Do trade schools exist anymore?

[LisaR]

I was talking to a friend that has a son that is just not college bound at this time. Nothing wrong with that but they are just starting to look at other options for him. I mentioned some kind of trade school and she said her research has lead her to believe that those types of schools don't really exist anymore.

It looks like some community colleges now offer what a trade school used to offer (certificates in things like cosmetology, heating & cooling, etc).

My friend said the for-profit schools are the ones that offer the things her son is into (gaming, animation) and that those are twice the price of a regular college. He can get a gaming degree (it is only two years so I am assuming it is like an AS) and the cost would be $200,000!

Do trade schools exist anymore? What are some options nowadays for those that aren't ready (and may never be ready) to go to college? I think he is a pretty smart kid but he just hates being in a classroom. He has some LD that are being addressed but school is just not his thing. He is half way through 11th grade.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I was talking to a friend that has a son that is just not college bound at this time. Nothing wrong with that but they are just starting to look at other options for him. I mentioned some kind of trade school and she said her research has lead her to believe that those types of schools don't really exist anymore.

It looks like some community colleges now offer what a trade school used to offer (certificates in things like cosmetology, heating & cooling, etc).

My friend said the for-profit schools are the ones that offer the things her son is into (gaming, animation) and that those are twice the price of a regular college. He can get a gaming degree (it is only two years so I am assuming it is like an AS) and the cost would be $200,000!

Do trade schools exist anymore? What are some options nowadays for those that aren't ready (and may never be ready) to go to college? I think he is a pretty smart kid but he just hates being in a classroom. He has some LD that are being addressed but school is just not his thing. He is half way through 11th grade.

Maybe a visit with the HS guidance counselor might be in order?

 

[Christine]

Yes, they exist and are usually sponsored by the unions.

Depending on what trade, you are interested in, you should look up the local union for the trade.

My husband is a union electrician and our local union had a huge trade school and apprenticeship program for aspiring electricians. It's a great deal. In fact, my coworker's son, who is in his second year of college, is making the switch and will start his apprenticeship in the fall of 2011.

The schools operate much like colleges in that there is an application process. For instance, the electrical one has application deadlines of March each year, the selection happens after that, and "school" starts in September.

 

[LisaR]

Maybe a visit with the HS guidance counselor might be in order?

The push from the high school is that everyone can and should go to college so the mom is looking for other options on her own.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes. We have still tech high schools and trade schools here.

Here is one of our most popular tech colleges that kids come here and live on campus just like a university. Not cheap either. It costs as much as a University.

http://www.ranken.edu/academic/degrees-certificates-available

 

[NotUrsula]

Oh, gracious, yes -- they not only exist, but their enrollment is skyrocketing right now. These days they are usually known as "tech schools" rather than "trade schools".

Here's a recent article in the Post-Dispatch about the popularity of trade schools and the job market here for skilled machinists and tradesmen: http://www.stltoday.com/business/article_2609cfc2-1622-5413-a590-d3edf29b7089.html

The school mentioned in that article, Ranken Tech, happens to be private (and REALLY, REALLY excellent. It is not one of the for-profit schools.) State support for tech school programs varies throughout the country, so in some places private trade schools dominate, while in others the publicly-funded schools are still in the lead.

In many states, "trade school" classes have been rolled into community college programs in order to save money on facilities. The programs are offered by and taught on a community college campus, rather than in a separate location.

PS: I've been told (by people who I trust to know) that formal programs in game design are a total waste of money UNLESS you can get into CalTech or MIT, which are pretty much the only two schools where the industry really recruits. I've been told that the better avenue for getting a job in the field is to learn on your own and independently develop phone games as a side job. If the games you write sell well as apps, the industry will notice you. (I should note that my DS13 is also into this. He has begun developing components for MMORPG games, and he's getting a bit of a following.)

 

[Pigeon]

There are some trade schools here, but you have to be careful. The for-profit schools are often a huge rip-off. Some trades are learned through apprenticeship programs or community colleges.

 

[Myothername]

They definitely do still exist. As a PP wrote we have an apprentice program for the electrician's union here in our town. In that particular program you work for an electrical contracting company but it is all arranged by the union. You are basically a gofer at first and they work your tail off. Then after a few months you start night classes. Those last about 2 years but once you get out you have your journeyman's license and are close to getting a degree in electrical engineering. DS tried it but it was just not his thing. He is now going for a criminal justice degree. But the local community colleges here have programs for welding, AC repair, and one that a friend's son is doing is to become a lineman for a power company. They are all about 1-2 years long and you are pretty much guaranteed a job when you get out. But I can't believe someone would pay $200,000 for a gaming degree. I can't believe you would ever make enough money to even pay back those loans.

