Do you need a promotion at work for a higher paycheck? Are you keen on personal development? Maybe you’re looking to learn a skill in a professional setting with a certificate to prove your expertise. Trade schools are the solutions you seek.
Trade schools (also known as Vocational schools or Technical schools) give anyone the opportunity to learn a skill or two for a specific job or career.
In this article, you’ll learn what trade schools are all about. The duration of the study, the best trade schools you can find around and the programs they run. You’ll also learn about online and adult vocational schools which could be free or paid trade schools. You’ll also find out differences that distinguish Trade schools from normal colleges.
What is a Trade School?
A trade school (also known as a technical school) is a postsecondary educational institution developed to educate students for a particular job in a professional trade career. Most importantly, a trade school offers hands-on training to equip students for fundamental work in their field of choice. Vocational school programs are completely focused on relevant career training.
A trade school gives highly concentrated training programs particularly designed to prepare students for a job in the skilled trades. It prioritizes developing students’ technical abilities in skilled trades. A trade school provides students with the knowledge required in order to start a career in an area that requires technical expertise and practical experience.
All trade schools offer highly modified training courses geared towards a certain field. Many vocational schools also offer online and hybrid programs, most of which can be accessed through grants and scholarships. These options always appeal to working professionals. Paid trade school tuition and fees differ by school and program. Although vocational school programs offer severe training, some disciplines also require an apprenticeship.
Why Attend a Trade School
The world has tilted to the part in which you must be equipped with a skill. Skills have become basic requirements for employment and higher pay. Corporate enterprises and organizations are on the lookout for the skills you’ve got. They are more interested in what you can do than the certificate you carry.
Vocational (Trade) schools offer the practical training lacking by any individual looking to enter the skilled trade for a specific career. This implies that every lesson and task prepares students to satisfy the basic requirements for an entry-level job. Students learn with peers of the same quest in a dedicated environment and they are taught by competent professionals in the field.
Trade school lecture schedules are mostly flexible to include other life commitments, such as family obligations or another job. Career services are on hand to help with any questions or concerns. Such concerns could be students’ best choice for a trade school career list.
Trade schools seek their students’ success and are built for individuals who want to complete their studies quickly to start working.
Thus, a trade school assists someone with little or no knowledge gain the initial experience they need to be competitive in the job market. They may also provide opportunities for career advancement.
How Long is Trade School
Trade schools are entirely focused on equipping students with the relevant skills they lack to secure the job they prefer. Unlike a four-year academic institute, trade schools do not need any classes or credits that are not connected to the job at hand. Because the technical training is more concentrated than in other types of colleges. The duration of the programs is usually shorter. This means less wasted time and a faster route toward the first salary.
Each program is distinct, but a professional trade training program can take from a few months to a year. Some technological types of training programs span one to two years. The period of schooling to attain entry-level technical skills is usually under one year.
Vocational programs normally span eight weeks to two years depending on whether you want to obtain a certificate, diploma, or associate degree.
Trade schools are known as postsecondary education. which implies that a high school diploma or GED is important. But it may take a little extra time for those without a high school diploma to study for and pass the GED exam first. However, many trade schools give GED assistance or even free GED tutorials.
How Much Do Trade Schools Cost?
Paid trade schools and training programs have different costs that are unique to such programs, regions, and specialties.
Trade school programs usually cost less than a four-year college degree. Though, most vocational schools are paid trade schools. But some offer scholarship opportunities, loans, or grants to help offset the primary cost of training. The expense of registering in a trade school should also be evaluated alongside the future benefits, such as salary upon completion, and expected job growth in the field.
One of the encouraging parts of entering a trade school is the lower cost of education. Of course, it varies based on what trade you are going for but typically, trade school fees can range from $10,000 to $50,000 and average costs fall around $33,000.
List Of Best Trade School Programs
Here are the Popular trade school careers and programs to choose from:
- Beauty and Cosmetology
- Construction Management
- Culinary
- Dental Hygienist
- Electrician
- HVAC Training
- Mechanic
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Paramedic
- Ultrasound Technician
- Veterinary Technician
20 Best Trade Schools Near Me
The best trade schools near me are listed below.
