Not all students feel as if a four-year college degree is the right path for them.
Vocational schools and technical colleges can teach hands-on skills for specific careers. While college students tend to receive a broad education in the liberal arts and humanities, students at trade schools focus on specialized job training in high-demand fields, such as carpentry, welding and heating ventilation.
Trade schools, which can be either public or private, also offer a shorter timeline and less expensive financial contribution than college.
The following list includes trade schools in Western Pennsylvania and what they offer students.
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Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate – Located in O’Hara, the school offers broker’s classes and continuing education options.
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All-State Career School – Located in West Mifflin, All-State Career School has nursing, dental, medical, skilled trades, commercial driving and business programs.
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A.W. Beattie Career Center – offers 20 programs to students in nine Allegheny County school districts. Programs include carpentry, building construction, HVAC, culinary arts, automotive and more.
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Bidwell Training Center – Located in Pittsburgh’s Chateau neighborhood, Bidwell Training Center has several programs including chemical laboratory technician, culinary arts, medical assistant, horticulture technology, medical coder/biller and pharmacy technician.
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Forbes Road Career and Technology Center – offers 17 programs to students in nine school districts. Programs include advertising design, diesel technology, cosmetology, landscape design and more.
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Institute of Medical & Business Careers – Has locations in Pittsburgh and Erie. Offers medical-based programs like dental assisting, medical assisting with phlebotomy, medical assisting technician, medical billing and coding, medical office administration and medical records technician.
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New Century Careers – Located in Pittsburgh’s South Side, the school’s programs include manufacturing, robotics, machinist and STEM initiatives.
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Parkway West Career and Technology Center – offers 16 programs to students at 12 school districts. Programs include cyber security, healthcare occupations technology, veterinary assistant technology and more.
- Penn Commercial Business/Technical School – Located in Washington, the school offers more than 12 programs, including welding, cosmetology, electrician and HVAC.
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Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics – Hailed as one of the first aviation maintenance schools, PIA offers an aviation maintenance technology program and an aviation electronics technology program.
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Pittsburgh Technical College – North Fayette-based Pittsburgh Technical College has over 30 career-focused programs that include internships, career exploration capstones and clinical rotations.
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Rosedale Technical College – The Kennedy-based school focuses on automotive and collision repair, welding, electrical, diesel, HVAC and truck driving.
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Steel Center for Career and Technical Education – offers 19 programs to students in 11 school districts. Programs include medical professions, sports medicine, welding and more.
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South Hills and North Hills Beauty Academy – offers programs in cosmetology and hair design, manicuring and nail design, and esthetics-skin care and make-up. Advanced education classes include chemical peels and microdermabrasion, airbrush make-up, spray tanning and eyelash extensions.
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Trade Institute of Pittsburgh – Located in Homewood, Trade Institute offers a 10-week tuition-free training program in masonry and carpentry, life skills courses and social service supports.
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Triangle Tech – With locations across the state including Pittsburgh and Greensburg, Triangle Tech has various programs including CADD; maintenance electricity and construction technology; refrigeration, heating ventilation and air conditioning; carpentry; and welding.
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Vet Tech Institute – Located Downtown, the school offers an 18-month program that trains students in becoming a veterinary technician.
First Published: March 17, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
