10 Best Trade Schools inMontgomery, AL

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Trade schools, also called vocational schools or career centers, offer a real alternative to students who want to build a successful career but can’t afford a four-year college.

This page compiles information about some of the best trade schools in Montgomery.

The institutions selected by us prepare students for employment in high-demand industries, such as allied health or skilled trades.

We invite you to read our list and explore all your educational options before choosing your future career.



1Montgomery Dental Assistant School

Montgomery Dental Assistant School provides training focused on hands-on learning for future dental assistants.

The school’s low student-to-instructor ratio enables students to receive individual attention from the teacher.

Classes are taught on Saturdays for 9 weeks.

The school hires qualified and experienced instructors who are either dental assistants of dental professionals.

The school’s career services team assists students with finding a job after graduation.

The school is licensed and regulated by the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

Graduates can practice as dental assistants at any office in Alabama.

Enrollment. The first step is to schedule an admissions appointment.

Then you will be invited to tour the school and fill out an application.

Once your application is processed, your enrollment is complete.

Fees. Tuition is $2,450, if paid in full.

Tuition includes a set of scrubs and all supplies and materials needed for class.

Two weekly payment plans are also available.

Contact information:


2Fortis College at Atlanta Highway

Fortis College at Atlanta Highway provides education and training that prepares students for careers in the health care field or skilled trades.

Upon completion of the programs, students will be prepared for entry-level employment in their fields.

Fortis College Montgomery is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) as a non-main campus of Fortis College, located in Mobile.

The college is licensed through the Private School Licensure Division of the Alabama Community College System and authorized to offer its programs for the training of Veterans through the Alabama State Approving Agency.

Enrollment. Applicants must be high school graduates or hold an equivalent diploma.

All applicants are required to complete a personal information sheet.

During a personal interview, the admissions staff will review your career goals to help you find the right program to fit your needs.

Fees. Tuition is $15,899 for the Medical Assisting program, $18,854 for the HVAC-R program and $19,543 for the Dental Assisting program.

Financial aid is also available to qualifying students.

Courses offered:

  • Dental Assisting
  • Medical Assisting
  • HVAC

Contact information:


3Fortis Colleg at Eastdale Circle

Fortis Colleg at Eastdale Circle provides postsecondary career education for future pharmacy technicians.

The Pharmacy Technician program teaches students about basic pharmaceutical calculations, medications, complications and side effects and gets them ready for employment in hospitals, clinics, and retail pharmacies.

Fortis College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting
Bureau of Health Educations.

Fortis College is licensed by the Private School Licensure
Division of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary
Education.

Enrollment. Applicants must be high school graduates or possess the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma.

Students must be at least 17 years of age at the time they start the program.

Applicants must complete an applicant information form and interview with an admissions representative or other administrative staff.

Applicants, who otherwise meet the requirements, will be given the opportunity to take the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam.

Fees. The total cost of the Pharmacy Technician Diploma program is $16,246.

Financial aid is also available to qualifying students.

Courses offered:

  • Pharmacy Technician

Contact information:


4Montgomery School of Bodywork and Massage

Montgomery School of Bodywork and Massage trains future massage therapists and equips them with the knowledge and marketable skills necessary to be able to step into any work environment upon graduation.

In order to be licensed as a massage therapist in Alabama, you must attend a school approved by the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy and you must pass the Massage and Body Work Licensing Exam (MBLEx).

Montgomery School of Bodywork and Massage has an 80% pass rate at the MBLEX exam.

The school offers on-site full-time and part-time programs as well as online programs (full-time, part-time and weekend).

Students enrolled in the online program take the “book learning” classes online and the “hands-on” training at the Montgomery campus.

The program offered by Montgomery School of Bodywork and Massage is licensed/approved by the Alabama Board of Massage therapy and the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Upon graduation, students will receive three certifications in Therapeutic Massage, Orthopedic Massage, and Thai Massage.

Fees. The registration fee is $75 and tuition is $7,500.

Additional fees include $400 for supplies, $300-$700 for equipment and $320 testing & licensing fee.

Contact information:


5Montgomery Job Corps Center

Montgomery Job Corps Center teaches the skills that help students succeed in today’s workforce at no cost to the student or his/her family.

Students in the Maintenance and Light Repair program learn how to use trade-related hand power tools, how to do maintenance and operation of refrigeration units, how to troubleshoot and repair electrical components, boiler service, pump installation and repair and much more.

After graduating from the Maintenance and Light Repair program students have the hands-on training and education needed to qualify for apprenticeships.

The Medical Assisting program teaches students how to prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, how to interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, how to assist physicians during exams and much more.

Students in the Material Handling and Distribution Operations learn how to move stock or other materials from one location to another, how to use warehouse management software, how to read work orders and more.

The programs can be completed in over 18 months.

Courses offered:

Job Corps offers the following programs in Montgomery:

  • Automotive and Machine Repair – Maintenance and Light Repair
  • Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Material Handling and Distribution Operations

Contact information:


6Box Aviation

Box Aviation is based at the Montgomery Regional (Dannelly Field) Airport and provides flight training, aircraft maintenance, avionics, scenic flights, and other aviation services.

