Trade SchoolsTrade schools, sometimes also called vocational schools or technical schools, are educational institutions that provide career training programs for students who want to learn the skills needed to get a job right after graduation.
This page takes a look at the best trade schools available to Bridgeport students.
The aim is to help you choose the school that is best suited to your educational needs and professional aspirations.
The institutions included in our list provide training for future allied health professionals, cosmetologists, mechanics and more.
Let’s see what Bridgeport trade schools have to offer.
1Millennium Academy of Hair
Millennium Academy of Hair is providing training classes for future professionals in the beauty industry.
The school was founded in April of 2000.
The Academy is offering a Cosmetology course and a Barbering course.
The Cosmetology course is designed to help students develop the practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and professional attitudes for success in the profession.
The full-time Hairdressing/Cosmetology program can be completed in 13 months.
After graduation students are ready to pass the Connecticut State Board licensing examination.
After successfully passing the state board exam, students are qualified to work as a licensed cosmetologist in Connecticut.
The 1000-hours Barbering program combines classroom instruction and laboratory training to help students develop academic and professional knowledge and skills.
The course covers topics such as safety, sanitation, hair treatments and manipulations, haircutting techniques, shaving, skincare, reception, sales, and management.
The part-time Barbering program can be completed in 18 months.
The curriculum meets state licensing requirements of the Connecticut State Board of Barbering.
After successfully passing the State Board licensing exam, the student can be employed as a barber, salon/shop manager, or a salon/shop owner.
Courses offered:
- Cosmetology
- Barbering
Contact information:
- Millennium Academy of Hair: 251 North Ave, Bridgeport, CT
- Phone: (203) 549-9911
- Website: http://www.millenniumacademyofhair.com
2New England Tractor Trailer Training School
New England Tractor Trailer Training School (NETTS) is a CDL training school founded in 1965.
The school trains students from across Connecticut, parts of New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire at its four campuses.
NETTS offers Class A and Class B training programs.
Class B is the second heaviest weight class of commercial vehicles.
The CDL instructors are experienced, industry professionals.
CDL A students learn how to maneuver and inspect a tractor-trailer, while also having the opportunity to learn by watching their classmates.
Students who graduate from the Class A CDL training program also receive a Certificate of Completion for Defensive Driving course from the National Safety Council.
Federal PELL grants and Federal Direct loans are also available to qualifying students.
Agency and private funding are also available.
NETTTS also offers job placement assistance and flexible schedules.
The truck driving training at the NETTTS Bridgeport location includes classroom and hands-on learning.
The Bridgeport campus is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and serves CDL students in the Connecticut area.
Courses offered:
- Class A CDL Training
- Class B CDL Training
Contact information:
- Bridgeport offices: 510 Barnum Ave. 4th floor, Bridgeport, CT 06608
- Phone: (203) 416-1935 / (800) 542-0009
- Website: https://nettts.com
3Training Direct
Training Direct in Bridgeport is offering a variety of allied health training programs for those who want to build a career in the medical field.
The programs help students gain the skills needed to obtain entry-level positions in healthcare.
The school was founded in 1990 and became a Division of Dorsey Schools in 2014.
Enrollment. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.
A personal interview must be completed for enrollment.
Students in the Phlebotomy Technician, Electrocardiogram Technician and Patient Care programs must have a High School diploma or GED.
A High School diploma or GED is highly recommended for Medical Billing and Coding Specialist and Electronic Medical Records students.
Fees. Tuition fees vary by program.
Select Training Direct programs are approved for training under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, the Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB), and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess Program.
Courses offered:
- Electronic Medical Records Program
- Electrocardiogram Technician
- Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
- Nurse Aide
- Patient Care Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- AHA Classes
Contact information:
- Training Direct, Bridgeport: 3885 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606
- Phone: (203) 372-8842
- Toll-Free: (888) 856-7096
- Website: https://www.trainingdirectusa.com/bridgeport-connecticut
4Bullard-Havens Technical High School
Bullard-Havens Technical High School is offering training programs for high school and adult students.
The Apprenticeship Program for adult students is a formal training program fully approved by the State of Connecticut Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship Training.
Fees. The registration fee is $25.
Tuition is $325 per course (36 hours) for those who are registered apprentices with a valid state apprentice ID card listing their current employer and are taking a state apprentice program class.