 

[shirleyb]

I see them advertise on TV all the time, but I have no idea if they are any good. I would think the best bet would be to talk to several people in the field he is interested in, and get their recommendations for schooling.

 

[Christine]

They definitely do still exist. As a PP wrote we have an apprentice program for the electrician's union here in our town. In that particular program you work for an electrical contracting company but it is all arranged by the union. You are basically a gofer at first and they work your tail off. Then after a few months you start night classes. Those last about 2 years but once you get out you have your journeyman's license and are close to getting a degree in electrical engineering. DS tried it but it was just not his thing. He is now going for a criminal justice degree. But the local community colleges here have programs for welding, AC repair, and one that a friend's son is doing is to become a lineman for a power company. They are all about 1-2 years long and you are pretty much guaranteed a job when you get out. But I can't believe someone would pay $200,000 for a gaming degree. I can't believe you would ever make enough money to even pay back those loans.

Our electrical apprenticeship is a 5 year program. The good news is that you have a job the whole time with ever-increasing pay. You don't pay one dime to attend the school.

 

[allyphoe]

Our state has a really good Vo-Tech system. You can do dual enrollment for free during high school, but even as an adult the classes are inexpensive.

 

[BEloveDisney]

I was talking to a friend that has a son that is just not college bound at this time. Nothing wrong with that but they are just starting to look at other options for him. I mentioned some kind of trade school and she said her research has lead her to believe that those types of schools don't really exist anymore.

It looks like some community colleges now offer what a trade school used to offer (certificates in things like cosmetology, heating & cooling, etc).

My friend said the for-profit schools are the ones that offer the things her son is into (gaming, animation) and that those are twice the price of a regular college. He can get a gaming degree (it is only two years so I am assuming it is like an AS) and the cost would be $200,000!

Do trade schools exist anymore? What are some options nowadays for those that aren't ready (and may never be ready) to go to college? I think he is a pretty smart kid but he just hates being in a classroom. He has some LD that are being addressed but school is just not his thing. He is half way through 11th grade.

I work at a trade/vo-tech type post-secondary school for kids with various disabilities. Most have LD stuff going on. I'm in Pennsylvania. Send me if you want more info.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks for all the replies. You have given me some good ideas and options to forward to her. For starters, I think she needs to start using the word tech in her searches instead of trade schools.

She is just in the beginning stages of looking at options. I think she was really banking on her son going to a regular university all this time and this seems to have caught her off guard for a moment. I am very happy that she is accepting it instead of trying to guilt him into college.

 

[momof1princess]

there is no such thing as a trade school in my area, unless you begin classes while in high school, then you go to the high school level "trade school" 2-3 days a week. our local community college has filled the gap by offering cosmetology, electrial, hvac, and other courses. i graduated from a business college in 1993, and it went out of business several years ago.

 

[estherhead]

I'm VP of an HVAC company. We don't hire from trade schools. We hire from high school. It takes 18 months for us to train a high school kid to be a low level tech. We know it's a risk because they can leave us at any time. But they are cheap so it's a risk we are willing to take. Then we pay for them to take their certification test. Then it's not until four years till they can work on their own. We are ALWAYS looking for quality guys.

The requirements are they have to work hard, no drugs, obvious mechanical abilities. And they make very little money those first 18 months. But they also aren't throwing money down the drain at an expensive trade school. Part of our interview process is to have them draw a blue print for a lidded box. If they can't, they can't work for us as a tech.

We have found that degrees in HVAC mean a kid can study & take tests. We don't need that skill. We need guys that can look at a ball of wires and know what goes to what and how to hook up new wires to the that. We need guys who are good with their hands, not with pen and paper.

A lot of our techs have worked for us for 20 years+ And between us and the other HVAC dealers in our area the ones who are good have good job security and good money, benefits, etc.

The only thing I don't know about is unions. We aren't unionized in our area so they would have to find out those rules. My father in law was a unionized electrician his whole career. He didn't go to school. He did a two year apprenticeship. But that was YEARS ago.

Does this boy rip apart engines an electronics for fun? If so, have them contact the local companies and try to get him an after school or summer job as a warehouseman or runner. If they like him, he can make his intentions of being a tech known. As hard as it is to find a good technician I'd be shocked if they didn't say yes.