- Wallace Community College
- Southwest Mississippi Community College
- Holmes Community College
- Harper College
- State Technical College of Missouri
- Western Iowa Tech Community College
- San Jacinto College
- Western Technical
- Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
- Minnesota State Community and Technical College
- Cloud County Community College
- Fox Valley Technical College
- Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
- Ridgewater College
- Mitchell Technical Institute
- Lake Area Technical College
- North Central Kansas Technical College
- Southeast Technical College
- Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
- White Mountains Community College
The whole objective of vocational colleges is to educate students in schools and degree programs that will be beneficial to their lives and careers. The reason why our ranking of the best trade schools comprises only accredited institutions with the best career lists and occupational focuses
#1. Wallace Community College
Wallace Community College – Dothan provides different courses for students who are interested in acquiring the specific skills associated with their preferred trade. From baking to welding, acting to daycare, students are able to decide on a career path they will be happy with for years to come.
#2. Southwest Mississippi Community College
Southwest Mississippi Community College is one of the best vocational schools in the south. Being a community college, the school allows for members of the community to register in programs where they can learn the skills needed to further their careers.
#3. Holmes Community College
Holmes Community College is a trade school that not only provides state-of-the-art curriculum and resources but also has faculty and staff that are some of the most proficient in their fields. Many have years of experience as well as a college education they can draw on when instructing their classes.
#4. Harper College
At Harper College, skills needed are learned from the best-skilled trades programs in the region. Faculty members have been teaching in their chosen fields for many years. They are relying on that massive amount of knowledge to teach you all you need to know before you go out and start looking for work.
#5. State Technical College of Missouri
State Technical College of Missouri has a trusted status for empowering students with the needed skills. They have an ongoing job placement percentage rate of 99% after graduation.
#6. Western Iowa Tech Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College has over 70 programs for students to select from. Each course can serve as a stepping stone to a higher degree program or can be used to set the foundation for a long and very lucrative career.
#7. San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College is one of the best vocational colleges for in-depth learning and highly technical skills. According to the Aspen Institute, they rank as one of the top 10 community colleges in the country.
#8. Western Technical College – Wisconsin
Western Technical College – Wisconsin offers most of the best vocational and skilled trades programs in the state. Each program is formulated to primarily focus on the needed skills instead of the coursework that is not.
#9. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is dedicated to equipping each student who enrolls at the school with the most professional skills possible. Students seeking a hands-on learning environment in which they can challenge themselves will find it at the college.
#10. Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Minnesota State Community and Technical College offer many of the best-skilled trade programs accessible in the country. The school offers a combination of scholarships for students who need financial aid.
#11. Cloud County Community College
Cloud County Community College has a reputation for being a leader when it comes to developing the skilled trades their students need to move forward with their careers. Faculty and staff are able to give encouragement and help to their students.
#12. Fox Valley Technical College
Fox Valley Technical College offers students an opportunity to pursue their careers with assurance. The college has a 94% placement rate guaranteeing students a job after the successful completion of their training. Many graduates from college are earning up to $43,000 plus on average each year.
#13. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College offers highly focused skilled trades programs that are developed to allow a student to outshine in their chosen career field. With the help of professional faculty members, students are able to use every skill they acquire to its fullest advantage.
#14. Ridgewater College
Being one of Minnesota’s best technical colleges, Ridgewater College delivers the best-skilled trades programs in the area. It has earned the apex spot in Minnesota community colleges in both 2020 and 2021. 85% of their students receive some form of financial assistance.
#15. Mitchell Technical Institute
Mitchell Technical Institute has the reputation of being the number one vocational school in the state when it comes to an advantageous 10-year return on a student’s investment in their education. The school offers 35 programs for students who wish to learn on campus and four-course for those who are attracted to online learning alternatives.
#16. Lake Area Technical College
Lake Area Technical College offers 15 E-degrees that are a combination of both online learning and campus courses. Overall, the school offers 30 programs for students to select from that will enable them to build a career they can bank on to last them a lifetime.
#17. North Central Kansas Technical College
North Central Kansas Technical College is popular for delivering the highest feasible return on the investments students make toward their education. The college also brags about high graduation rates as well as outstanding job placement percentages.
#18. Southeast Technical College
Southeast Technical College is one of the most developed technical schools in the South Dakota area. The college ranks in the top 150 for academic excellence. The institute delivers all the resources skilled trades students require to pursue their career goals.
#19. Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is also one of the highest-ranked vocational colleges in the area when it comes to academic excellence. Both non-citizens and citizens pay the same tuition which makes each program that is offered even more accessible than ever before.
