A skilled worker is any worker who has special skill , training, knowledge , and (usually acquired) ability in their work . A skilled worker may have attended a college , university or technical school . Or, a skilled worker may have learned their skills on the job . Examples of skilled labor include engineers , software development , paramedics , police officers , soldiers , physicians , crane operators, truck drivers, drafters, painters, plumbers , craftsmen , cooks and accountants . These workers can be either blue-collar or white-collar workers , with varied levels of training or education.