Tuition is $350 per course for registered apprentices who are taking a course outside of their state apprentice program or are not registered apprentices.
Courses offered:
The school offers career and technical education in the following areas:
- Automotive Technology
- Carpentry
- Criminal Justice and Protective Services
- Culinary Arts
- Electrical
- Graphics Technology
- Hairdressing and Cosmetology
- Health Technology
- Information Technology
- Masonry
- Plumbing and Heating
- Precision Machining Technology
- Sustainable Architecture
Contact information:
- Bullard-Havens Technical High School: 500 Palisade Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06610
- Phone: 203-579-6333 ext 6415
- Website: http://bullard-havens.cttech.org
5American Institute of Healthcare & Technology
The American Institute of Healthcare & Technology is offering a variety of healthcare programs designed to prepare graduates for immediate employment in entry-level positions.
The Institute provides job assistance to all graduates at no extra cost.
AIHT Education is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award certificates.
Enrollment. Applicants must attend a counseling session with an AIHT advisor.
Prospective students must pass an admissions test.
Applicants need proof of high school graduation and must submit a Physical Examination Report within a week of class start date.
Fees. Tuition and fees vary by program.
The Certified Nursing Assistant program costs $1,475, while tuition and fees (including books) sum up to $21,870 for the Undergraduate Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Courses offered:
- Cardiovascular Technologist
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
- Patient Care Technician
- Certified Nurse Assistant
- Medical Assistant
- Vascular Technologist
Contact information:
- American Institute of Healthcare & Technology: 480 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, CT 06615
- Phone: (203) 870 8400
- Website: https://aiht.edu
6Valley Medical Institute
Valley Medical Institute provides training programs for those who want to build a career in the medical and dental fields.
Courses take place at the Bridgeport campus and are offered in a variety of different class times (days, evenings, afternoons, and Saturdays) to accommodate student schedules.
Valley Medical Institute is approved as a private occupational school by the Connecticut Commissioner of Higher Education.
Enrollment requirements vary by program.
Applicants to the Certified Nurse’s Aide program must be at least 17 years of age and need a high school diploma, GED or to pass a VMI entrance exam.
Students must have a physical exam and be free of communicable diseases.
Applicants must have a Tuberculin test and have negative results or have a chest x-ray performed.
Fees. Costs vary between $647-$4,035, depending on the program.
Courses offered:
- Certified Nurse’s Aide
- CNA Refresher
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Assistant Refresher
- Dental Radiography
- EKG Technician
- Infection Control
- Patient Care Technician
- Phlebotomist
Contact information:
- Valley Medical Institute: 4637 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606
- Phone: (203) 378-2210
- Website: http://www.valleymedicalinstitute.com
7Lincoln Tech
Lincoln Tech offers training programs in Culinary Arts, healthcare and electrical technology at its Shelton campus.
Training takes place in classrooms, labs, and simulated real-world settings.
Many programs include internships or externships designed to help students gain firsthand knowledge in their new career path.
Two Lincoln schools are located in Shelton: Lincoln Tech and Lincoln Culinary Institute.
The Shelton campus is located on Progress Drive, north of the Bridgeport-Milford area and not far from I-95.
The campus is also just a short drive from the cities of New Haven, Trumbull, and Fairfield.
Lincoln Technical Institute is accredited by the Accrediting
Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Enrollment. Applicants must be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance.
Prospective students must be high school graduates or possess a state-approved high school equivalency assessment.
Fees. Fees vary between $8,000-$31,630, depending on the program.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
Courses offered:
- Culinary Arts
- Electrical / Electronics
- International Baking and Pastry
- Medical Assistant
- Patient Care
- Practical Nursing
Contact information:
- Shelton Campus: 8 Progress Drive, Shelton, CT 06484
- Phone: (203) 929-0592
- Website: https://www.lincolntech.edu/campus/shelton-ct
8Connecticut School of Broadcasting
Connecticut School of Broadcasting’s campus in Stratford is offering training programs for those who want to build successful careers in audio/video production, sports broadcasting, television, and radio/podcasting.
At Connecticut School of Broadcasting students receive hands-on, learn-by-doing training from industry professionals.