#20. White Mountains Community College
White Mountain Community College provides a wide combination of programs in different fields. Over 80% of the students who apply for programs at the college are qualified to obtain some form of financial support.
Online Trade Schools
- West Kentucky Community and Technical College
- Clovis Community College
- Central Community College
- Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
- Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Trade Schools Near For Adults
In the world today, it has become increasingly common for adults to decide to go back to school.
There are various benefits attached to acquiring a new skill as an adult. Jobs are thriving in the skilled trades, which implies that technicians trained on the latest devices and technology will be required to take up open jobs.
There is actually some form of aid or assistance designed to support Adult skill education. Such a program is the Imagine America Foundation’s (IAF) Adult Skills Education Program. Established in 2009 and is the only federal aid program particularly designed to help enroll adult students in adult trade schools.
ASEP is a one-time award, rendered by the IAF to qualified adult students enrolling in an IAF-supported adult trade school. All adult students must complete the IAF-developed student examination prepared by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). When the request is finished, all data is sent to the IAF participating career college for payment.
Eligible students must be of 19 years or above, be registering into an IAF participating vocational college, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have a high school diploma or GED, and cannot be an earlier beneficiary of any other Imagine America scholarship or award.
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Free Trade Schools Near Me
Accredited technical schools are mostly paid trade schools. However, there are a series of scholarship opportunities and grants that could be accessed. For instance, schools in the state are registered under the Imagine America Foundation’s (IAF) Adult Skills Education Program.
Best Trade School Jobs
This section introduces 15 of the highest-paying trade school jobs. The list below will give you an idea of the earning possibility of these vocations. Note that actual salary will differ depending on various factors such as location, employer, and qualifications.
We also discuss each career profile including information on its future growth based on forecasts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
a. Elevator Installer and Repairer
- Salary (as of 2020): $88,540
- Job growth rate: 7%
b. Radiation Therapist
These professionals work with nurses, physicians, and oncologists. Radiation therapists treat terminal diseases like cancer. These healthcare workers supervise radiation therapy sessions, using devices like linear accelerators to lessen and eliminate cancerous tumors. They also monitor patients during treatment for any hostile reactions while adhering to strict safety protocols.
- Salary (as of 2020): $86,850
- Job growth rate: 7%
c. Web Developer
These IT experts create websites, designing the general aesthetic and layout of the pages. Depending on their function, web developers also manage back-end technical aspects, including the site’s traffic capacity and performance speed. Additionally, they can serve as webmasters, revising content, monitoring usability, and rectifying issues such as broken links.
Salary (as of 2020): $77,200
Job growth rate: 8%
d. Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists assist patients to retain good oral health through preventive procedures and hygiene sensitization. They employ a variety of hand and ultrasonic instruments to remove plaque, tartar, and stains, as well as a lookout for signs of oral infections like gingivitis and oral cancer.
- Salary (as at 2020): $77,090
- Job growth rate: 6%
e. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers help physicians and surgeons with diagnosing ailments, and other medical situations, and preparing patients for operations. Using imaging machines to generate sonograms and ultrasounds, sonographers help discover and identify abnormalities in the human body. These professionals may specialize in a specific area of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels, etc.
- Salary (as of 2020): $70,380
- Job growth rate: 12%
f. Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists assist patients with breathing complications and cardiopulmonary conditions. As medical professionals, they interview patients before examining their lung function and performing other diagnostic tests. They also unite with physicians to specify treatment plans, which may include aerosol medications and chest physiotherapy.
- Salary (as of 2020): $62,810
- Job growth rate: 19%
g. Electrician
Primarily helping contractors, licensed electricians install and test power-based equipment, such as communication networks, lighting systems, and control grids. They evaluate blueprints to specify the proper arrangement of circuits and breakers in structures. When conserving an existing system, these professionals notice solutions for fixing hard-to-reach wiring, motors, and other electrical elements.
- Salary (as at 2020): $56,900
- Job growth rate: 8%
h. Plumber
Professional plumbers induct and maintain piping networks that deliver liquid and gas in homes, office buildings, and industrial establishments. For residential customers, plumbers perform examinations and prepare cost estimates for jobs like installing a bathtub and repairing a broken pipe or fixture. Construction plumbers work in crews to assure a site’s plumbing meets building codes and federal standards.
