About this course

Basic Employability Skills for Trades Workers is a 1-hour course designed for entry-level and early-career trades workers—including pre-apprentices in construction, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and related fields. The course builds the practical soft skills that employers consistently rank as most important: reliability, safety mindset, communication, teamwork, and basic problem-solving.

Aligned with the U.S. Department of Education Employability Skills Framework, the Illinois Essential Employability Skills Framework, and NCCER Basic Employability Skills (Module 00108), this course goes beyond theory. Learners walk away with four reusable checklists and job aids they can use on the job starting their very next shift. Through short video modules, facilitated discussion, scenario-based practice, and guided reflection, participants build confidence in the behaviors that get people hired, kept, and promoted on job sites.

By the end of this session, learners will be able to:
  1. Describe the top employability expectations for trades workers—attendance, safety, teamwork, and clear communication—and explain why these behaviors matter as much as technical skill.
  2. Use at least two field-ready job aids (Daily Readiness Checklist and Toolbox Talk Communication Checklist) to guide their on-site behavior starting the next workday.
  3. Demonstrate basic conflict-resolution and constructive feedback skills through a short role play or scenario discussion.
  4. Apply a 4-step Field Problem-Solving Card to common on-site issues such as missing materials, unclear instructions, or scheduling confusion.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify at least 3 observable behaviors that signal reliability on a construction site.
  • Use a Daily Readiness Checklist before each shift.
  • Describe how employability skills directly support OSHA-aligned safety practices
  • Apply a "Stop–Think–Act" job aid when unsure how to proceed.
  • Use a Toolbox Talk Communication Checklist to contribute at a morning huddle.
  • Practice a 3-step approach for handling minor conflict or giving/receiving feedback.
  • Apply a 4-step Field Problem-Solving Card to a common on-site issue.

This course is included in this bundle

24 Course Bundle Health & Safety Electrical Construction Licensed Apprenticeship General Construction Jobsite Safety Trade Skills OSHA NFPA

HeatSpring CORE: Comprehensive Construction Training Program

Universal first year curriculum for all construction trades. Like NCCER CORE, but with an emphasis on safety and third-party certifications.
4.8
CEUs
24 courses
OSHA Education Center and 9 others
$1,656

Course outline

6 modules
3 hours to complete
58 minutes of video lectures
Module 1 • 3 assignments
Kickoff & Expectations

This short kickoff module sets the foundation for the course by connecting your real-world work experiences to the concept of employability. You’ll reflect on what makes someone a great coworker and begin to see how those qualities translate into skills that employers value every day on the job.

Through a quick guided activity, you’ll identify traits like reliability, communication, and teamwork, then link them to “employability skills”—the behaviors that shape how you show up at work, not just what technical tasks you can perform. This module also walks you through what to expect in the course, including the structure of upcoming sessions and the practical tools you’ll receive.

By the end, you’ll understand how the course will help you build concrete, observable behaviors that directly impact job performance, retention, and advancement—and how to use simple job aids designed to support you on the job site.

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Module 2 • 7 assignments
Reliability on the Job

By the end of this 10‑minute module, you will be able to identify at least three reliable daily behaviors that increase safety, keep jobs on schedule, and build trust with your foreman and crew.

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Module 3 • 5 assignments
Safety, Communication & Morning Huddles

By the end of this micro‑module, learners will be able to do three things on their next jobsite morning huddle:
  1. Explain how speaking up about hazards affects both OSHA expectations and their own long‑term employability.
  2. Use the CUES tool (Clear, Useful, Early, Safe) to bring up one concern in a huddle.
  3. Apply the Toolbox Talk Checklist and Stop–Think–Act card when unsure what to do.

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Module 4 • 3 assignments
Conflict, Feedback & Problem-Solving

By the end of this micro‑lesson, field leaders and crew members will be able to:
  • Recognize 3–4 common conflict triggers on construction job sites (pace, quality, miscommunication, tone).
  • Use the 3‑Step Conflict & Feedback Tool to respond to a tense moment without escalating.
  • Use the 4‑Step Field Problem‑Solving Card to choose a safe, practical next step when something on the job isn’t going to plan.

These outcomes are concrete, job‑relevant, and problem‑centered, which aligns with core adult learning and microlearning principles.

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Module 5 • 3 assignments
Practice, Reflect & Assess

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Conclusion • 3 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources

This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!

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Instructors

Brittany Heller

HeatSpring

Brittany Heller has been in the solar industry in a variety of roles since January 2015. She began her solar career in residential sales in New Orleans. She then moved to Denver where she completed a Construction Fellowship with GRID Alternatives Colorado, building a wide portfolio of solar projects all benefiting income-qualified families. In April 2018, she began her...

J West

Principal, hph2tc

I want to help you and your company fix tough talent development and retention challenges with a creative mix of smart curriculum design, engaging content, and blended learning strategies that actually move the needle on workforce skills and brand value. I’m an experienced adult learning practitioner, manager, and public speaker who’s spent years making training...

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ
How does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This course is delivered entirely online. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll. During your year of access the instructor will be in the course answering questions on the discussion board every Sunday. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to generate a certificate of completion.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Students get unlimited access to the course materials as soon as they enroll and for one year (365 days) after enrollment. Rewatch videos and review assignments as many times as you want. View updates the instructor makes to the course as the industry advances. Return to your course anytime with online access from anywhere in the world. After the one year of access expires, access can be extended by joining as a HeatSpring member. A single membership extends access to course materials for all past enrollments.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, please visit our For Teams page to get a group discount.
How will I learn?
The course is designed as a focused 3‑hour online lesson suitable for integration into pre-apprenticeship, CORE, or safety orientation programs. Learners will:

Watch short, instructor-led video segments that model real construction job-site scenarios and connect them to employability frameworks and OSHA expectations.

Use downloadable tools (Daily Readiness Checklist, Stop–Think–Act card, Toolbox Talk Communication Checklist, Field Problem-Solving Card) during brief practice activities and reflection prompts.

Work through at least one realistic case example in each domain (reliability, safety, communication, problem-solving) to apply the checklists and job aids in context.
Who is this course for?
Entry-level or early-career trades workers (construction, electrical, HVAC, plumbing), including pre-apprentices. No prior experience required.
What will I walk away with?
What will I walk away with? Four downloadable job aids (checklists and pocket cards) you can use on the job starting your next shift.
What frameworks does this course align with?
What frameworks does this course align with? U.S. Department of Education Employability Skills Framework, Illinois Essential Employability Skills, and NCCER Basic Employability Skills (Module 00108).

$179

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