Trade SchoolsIf you’d like to start a career in an in-demand industry but can’t afford to spend four years in post-secondary training, trade schools are an option worth considering.
Their programs combine classroom training with hands-on instruction and usually focus only on the skills that are directly relevant to the career the student wants to pursue.
Program duration varies between a few months and two years, depending on the credential it leads to.
While certificates can usually be earned in less than a year, if you’re looking to get an associate degree, you will need to dedicate two years to your studies.
The capital of the state of New York, Albany is home to many trade schools that can prepare students for careers in a variety of industries, from healthcare and cosmetology to skilled trades and transportation.
1Career and Technical Education
About the School
A variety of Career and Technical Education programs are available at Albany High School.
Programs are available in the fields of skilled trades, applied sciences, and technology and are designed to prepare students for entry-level employment, college, or both.
The subject areas include automotive technology, business, construction technology, cosmetology, culinary arts, human services, health sciences, and pre-engineering.
The Career and Technical Education division is part of the City School District of Albany.
The district serves approximately 9,000 students in 16 schools: 12 elementary schools, three middle schools, and Albany high school.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the Career and Technical Education:
- Automotive Technology
- Barbering
- Construction Technology
- Cosmetology
- Culinary
- Health Science
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Academy Park, Albany, NY 12207
- Phone: 518-475-6000
- Website: https://www.albanyschools.org/schools/albanyhigh/cte
2Capital Region Boces
About the School
Capital Region Boces helps students launch their next careers by offering Adult Education classes.
More than 500 training programs and workshops designed to help educators improve instruction are available at the school.
High-quality, cost-effective, and technical education is available as a bridge between students who learn the skills needed for success in the workforce and businesses who want to find new employees.
More than 40 courses and programs in nine different career clusters are available for high school students in the area.
The Capital Region Boces is one of nearly 3,000 schools around the world accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Courses Offered
The Career and Technical Education pathway offers 100 professional certification pathways.
More than 80 businesses provide workplace experiences for career and technical education students.
Students can choose between more than 40 programs, including:
- Building Trades
- Carpentry Services
- Electrical Trades
- Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
- Early Childhood Education
- Criminal Justice
- Manufacturing and Machining Technology
- Cosmetology
- Automotive Services
- Diesel Technology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 900 Watervliet-Shaker Rd., Albany, NY 12205
- Phone: 518-862-4900
- Website: https://www.capitalregionboces.org
3Mildred Elley
About the School
Mildred Elley provides Certificate and Associate Degree programs at its campus in Albany, New York.
The programs are designed to provide students with training for their future careers.
The classes are taught by a faculty with experience in the field who know what skills are relevant to the student’s career success.
Mildred Elley is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Its New York campus is approved by the New York State Board of Regents to offer Associate of Applied Science and Associate in Occupational Studies degrees.
Courses Offered
The following degrees are available in Albany:
- Advanced Paralegal Studies
- Business Management
- Information Technology
- Massage Therapy
- Medical Assistant
- Office, Project, and Event Management AOS
The school also provides certificates for those who want to start careers as:
- Clinical Medical Assistants
- Massage Therapists
- Nurse Aides
- Practical Nurses
Contact Information
- Address: 855 Central Ave #3
- Phone: (518) 807-0308
- Website: https://www.mildred-elley.edu/campus/albany
4The Orlo School of Hair Design and Cosmetology
About the School
An independent, privately-owned cosmetology school, The Orlo School of Hair Design and Cosmetology is devoted to educating new professionals in the cosmetology industry.
By attending classes at Orlo School of Hair Design and Cosmetology students prepare for careers as hairdressers, makeup artists, and estheticians and some even end up owning independent beauty salons or representing major industry product companies.
The Orlo School of Hair Design and Cosmetology is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, which is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the official accrediting agency for hairdressing and cosmetology schools.
The school is also licensed by the New York State Education Department.
Courses Offered
The Orlo School of Hair Design and Cosmetology provides a cosmetology program designed to prepare students for the New York Department of State and Appearance Enhancement and Nail Technology exams.
Graduates are ready to earn their cosmetology licenses and begin long-term careers in the industry.
They receive a diploma that states the completion of 1,000 hours of training and makes them eligible for a temporary cosmetology license.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Hairstyling
- Chemical Restructuring
- Hair coloring & Lightening
- Skin Care & Procedures
- Nail Care & Procedures
- Safety & Health
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Hair & Scalp Disorders & Diseases
- Chemistry as Applied to Cosmetology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 232 North Allen Street Albany, NY 12206
- Phone: 518-459-7832
- Website: https://www.theorloschool.com
5The Capital District EOC- Albany Center for Education
About the School
The Capital District Educational Opportunity Center helps students get the education and training they need for their future careers.
The center provides a wide range of education programs, from high school equivalency diplomas and college prep to vocational training that prepares students with the skills needed for a new career.
Approximately 1,000 students enroll each year at the EOC.
Graduates secure entry-level positions in their professional fields.
Founded by SUNY University Center for Academic and Workforce Development, the Capital District Educational Opportunity Center delivers comprehensive, community-based academic and workforce development programs.
Courses Offered
The center has the following Schools:
- Business and Liberal Arts
- Health Sciences
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
The following programs are available at the center:
- Baking & Pastry Arts
- Building Trades
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
- Nursing Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy
- Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Albany Center for Education: 30 North Russell Road (Second Floor), Albany, NY 12206
- Phone: (518) 273-1900
- Website: https://hvcc.edu/programs/eoc/index.html
6Bryant & Stratton College
About the School
Bryant & Stratton College offers campus/blended programs as well as online training.