- Salary (as of 2020): $56,330
- Job growth rate: 4%
i. Wind Turbine Technician
- Salary (as of 2020): $56,230
- Job growth rate: 61%
j. IT Technician
Commonly called computer support specialists, IT technicians work in departmental units to install and preserve LANs, WANs, and internet networks. They also conduct security procedures, defending against cybercriminals and reclaiming appropriated digital assets. IT technicians may sometimes maintain a customer assistance role, educating people to utilize new software or hardware and assisting them to troubleshoot common difficulties.
- Salary (as of 2020): $55,510
- Job growth rate: 8%
k. Iron worker
Working for construction firms and contracting companies, ironworkers install steel and iron to uphold buildings, bridges, and roads. These professionals usually work on new structure projects but may also be assigned as part of a demolition or restoration team. Ironworkers can be experts in structural steel and iron, erecting and assembling columns, girders, and other framework parts, or they may concentrate on reinforcement through rebar and iron mesh.
- Salary (as of 2020): $53,210
- Job growth rate: 5%
l. Legal Assistant
- Salary (as of 2020): $52,920
- Job growth rate: 10%
m. Geological and Petroleum Technician
These professionals work on crews with petroleum engineers and scientists to discover, recognize, and extract natural reserves like gas, oil, and coal. Geological and petroleum technicians who work mainly in the field compile material samples for examination, whereas those who work in the lab work evaluate these samples for tracks of metals and hydrocarbons to validate the productivity of a particular site.
- Salary (as of 2020): $50,630
- Job growth rate: 5%
n. HVACR Technician
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technicians induct and repair systems that operate a structure’s air quality and temperature. HVACR mechanics also conduct regular maintenance, repairing filters and tidying ducts to ensure the system meets government requirements.
- Job growth rate: 4%
- Salary (as of 2020): $50,590
m. Licensed Practical Nurse
These are also called licensed vocational nurses in certain states, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide fundamental patient care, working under the direction of registered nurses and physicians to care for infants, feed patients who have difficulty eating, and monitor vitals like heart rate and blood pressure. Competent LPNs may occupy leadership roles, supervising non-medical personnel and new functional nurses.
- Salary (as of 2020): $48,820
- Job growth rate: 9%
Trade School Vs College
Unlike the traditional four-year university, which gives students a broad knowledge. A trade school teaches students the technical knowledge and skills required for a specific occupation.
Trade schools can be either private or public. With many operating as for-profit businesses (paid trade schools). potential postsecondary schools, be sure to check that the institution has been accredited before applying.
Conclusion
Getting into skilled trade can be profitable — no matter your age. However, it’s never too late to make the transition and pursue a new opportunity you truly enjoy.
One of the keys to making a successful career change is to invest in yourself through education and training. Learning in-demand, relevant skills from a reputable and accredited school. Plus, being able to freshen up your resume with new skills can be of great benefit as you set out on your job search. Vocational schools ensure a secure job and future.
FAQs on Trade Schools
Does vocational education necessarily have a reputation of being less valuable than university education?
When many people hear about career and technical education (or vocational education), People often envision a dirty facility in the back of the school whenever they hear about career and technical education.
Vocational education programs have taken tremendous steps to ensure relevancy and acquire their spot as a part of every student’s education, regardless of their environment.
Can I complete trade school via an online platform?
Because knowing a trade requires hands-on technical training. Trade schools may be hard to attend online. However, with the eruption of online learning, there are many peculiarities. Some trades, by their nature, can be acquired online such as application software development.
Is trade a good job for me?
Trade jobs are excellent for anyone who enjoys working hands-on. It is also favorable for those who are equipped with a skill already. Trades are a crucial part of life for the whole human society as we are dependent on those with trades to carry out businesses.
How much education does a trade typically take?
Trades differ in the level of education needed to start. Sometimes, as a power line installer and repairer, the trade can start with a high school diploma. People are then instructed in the trade while they begin practical work. These are apprenticeships that can take as little as two years until one is fully equipped in the trade.
Other trades, such as cardiovascular technicians, mostly need either an associate’s degree or certification. A trade may also mandate a bachelor’s degree, such as in web development or construction management.
Will it matter if I find the best trade school programs near me?
Yes! Since attending trade schools would compel physical presence for real training, you could use being near your school. This will also help you minimize your transportation expenses.
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