Carpentry, tile setting, agricultural mechanization and management, carpet installation, heavy equipment mechanics, gunsmithing, heating and air technology, electrical installation...want me to go on? There is an entire world FULL of "trade" careers, far more than most people imagine. Let us show you where you can learn some skills for a terrific career!
NOTE: We do not list the traditional local Vocational and Trade Schools as that information is easily available. There are thousands of Trade and Tech schools and we could never list them all here! We share schools that specialize, or offer unusual courses that lead to less traditional careers. We hope you gain new ideas here and that this expands your thinking!
NOTE: We do not list the traditional local Vocational and Trade Schools as that information is easily available. There are thousands of Trade and Tech schools and we could never list them all here! We share schools that specialize, or offer unusual courses that lead to less traditional careers. We hope you gain new ideas here and that this expands your thinking!
Accelerated Technical Training Institute
In addition to the traditional trades of plumbing, carpentry and electrical, this trade school in Idaho also has certificate courses in Multi-Trade Technician and Facilities Maintenance Technician. They also offer Locksmithing!
Electrical Training Alliance
Training and apprenticeships from the leading publisher of textbooks and training materials for the electrical industry. Offering a joint training program between the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) aimed at training the best electrical workers the industry has to offer.
Elevator Repair
An interesting career is in elevator repair! Learn all about training and certifications required to be an elevator repair technician through this resource.
IYRS School of Technology and Trade
School in Newport, Rhode Island which offers a fully-immersive training program for Boatbuilding&Restoration.
Marine Trade Schools
WOW! This is a SUPER Sized list of links to programs all over the United States that focus solely on Marine Technology, Boat Building and Repair, Marine Systems, and Restoration.
McPherson College Auto Restoration
Do you have a car buff? How about a REAL degree in automotive restoration! Makes college sound really enticing, doesn’t it?
Mike Rowe Works (of TV's "Dirty Jobs" fame)
What a terrific scholarship web site for those interested in learning a trade! Mike Rowe has become an ardent advocate of the trades and technical fields, and his site can help get your young person excited about the possibilities and it celebrates our hard working men and woman who are skilled in areas that have long been cast aside as "unworthy". Mike Rowe is changing all of that, and I encourage you to check out his site.
The Peterson School
Offering a few unusual courses of study alongside more traditional HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing, The Peterson School can train you for careers in 10-15 weeks! Facilities Technician, Fire Alarm Systems, and Oil Heating Technicians can be trained here.
Universal Technical Institute
Do you have a student who loves machines? Are they interested in training to repair everything from standard vehicles to boats to motorcycles NASCAR engines? With campuses in several locations throughout the United States, UTI is definitely worth a look. They have trained thousands of students to be mechanics (Full disclosure...my own husband attended UTI in Phoenix when he was young, but went in another direction for his career) and they offer a solid program in many specialized fields.
Williamson College of the Trades
This is the most AMAZING school. I seldom get hyperbolic about a school, but this one will provide your young man an opportunity unlike any other you will ever find. Seriously, it is that good. PLEASE take a look at this school, particularly if yours is a financially struggling family who has a young man wanting to enter the trades. This is a FREE men's vocational junior college located in Middleton Township, PA. They accept 25% of all applications and give preference to those in financial need. This is an education unlike any other, which is far more well rounded than just learning a trade. Academics, character, business, and more are taught in this 3 year program. ALL accepted students are enrolled on a FULL scholarship which includes room, board, tuition, and textbooks. You read that right. You need to check out their web site and see their stunning New England campus. This doesn't feel like a trade school, this feels like the Ivy League. Very special young men with talent, character and drive are accepted here, and funding won't stop them from gaining an education that will allow them to step out into the world with confidence and skills. This may be the best link on our entire web site!!
In addition to the traditional trades of plumbing, carpentry and electrical, this trade school in Idaho also has certificate courses in Multi-Trade Technician and Facilities Maintenance Technician. They also offer Locksmithing!
Electrical Training Alliance
Training and apprenticeships from the leading publisher of textbooks and training materials for the electrical industry. Offering a joint training program between the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) aimed at training the best electrical workers the industry has to offer.
Elevator Repair
An interesting career is in elevator repair! Learn all about training and certifications required to be an elevator repair technician through this resource.
IYRS School of Technology and Trade
School in Newport, Rhode Island which offers a fully-immersive training program for Boatbuilding&Restoration.
Marine Trade Schools
WOW! This is a SUPER Sized list of links to programs all over the United States that focus solely on Marine Technology, Boat Building and Repair, Marine Systems, and Restoration.
McPherson College Auto Restoration
Do you have a car buff? How about a REAL degree in automotive restoration! Makes college sound really enticing, doesn’t it?
Mike Rowe Works (of TV's "Dirty Jobs" fame)
What a terrific scholarship web site for those interested in learning a trade! Mike Rowe has become an ardent advocate of the trades and technical fields, and his site can help get your young person excited about the possibilities and it celebrates our hard working men and woman who are skilled in areas that have long been cast aside as "unworthy". Mike Rowe is changing all of that, and I encourage you to check out his site.
The Peterson School
Offering a few unusual courses of study alongside more traditional HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing, The Peterson School can train you for careers in 10-15 weeks! Facilities Technician, Fire Alarm Systems, and Oil Heating Technicians can be trained here.
Universal Technical Institute
Do you have a student who loves machines? Are they interested in training to repair everything from standard vehicles to boats to motorcycles NASCAR engines? With campuses in several locations throughout the United States, UTI is definitely worth a look. They have trained thousands of students to be mechanics (Full disclosure...my own husband attended UTI in Phoenix when he was young, but went in another direction for his career) and they offer a solid program in many specialized fields.
Williamson College of the Trades
This is the most AMAZING school. I seldom get hyperbolic about a school, but this one will provide your young man an opportunity unlike any other you will ever find. Seriously, it is that good. PLEASE take a look at this school, particularly if yours is a financially struggling family who has a young man wanting to enter the trades. This is a FREE men's vocational junior college located in Middleton Township, PA. They accept 25% of all applications and give preference to those in financial need. This is an education unlike any other, which is far more well rounded than just learning a trade. Academics, character, business, and more are taught in this 3 year program. ALL accepted students are enrolled on a FULL scholarship which includes room, board, tuition, and textbooks. You read that right. You need to check out their web site and see their stunning New England campus. This doesn't feel like a trade school, this feels like the Ivy League. Very special young men with talent, character and drive are accepted here, and funding won't stop them from gaining an education that will allow them to step out into the world with confidence and skills. This may be the best link on our entire web site!!