How To Choose a Trade School

Interested in attending a trade school but not sure which one to choose? There are a few factors that you should look for and what to consider when choosing a trade school.

How to Choose a Trade School

When choosing a secondary education, you have options.

Many choose to attend a 4-year college to obtain degrees that may or may not prepare them for a career. A better option is a trade school that teaches you a job skill and allows you to start a life-long career.

While 4-year colleges have you start with electives to make you a well-rounded student, trade schools only focus on the necessary skills you need to start working after graduation.
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a trade school:

• Class size
• Whether the trade school hires industry-experienced instructors
• If they have received awards and been accredited
• What programs are offered
• If they help with finding jobs

Class Sizes

Don’t want to be just another student in a large classroom? Attending a trade school that offers smaller classes sizes, means you can get one-on-one attention from instructors and can make close relationships with fellow classmates.

Industry-Experienced Instructors

Take the time to talk with instructors at the trade school you are interested in. Many trade schools offer campus tours and allow you to sit in on classes and workshops.
Ask the instructors for information about the trade school and get to know their teaching style to make sure it fits your educational needs.

Awards and Accolades

Another great way to choose the right trade school for you is to see which awards and accolades they have received from community associations.
These associations research the trade school to better understand instructor credentials, graduation rates, student satisfaction and financial aid opportunities. These factors will decide which trade school should receive awards and accolades.

Did you know that the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC) announced Tulsa Welding School (TWS) in Jacksonville as the 2022 School of the Year?
FAPSC represents more than 200 career-oriented schools, and administers the School of the Year Award, recognizing efforts that improve student learning outcomes, support faculty excellence, and enhance the community.

Accreditation

When choosing a trade school, it is important that the school is accredited by local and state organizations that hold institutions to high standards.

These accreditation associations consider many factors when choosing to offer accreditation to a higher education institution. From management and administrative operations to program requirements and faculty qualifications, associations strive to promote trade schools that have exceptional track records and offer positive student achievement.

In addition to many accreditations for individual campuses, TWS Is Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Along with accreditation, licenses, and memberships; the Tulsa campus is licensed by the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools.

The Jacksonville campus is licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education.

The Houston campus is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission Career School and Colleges.

Programs Offered

There are many rewarding trades to choose from. HVAC, electrician, and welding are a few of the more popular trades with a growing demand for trade professionals.

Tulsa Welding School offers these programs for students that want a quick start to a rewarding career.

Professional Welder Program – this trade program can be completed in as little as 7 months and is offered at the Tulsa, OK, Jacksonville, FL, & Houston, TX, campuses. This program trains you in structural welding, fluxcore welding and pipe welding.

Refrigeration Technologies Program – this HVAC trade program can be completed in as little as 7 months and is offered at the Tulsa, OK, Jacksonville, FL & Houston, TX campuses. The Refrigeration Technologies program trains you in the fundamentals of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technologies (HVAC/R). This hands-on training program prepares you for entry-level job opportunities in refrigeration service and maintenance.

Electro-Mechanical Technologies Program – this HVAC trade program can be completed in as little as 9 months and is offered at the Tulsa, OK, Jacksonville, FL, & Houston, TX, campuses. Along with HVAC/R, this program teaches the fundamentals of electricity, residential and commercial wiring, and comfort systems. This program also introduces you to solar energy technology and provides an overview of photovoltaic (PV) science.

Electrical Applications Program – this trade program can be completed in as little as 7 months and is offered at the Tulsa, OK, Jacksonville, FL, & Houston, TX, campuses. This in-depth program teaches you about the fundamentals of mechanical and electrical principles, residential and commercial wiring and more.

Employment Assistance

An important factor that you can look for in a trade school is employment assistance. Is the trade school actively helping you find job opportunities after graduation? Do they have connections with skilled trades employers.

At Tulsa Welding School, we have a dedicated Career Services Department that works with both local and nation-wide employers to help you find job opportunities after graduation.
In addition to employment assistance, we help you prepare your resume, improve your interview skills, prepare for trade testing, and offer on-campus employer recruitment testing for graduates.

Trade and Career Training

Take the next step toward an exciting career! The TWS team is here to help you through every step of the training process.
Tulsa Welding School offers programs with flexible class schedules and some scholarship opportunities for qualifying students. To learn more about enrollment, call 1-855-437-7711.