The Top Trade Schools: How To Choose The Right One

Value of Trade School

Enrolling in a trade school to learn a skilled trade is one of the best decisions a young professional can make today. While traditional four-year colleges have value for some, the high cost and time it takes to get degrees can be prohibitive for others. Comparatively, trade schools offer great returns on investments. Trade schools are often more affordable than traditional colleges and offer quicker paths to the licenses, certifications, and skills necessary to enter the workforce. Trade workers are nearly always in demand and less likely to be negatively impacted by innovations like A.I., which is already upending many industries and careers.

The demand for trade workers is also on the rise, as the United States is facing a wave of baby boomers in retirement, creating a shortage of skilled laborers and a range of open roles in their wake. Trade jobs are in high demand and projected to keep growing. According to NJ.gov, careers like engineering, electrical work, mechanics, and trades such as Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) are all expected to remain in high demand. As a result, trade schools are becoming one of the smartest investments for a career path. It’s more affordable than a traditional four-year college, takes less time to complete, and equips students with practical skills that are not only in-demand but also more resistant to automation, AI, and economic shifts.

But if you have decided to go to a trade school, how do you choose a top trade school that fits your needs? We’ll break down many of the factors worth considering when choosing a top trade school.

What Trades Does a School Teach?

The first question any trade school student should ask themselves: does this school teach the trade they want to learn?

If you’re new to the trade school space, you should be aware that not all trade schools teach every trade. Many trade schools have specialties in training for specific trades like Boilers, HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Welding, Refrigeration, Automotive, etc.

Don’t just enroll in any trade school without first researching whether the school offers a career program in the trade that fits your needs. For instance, schools can help you graduate with licenses or certifications that can be mandatory and help you land jobs quickly. Be familiar with the credentials needed to work in your desired trade, as well as any state requirements. For example, if you're looking on how to become a boiler operator in New Jersey, you'll need to earn a NJ boiler license to work in the field, something a qualified boiler school can help you achieve.

Another important step is checking student reviews to see what others say about their experience at the school, the quality of the education, the support they received, and how successful they were in starting their careers afterward.

Trade School Costs & Affordability

While trade schools are generally more affordable than traditional four-year colleges, it is important to remember that not all trade schools are created equal when it comes to cost and quality. Tuition can vary widely from one program to another, and the bigger brand name schools often come with much higher price tags. However, a higher cost does not always mean a better education.

Remember, the true purpose of trade school is to equip you with the skills and hands-on experience you need to succeed and thrive in the field, not to burden you with unnecessary debt. Many smaller, lesser-known trade schools can offer a more affordable tuition while delivering an even higher quality, more personalized education. As you research your options, keep an open mind and focus on the value each school provides rather than just choosing the most recognizable name. Finding a program that offers strong training and support at a fair cost will give you the best return on your investment and set you up for a strong future without breaking the bank.

Class Flexibility

Now we can get into the finer details of choosing a trade school. If you know what trade you want to learn and have found several schools that teach it, make sure you’re choosing a school and program that fits your needs.

It’s not uncommon for trade school students to have multiple responsibilities to juggle, be it family or professional obligations. It may not be realistic for many people to focus solely on school. If that’s the case for you, look for a trade school program that offers flexibility in its learning options. After all, you don’t want to be part of a rigid program where missing a class means getting left behind.

Trade schools that offer night classes instead of all-day courses can be beneficial for those with other responsibilities. Similarly, there are programs that offer hybrid classes, either in-person or online and remote, which may be helpful for fitting around your life and busy schedule. Some schools also let students schedule hands-on training courses in advance, ensuring you can make the most important lessons.

Furthermore, flexibility could be weighed into how long the courses take. Some programs are fast-tracked to provide you the skills you need to get you field-ready and into the workforce quicker. Take a look at the curiculum and format of each trade school program to understand whether it can work with your schedule. You want to find a trade school that works for you, not the other way around.

Hands-on Training

There is a joke among trade school professionals, if the equipment on campus looks too shiny and new, it’s not being used enough. There is no substitute for getting your hands dirty and learning how to do your future job.

Hands-on training is the best way to learn a trade, and it should be a critical piece of any trade school’s educational program. Textbook learning will be part of any trade school, but there’s no substitute for hands-on learning that allows students to work with the equipment and technology they are going to see in the field.

A good trade school should provide majority of hands-on training as part of their curriculum. This training should focus on simulating and mirroring real-life scenarios you are likely to encounter when entering the field. Whether it’s learning to disassemble and rebuild an AC unit, taking critical instrumental readings on a boiler, or wiring a heat strip into a heat pump system, getting physical experience is the best way to boost your skills and field readiness. For example, if you’re interested in how to become a HVAC technician, a top HVAC school will be set up to provide you with the comprehensive hands-on training needed to succeed in the field.

The equipment you train on matters, too. After all, working on out-dated equipment in a classroom simulation won’t be much use if you enter the field to work with more modern, advanced equipment. These are all things to keep in mind when choosing a top trade school.

Personalized Instruction

Imagine this scenario: You’ve enrolled in a big, brand-name trade school. You’ve rearranged your schedule to make a day-time course. You’re one of several dozen students in class, with just one instructor. You are not quite grasping the concept that is being taught and before you get the chance to ask questions to further understand the concept, the teacher is moving on to a new subject and a new demo. Suddenly, you feel behind in the program and are going to have to carve out extra time to catch back up and understand the material.

This is, unfortunately, a common experience for students at bigger schools. It’s why it’s important to look for a trade school that offers more intimate, personalized instruction and support. Smaller schools can offer more personalized instruction, which will keep you from falling behind. A nimble program that can adjust to your pace can be critical to learning vital skills you’ll need in the field.

It’s important to research what the student-to-teacher ratio is at each trade school, which will signal how personalized and intimate the learning experience could be. The lower the ratio, the more likely the school can provide you a more personalized and supportive learning experience.

More personal learning environments make it easier to build strong relationships with instructors, which can be valuable when you are ready to enter the field. It is much harder to stand out when you are just one of dozens in a crowded classroom. Smaller class sizes with more hands-on training and instructor access can help you stand out, build connections, and even lead to job opportunities later on.

Job Placement Support

One of the benefits of learning a trade is the ability to get into the workforce quicker. But that doesn’t mean learning a trade is an automatic bridge to landing a job. It’s important to find a trade school that doesn’t just prepare you for the professional world but increases your chances of finding employment.

Does the school have a history of success? Is there a track record of students graduating and finding employment? These are questions you should be asking when considering a trade school. You can also check online reviews to hear about other students' experiences after graduation.

Some trade schools also have partnerships with companies or resources that can help with job placement upon graduation. There are other ways schools can set students up for success, whether it’s helping tailor resumes with the right keywords employers look for or offering interview preparation. These added benefits can give you a leg up on the competition as you enter the field.

Finding The Top Trade School

We know it can be overwhelming trying to find the right trade school, but we hope your decision can be made easier by looking for a school that offers the qualities we’ve outlined above.

The reality is that some schools become stuck in their ways and become stagnant in their offerings, they’ve taught trades the same way for years, leaning mostly on textbooks, and focus on moving students through their programs so they can sign more up.

The top trade schools should be focused on your personal success and tailoring the overall experience for you. Ensuring that you learn and absorb the skills needed to succeed, both soft skills and hard skills. They should be flexible in their course offerings, smaller in class size, and nimble in their training methods. The Training Center is proud to offer these qualities as a family-run trade school in New Jersey specializing in boilers, HVAC, refrigeration, and pool operation training programs.