Frequently Asked Questions

There are a variety of course offerings in historic trades training, depending on where you are in your career journey. We recommend that people start with interest engagement opportunities; those interested in pursuing a career then enroll in classes and workshops in tandem with practicums and internships; and mid-career and professional people can pursue continuing education classes. Read more on Training and Education and find providers.

The Campaign’s apprenticeship initiative is a dynamic, ongoing process. Stay informed and be part of the progress by finding the latest information on Apprenticeships.

The Campaign’s recruitment team regularly holds Zoom Expos for National Park Service Historic Preservation Internships; sign up here: NPS Internships Zoom Expo.

The Campaign is compiling and developing resources to help program administrators. You can find these resources outlined on Start or Grow a Program. The Campaign also hosts informational sessions for training and education programs to learn how they can utilize The Campaign’s registered apprenticeships. See our collection of sessions and sign up here.

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) is an initiative of the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center. TTAP provides hands-on, historic preservation trade skills training during intensive learning-while-working experiences in National Parks across the country. The program helps prepare young people and veterans for traditional trades careers with public land agencies. Find out more at the HPTC TTAP website.

TTAP is made possible through partnership agreements under the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. This agreement is to engage youth and veterans in public land stewardship roles. As a result, the program is only open to youth aged 18 – 30 and veterans aged 18 – 35.

Nope! There are no application fees, and participants are compensated for their time in the program.

Apply here! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, and multiple cohorts are in the field at any given time. Those interested in a career in the trades are encouraged to apply. No previous experience is needed and the program welcomes applicants from diverse experiences. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified as soon as applications go live!

Participation in the program is contingent upon passing a background check. Criminal history does not automatically disqualify someone from applying and selection for TTAP. The only automatic disqualifiers are a murder charge, a murder conviction, or registration on the National Sex Offender Registry. Driving history is considered for specific TTAP positions requiring the use of government vehicles.

Not officially. Most programs conglomerate their information and training outlines from similar resources, but until now, there has not been a national organization dedicated to establishing national standards. The Campaign will work with stakeholders to establish these standards publicly.

There are a host of reasons why. You can read about Our History to learn of national movements toward this.

We are developing our roster of instructors and Subject Matter Experts to assist in education and training. Join our drop-in call, Talking Trades. It’s a space for people involved in training and education to get together, discuss their work, and ask questions.

If you’re an employer, you are welcome to join our virtual informational sessions for employers interested in The Campaign’s registered apprenticeships: Apprenticeship Info Sessions – Employers.

Consider joining the Preservation Trades Network! It’s an international member organization with a regular conference, the International Preservation Trades Workshop. If you want to demonstrate your trade, IPTW is a great place.

Our next Summit will be held April 7 – 9, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois! Read our American Historic Trades Summit page for more information and registration!

Check out our blog post about LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Trades! You can also visit our Opportunities page and use the tag “LGBTQ” to search for events.

To invite The Campaign to speak at, attend, or table your event, fill out this form and our team will get back to you: Outreach Inquiry Form.