The Stratford campus is also offering a Web Developer program for students interested in diving deeper into the digital world.
The Web Developer program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as Jr. Web Developers.
The course teaches students coding logic using PHP and JavaScript, web design using HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap, WordPress, and relational databases using SQL.
Broadcast Media students gain a basic understanding of the various aspects of audio/video production, television, radio, and sports broadcasting.
Financial aid and scholarships are available to qualifying students.
Courses offered:
- Broadcast Media
- Web Developer
Contact information:
- Connecticut School of Broadcasting’s campus in Stratford is located at 80 Ferry Boulevard, Stratford, CT 06615
- Phone: 203-378-5155
- Website: https://gocsb.com/locations/stratford-connecticut/
9Northeast Medical Institute
Northeast Medical Institute is offering training programs designed to prepare students to become well-educated healthcare professionals.
Course length varies by program.
The Patient Care Technician program consists of 146 hours or theory, 27 lab hours and 33 clinical hours.
Graduates from the CNA course may sit and take the CT State Exam provided by Prometric.
After completing the Phlebotomy course, the student may sit and take the National Healthcareer Association Exam.
Enrollment requirements vary by program.
Applicants to the Phlebotomy program must be at least 18 years of age; students must be at least 16 years of age to enroll in the other programs.
Prospective students need a negative PPD or negative x-ray which must be completed before they enter the clinical facility.
All applicants must be able to speak, read, and understand English.
Fees. Tuition for the Patient Care Technician program is $2,560.
The 102-hour Certified Nurse’s Aide program costs $1,150.
The EKG Technician program costs $150.
The above costs don’t include enrollment fees and supplies.
Tuition assistance is available to qualifying students.
Courses offered:
- Patient Care Technician
- Certified Nurse’s Aide
- Phlebotomy Technician
- EKG Technician
- CPR/First Aid Training
- On-Site CPR Training
Contact information:
- New Haven Campus: 270 Amity Rd #131, Woodbridge, CT 06525
- Phone: (203) 391-6766
- Website: https://northeastmedicalinstitute.com
10Alliance Real Estate School
Alliance Real Estate School is a real estate school with over 30 years of experience.
The school located in West Haven offers flexible hours.
The Real Estate Agent course covers real estate law, fair housing, agency relationships, listings and sales, zoning, environmental issues, financing and more.
You need to complete 60 hours of training in order to satisfy the educational requirements needed to take the real estate sales licensing exam and to receive your real estate license offered through the Department of Consumer Protection/Real Estate Commission.
Students may choose either day or evening session, or a combination of the two as long as they do not exceed 12 hours per week.
You may choose to take 2 or 3 classes per week, depending on how quickly you would like to complete the course.
Students can finish the course in as few as 8 weeks or they can take their time and finish at their own pace.
The school also offers continuing education classes.
Contact information:
- Alliance Real Estate School: 141 Captain Thomas Blvd, West Haven, CT 06516
- Phone: (203) 937-1617
- Website: http://www.ctrealestateclasses.com
Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers
| Career | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 1,380 | $73,280 | $35.23 | $104,890 | $49,000 |
| Medical Records Specialists | 250 | $61,050 | $29.35 | $80,840 | $45,410 |
| Nursing Assistants | 4,190 | $38,580 | $18.55 | $46,050 | $31,750 |
| Dental Assistants | 830 | $48,990 | $23.55 | $60,800 | $39,260 |
| Medical Assistants | 2,320 | $43,730 | $21.03 | $49,500 | $37,320 |
| Phlebotomists | 290 | $46,720 | $22.46 | $57,220 | $38,180 |
| Electricians | 1,200 | $66,480 | $31.96 | $94,520 | $39,030 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 1,060 | $68,130 | $32.76 | $95,470 | $35,920 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 1,690 | $55,500 | $26.68 | $76,000 | $33,550 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 1,220 | $70,050 | $33.68 | $95,620 | $45,460 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
A trade school can help you fulfill your professional goals after just a few months of training.
From medical assisting to truck driving and cosmetology, Bridgeport trade schools offer many vocational programs designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in their chosen field right after graduation.
When deciding on a trade school, don’t forget to take into account important factors, such as tuition costs, schedule, accreditation, completion rate, placement rate, and student reviews.
Trade Schools by City in Connecticut