The school is a family-owned business and has been serving the community since 2011.

Students learn from instructors with thousands of flight hours of combined experience.

The school’s aircraft includes a Cessna 152, two Piper Cherokee 180, Cessna 172S, Cessna 182 and Piper Aztec.

Potential students can schedule a 30-minute Discovery Flight to see if flying is right for them.

Enrollment. The first step in the enrollment process is to complete a contact form on the school’s website.

Fees. Rental fees vary by aircraft.

The rental rate starts at $95 /hr for a Cessna 152 and can go up to $175 /hr for Cessna 182.

Contact information:

  • Box Aviation: 4521 Selma Hwy, Montgomery, AL 36108, USA (Located in Montgomery Regional Airport)
  • Phone:
  • Email: MGM@BoxAviation.com
  • Website: http://www.boxaviation.com

7Hole in the Clouds

Hole in the Clouds provides flying lessons for future private and commercial pilots.

The school’s services include flight reviews, private pilot license, instrument rating, commercial pilot license, and CFI license.

Students train with FAA Certified instructors.

Each lesson includes a detailed syllabus, ground instruction, and flight training.

Potential students can schedule a discovery flight for $99; they will have the chance to take the controls and see what it’s like to soar through the sky.

Fees. Fees vary depending on the program and aircraft.

The school offers a private pilot package for $8,500.

The package includes 50 hours of the plane rental, 45 hours of instruction, books and pilot headset.

One hour of aircraft rental is $130; a 5-hour block is $615 and a 10-hour block is $1,170.

Contact information:


8Central Alabama Dental Assisting School

Central Alabama Dental Assisting School offers a 10-week-long dental assisting course.

The 80 hours of training include lecture material and clinical hands-on training.

The classes are taught on Saturdays.

The course is given three times per year.

All training is done by dental professionals in a practicing dental office; students will be trained in all phases of general dentistry as well as specialties.

During the program, students learn dental theory and terminology, front desk office management, four-handed dental assisting, radiology, impressions and model trimming, cements and liners, sterilization and job interview.

Students receive job referral in addition to job interview training.

The school also provides X-ray training compliant with all state regulations in dental radiology.

Graduates will be awarded a Certificate in Dental Assisting and a Dental Assistant pin.

A Letter of Recommendation outlining the student’s training and experience will be awarded to those who have attained a 75% or above grade average.

Contact information:


9Trenholm State Community College

Trenholm State Community College provides associate degree and certificate programs designed to prepare students for careers in allied health or technology.

Students can choose from a wide variety of career-focused technical programs for high-demand fields such as culinary arts, collision repair, and skilled trades.

The school also offers training programs for future allied health professionals.

Allied health students receive many hours of clinical hands-on experience designed to help them become job-ready after graduation.

Trenholm State Community College is accredited by the Council on
Occupational Education.

Enrollment. Application requirements vary by program.

Applicants to the Career Technical programs must submit a completed ECEP application and complete the Accuplacer Test by May 1st prior to entering the fall semester, or March 1st before entering the summer semester.

Applicants must complete the 10th grade prior to admission.

Fees. Tuition is $155 per credit hour.

Courses offered:

  • Dental Assisting
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Medical Assisting Technology
  • Practical Nursing
  • Radiology
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Ultrasound
  • Automotive & Transportation
  • Cosmetology
  • Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management
  • Graphic Design
  • Engineering Technologies

Contact information:


10Postural Bodyworks Institute

Postural Bodyworks Institute is offering training programs for those who want to build a career in massage therapy.

Anthony Allegro and Jacob Laputka, the school’s massage instructors and Alabama Licensed Massage Therapists (LMT), co-founded PBI in 2012.

During the 766-hour course, students learn anatomy & physiology, pathology, massage theory & history, massage therapy, neuromuscular therapy, postural assessment & movement evaluation, structural bodywork, hydrotherapy, sports massage, business, wellness and more.

Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion and are eligible to apply for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination and to pursue board certification with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Enrollment. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, be high school graduates or possess a GED equivalent.

Applicants are required to have a personal interview with at least one member of the school’s staff.

A letter of reference is also required.

Contact information:


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants540$50,030$24.06$72,920$27,860
Medical Records Specialists180$40,280$19.36$58,360$27,990
Nursing Assistants1,580$27,960$13.44$35,930$23,220
Dental Assistants330$37,440$18$48,230$28,750
Medical Assistants820$31,520$15.16$38,180$24,680
Phlebotomists260$31,970$15.37$39,730$25,780
Electricians590$47,760$22.96$66,960$30,800
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters350$49,210$23.66$63,790$30,830
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics640$44,430$21.36$67,060$26,870
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers390$46,310$22.26$63,410$29,640
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Montgomery, AL metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

If you decided that a trade school is a path you want to follow, the next step is to choose the institution that will best prepare you for your future career.

This is a big decision, you have to take your time and compare all the educational programs available in your field.

Take into account important factors, such as accreditation, tuition, schedule, graduation rate, and student reviews.

Make sure the school you select is trustworthy and suited to your educational needs and professional goals.


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