Programs are available for high school students, adult students, transfer students, and more.
Bryant & Stratton College is a private nonprofit institution that offers personalized career education and experience that prepare students for high-demand professions.
Courses Offered
The following educational paths are available at the college:
- Business
- Design
- Education
- Healthcare
- Hospitality
- Legal
- Technology
A variety of Bachelor’s, Associate, and Diploma programs are available at the college, including:
- Associate in Applied Science in Medical Administrative Assistant
- Associate in Applied Science in Medical Reimbursement & Coding
- Medical Office Assistant Diploma
- Associate in Applied Science in Electronic Technology
- Hospitality Assistant Diploma
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1259 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12205
- Phone: 866.948.0571
- Website: https://www.bryantstratton.edu
7Center for Natural Wellness
About the School
Center for Natural Wellness offers full-time day programs, part-time morning, and part-time evening programs that prepare students for a career in the field of massage therapy.
The school provides a masterfully designed curriculum that aims to enrich the lives of its students through programs that balance both the art and the science of massage therapy.
The programs total 1,020 hours and follow the current New York State Education Department requirements.
Courses Offered
The full-time massage therapy program offered by the Center for Natural Wellness can be completed in nine months.
The part-time morning program is 14 months long while the part-time evening program can be completed in 22 months.
The program starts at a basic introductory level and progresses to more advanced techniques that are used in professional practice.
Continuing education classes are also available for massage therapists who want to keep up with their training.
Contact Information
- Address: 14 Computer Drive West, Albany, NY 12205
- Phone: (518) 489.4026
- Website: https://www.cnwsmt.com
8The College of Saint Rose
About the School
The College of Saint Rose offers a variety of undergraduate programs, including bachelor’s degrees, dual degrees, and certificates.
The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education- an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the College of Saint Rose:
- Accounting- Bachelor’s and Master’s programs
- Computer Science- Bachelor degree programs
- Forensic Psychology- a program that leads to a Bachelor of Science
- Management- a Bachelor of Science program
- Marketing- a Bachelor of Science program
- Spanish <> English Translation- a Certificate program
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 432 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203
- Phone: 800-637-8556
- Website: https://www.strose.edu
9Questar III Career and Technical Education
About the School
Questar III provides career and technical education programs designed to provide students in 11th and 12th grades with the academic and technical skills needed for success in the careers they wish to pursue.
The Career and Technical Education programs are available at two schools: Robert H. Gibson Technical School in Troy and the Columbia-Greene Educational Center located in Hudson.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Agriculture Science
- Construction Technologies
- Cosmetology
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Gaming & Multimedia
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning & Renewable Energies I & II
- Nursing Assistant
- Welding/ Metal Fabrication/ Welding/ Machine Tool II
- And more
Career Studies programs are also available to provide more customized career instruction and experience in the following fields:
- Automotive Services
- Building Trades
- Introduction to Employment
- Introduction to Food Services
Contact Information
- Address: 10 Empire State Boulevard, Castleton, New York 12033
- Phone: 518-477-8771
- Website: https://www.questar.org
10Metrix Learning
About the School
Metrix Learning provides certifications that prepare students for jobs in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
The school was originally founded to provide state and local governments, not-for-profit agencies, and corporations with innovative and affordable training programs and technology solutions.
More than 100 in-demand certifications are included in the school’s catalog:
- Quickbooks Certified User
- Microsoft Office Specialist- Word
- Microsoft Office Specialist- Excel
- CompTIA A+ 901
- CompTIA A+ 902
- Certified Associate in Project Management
- Professional in Project Management
- Professional in Human Resources
- SHRM Certified Professional
- Cisco CCNA ICND1
- Cisco CCNA ICND2
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional
The courses take between 30-90 days to complete, depending on the certification they lead to.
The Quickbooks Certified User program can be completed in 30 days while the Certified Information Systems Security Professional program is 90 days long
Contact Information
- Address: Capital South Campus Center, 20 Warren St. Albany, NY 12202
- Phone: (518) 462-1780
- Website: http://www.metrixlearning.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 | 1,340 | $60,660 | $29.16 | $83,030 | $44,940 |
| Medical Records Specialists | 620 | $52,020 | $25.01 | $66,910 | $37,370 |
| Nursing Assistants | 3,750 | $36,240 | $17.42 | $43,040 | $31,710 |
| Dental Assistants | 900 | $46,580 | $22.39 | $55,800 | $32,040 |
| Medical Assistants | 1,280 | $38,980 | $18.74 | $46,160 | $31,430 |
| Phlebotomists | 240 | $39,810 | $19.14 | $48,830 | $31,980 |
| Electricians | 1,510 | $72,150 | $34.69 | $108,960 | $39,860 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 1,210 | $72,160 | $34.69 | $114,240 | $38,480 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 1,860 | $50,640 | $24.35 | $65,900 | $35,990 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 1,420 | $64,420 | $30.97 | $94,720 | $38,330 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you live in Albany, there are plenty of schools that can prepare you for a variety of in-demand careers in less than a year, through career-focused training.
Now that you have read our selection of the best ten trade schools in Albany, it’s time to choose the career path you want to pursue and the school that will help you prepare for your first job in the industry of your choosing.
Trade Schools by City in New York
