hand signals; jobsite productivity and equipment care.Potential career paths
Operating engineer apprenticeships, heavy equipment operator trainee roles, work with site development contractors, and municipal or public works roles.Program details are illustrative and subject to final approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.
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Illustrative duration
8 weeksPlanned training
Refrigeration cycle fundamentals; electrical controls and meter use; airflow, ductwork, and system components; furnace and heat pump fundamentals; preventive maintenance and diagnostics; EPA Section 608 exam preparation.Potential career paths
HVAC apprenticeships, service technician trainee roles, facilities maintenance, and a pathway into commercial refrigeration.Program details are illustrative and subject to final approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.
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Illustrative duration
6 weeksPlanned training
Masonry safety, layout, and estimating; mortar mixing and joint finishing; brick and concrete block placement; level, plumb, and alignment techniques; scaffold and material handling basics; plan reading and repair fundamentals.Potential career paths
Bricklayer or masonry apprenticeships, commercial masonry crews, restoration and repair work, and general construction.Program details are illustrative and subject to final approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.
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Illustrative duration
4 weeksPlanned training
Fall protection and roof safety; removal of existing roofing and roof deck preparation; underlayment, flashing, and water management; asphalt shingle installation; introductory metal roofing concepts; jobsite setup, cleanup, and quality control.Potential career paths
Roofing apprenticeships and crew roles, commercial roofing helper positions, exterior construction, and facilities maintenance.Program details are illustrative and subject to final approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.
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Illustrative duration
6 weeksPlanned training
Department of Transportation safety and hours of service fundamentals; vehicle inspection and air brake basics; coupling, backing, and yard maneuvers; road driving and defensive techniques; cargo and trip planning fundamentals; CDL skills test preparation.Potential career paths
Class A CDL driving, local and regional freight, construction and material hauling, and employer sponsored driver pathways.Program details are illustrative and subject to final approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.
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Illustrative duration
8 weeksPlanned training
Shop safety and metal preparation; stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), and flux cored (FCAW) welding fundamentals; introductory TIG (GTAW) exposure where appropriate; fit up, joint design, and distortion control; blueprint reading and weld symbols; cutting, grinding, and inspection basics.Potential career paths
Welder or fabricator trainee roles, union apprenticeships, manufacturing and shipyard work, and pathways into structural or industrial welding.Program details are illustrative and subject to final approvals. Employment and apprenticeship placement are not guaranteed.