What are Trade Schools?
The skilled trades are jobs that require special skills. They’re found in industries like automotive, manufacturing, energy, healthcare and technology. Skilled industrial trades include jobs like mechanics, welders, machinists and collision repairers. Skilled service trades feature jobs like nurses, therapists and healthcare aides. In construction, skilled trades jobs include plumbers, carpenters and electricians. Trade schools teach students everything they need to know from the ground up, so in most cases, no prior experience or training is needed.
What Do You Learn at a Trade School?
That depends on the trade you’re studying. In auto mechanic school, for example, you’ll learn the skills you need to be an entry-level automotive technician. Classes may be a combination of in-person lectures, online training and hands-on work in a lab using real equipment. Students take courses like Automotive Engines Service & Repair, Automotive Climate Control Systems & Repair, and Vehicle Brake Systems.
At any type of trade school you attend, from dental hygienist trade school to marine mechanic school, you can expect to be prepared for an entry-level career in your chosen trade. Look at the curriculum a technical school offers to see if it aligns with your career goals.
At any type of trade school you attend, from dental hygienist trade school to marine mechanic school, you can expect to be prepared for an entry-level career in your chosen trade. Look at the curriculum a technical school offers to see if it aligns with your career goals.
Explore the Trades
Click here to explore what the trades have to offer
High Demand Trades in the Inland Empire/Desert Region
The following document lists in-demand occupations in the Inland Empire that are projected to have 100 annual job openings or greater over the next five years (most of the jobs have median hourly earnings of over $22 an hour).
| coe-inlandempire-top-critical-workforce-final.pdf |
Some Examples of Trade Schools
(Click on the subject for more information):
- Cosmetology
- Electrical maintenance and installation
- Collision repair
- Carpentry
- Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR)
- Interior Design
- Welding
- Computer technology
- Massage therapy
- Hotel and restaurant management
- Motorcycle repair and maintenance
- Floral design
- Automotive repair and maintenance
- Locksmithing
- Diesel maintenance and repair
- Culinary arts
- Nursing
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Heat and Frost Insulators
- Woodworking
Local Colleges that Offer Career Education Programs
- Palomar College
- Located in San Marcos, California, approximately 30 miles north of San Diego. Palomar enrolls approximately 30,000 full-time and part-time students. Residents of California are charged only $46 per unit. At Palomar, students may choose from over 200 associate degree and certificate programs, complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, or enjoy personal enrichment classes for lifelong learning.
- Cerrito College
- Located in the City of Norwalk, California, near the intersection of Interstates 5, 605, the 105 and State Route 91. At $46 per unit, you get the best value for your education with less debt. You can transfer to your dream school for a fraction of the cost of a four-year college, stay close to home and save on career training to secure a high-paying job. Our campus features new and renovated modern facilities.