 

[LisaR]

I'm VP of an HVAC company. We don't hire from trade schools. We hire from high school. It takes 18 months for us to train a high school kid to be a low level tech. We know it's a risk because they can leave us at any time. But they are cheap so it's a risk we are willing to take. Then we pay for them to take their certification test. Then it's not until four years till they can work on their own. We are ALWAYS looking for quality guys.

The requirements are they have to work hard, no drugs, obvious mechanical abilities. And they make very little money those first 18 months. But they also aren't throwing money down the drain at an expensive trade school. Part of our interview process is to have them draw a blue print for a lidded box. If they can't, they can't work for us as a tech.

We have found that degrees in HVAC mean a kid can study & take tests. We don't need that skill. We need guys that can look at a ball of wires and know what goes to what and how to hook up new wires to the that. We need guys who are good with their hands, not with pen and paper.

A lot of our techs have worked for us for 20 years+ And between us and the other HVAC dealers in our area the ones who are good have good job security and good money, benefits, etc.

The only thing I don't know about is unions. We aren't unionized in our area so they would have to find out those rules. My father in law was a unionized electrician his whole career. He didn't go to school. He did a two year apprenticeship. But that was YEARS ago.

Does this boy rip apart engines an electronics for fun? If so, have them contact the local companies and try to get him an after school or summer job as a warehouseman or runner. If they like him, he can make his intentions of being a tech known. As hard as it is to find a good technician I'd be shocked if they didn't say yes.

This is really cool! It sounds like your company really helps those that are willing to help themselves.

No, this kid is more into computers (gaming and animation). I don't think tearing apart engines is his thing. I think he might be good at repairing computers but I don't know that for a fact. I think most teen boys think they are going to design the latest, greatest games but most either wise up or do something more than just play video games and wait to hit it big.

 

[scrapquitler]

In many states, "trade school" classes have been rolled into community college programs in order to save money on facilities. The programs are offered by and taught on a community college campus, rather than in a separate location.

This is what they did here in CT. The state technical colleges are now part of the community college system, but the programs are definitely available in the community colleges.

The 'trade schools' are also available in the 'for profit' realm, Itt tech, Goodwin College, and some of the others are still available here in CT (I cant' remember the names right now).

Besides that, the local technical high schools might also offer adult training programs in the evening, or at least they did/do around here.

Consider this: if the technical schools ceased to exist, who would fix your toilet, your heat, your car, etc? Of course they still exist, and probably always will.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This is really cool! It sounds like your company really helps those that are willing to help themselves.

No, this kid is more into computers (gaming and animation). I don't think tearing apart engines is his thing. I think he might be good at repairing computers but I don't know that for a fact. I think most teen boys think they are going to design the latest, greatest games but most either wise up or do something more than just play video games and wait to hit it big.

Have him look at the companies he wants to work for and look at the requirements.

That is what I am doing for my youngest. She has an idea of what she wants to do so I went and looked up employment. We are looking at Fleishman Hillard, which is a international communications company.

Start with Microsoft and go from there.

 

[LisaR]

I just looked at our local community college to see what they offer. I haven't spent much time looking at their AS, AAS and certificate programs since my DD is going for her AA and that is all I am familiar with.

Wow! They offer a ton of different programs. They also offer a nice description of what you can do with the degree/certificate. They have computer IT, programming, analysis, and a whole slew of options in other fields. My friend lives in a different state but I will have her check into her local community college to see if they offer the same things.

I am going to have to look at some of these programs for my son when the time comes. He is only 13 so there is plenty of time but I can see some of these programs appealing to him more so than what my DD is taking to get her AA. It is nice to know that there are other options out there.

 

[NotUrsula]

Have him look at the companies he wants to work for and look at the requirements.

...

Start with Microsoft and go from there.

[chuckle] Obviously you don't live with a serious gamer. Microsoft is not at all the kind of place the average gamer is interested in working.

Blizzard Entertainment would be more relevant. (Blizzard owns World of Warcraft and controls over 50% of the MMORPG market.)

Most of the folks who work full-time in the industry have engineering/design backgrounds. They do want gamers with native talent, but the established companies for the most part also want those people to have degrees and be able to code, because when the work you do is that popular and has so many candidates lined up, well, why not?

It is quite common for people who do this to have a professional day job for several years outside the industry while they work up a game resume that is good enough to merit an interview.