10 Best Trade Schools inRhode Island

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Although Rhode Island is not that big, it still has some amazing educational facilities ready to accept new students.

Trade schools have been around for a while, but their popularity has been rapidly increasing in the past couple of years.

That is due to the fact that choosing such an education can yield amazing and fast results.

Here are some of the best trade schools one can find in Rhode Island.


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1MTTI Career Training School

MTTI Career Training School is a well-rounded educational institution that offers ten courses in various areas of expertise.

This school really cares about its students, their success, and their well-being.

That’s exactly why they constantly develop and adjust their curriculum to follow all the latest industry standards.

Their mission is “education for employment” which is why they are huge advocates of hands-on, practical learning.

Their program was accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, licensed by the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure, Office of Private Occupational School Education, and approved by the Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must fill out an application form
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must own a valid driver’s license
  • Must have a good command of English
  • Must provide proof of education – a high school diploma or GED
  • Must go through an interview

Fees: Contact the school’s admission department to get further information about tuition fees and additional costs.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Automotive Service Technician
  • Building & Property Trades Technician
  • Computer Service Technician/Network Installer
  • HVAC/R Technician
  • Marine Service Technician
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Billing & Coding/Office Administration
  • Motorcycle/Power Equipment Technician
  • Personal Fitness Trainer
  • Residential and Commercial Electrician

Contact:

  • MTTI Career Training School
  • Address: 1241 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771
  • Phone: 1-508-336-6611
  • Website: https://www.mtti.edu/

2Providence Career & Technical Academy

Providence Career & Technical Academy offers courses in so many different areas of expertise, ranging from cosmetology to carpentry.

They offer education in thirteen different career fields, and all their courses are very accessible and comprehensive.

Upon graduation, students will not only hold a diploma for respective courses, but they will also be fully ready to become a part of the workforce.

Providence Career & Technical Academy offers multiple scholarships, including:

  • Fund for the Education of the Children of Providence
  • Bradford Trust Scholarship – Spanish
  • Bradford Trust Scholarship – English

This school is particularly interesting because it has a goal of educating students from all walks of life.

They want to give back to the community by providing the best education that is accessible to everyone.

Enrollment: All applicants must be legal US citizens.

Fees: Contact the school’s admission department to get further information about tuition fees and additional costs.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Automotive
  • Carpentry
  • Electrical
  • Graphics
  • Engineering
  • Cosmetology
  • Culinary
  • Pastry
  • General Construction
  • Maritime Welding & Pipe Fitting
  • HVAC & Plumbing
  • PTECH

Contact:


3Real Estate Institute of Rhode Island

Real estate is a huge industry that always has room for more industry professionals.

At Real Estate Institute of Rhode Island, they provide students with top-notch education prior to certification and licensure exams.

Amazingly, they offer tuition-free pre-license classes, making it much more accessible.

Upon completion of the courses, students will be ready to take the state exam and become registered real estate professionals.

Enrollment: Contact the school’s admission department to get further information about enrollment requirements.

Fees: The Real Estate Institute Of Rhode Island offers tuition-free pre-license classes through our Affiliate Broker Sponsorship Program.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Real estate certification

Contact:


4Rhode Island Bartending School

Rhode Island Bartending School is dedicated to providing the best bartending education at amazingly low prices – two of their classes are only $100!

Their classrooms are set up to look like an actual bar.

The goal of such a setting is to make students get used to working in the real world and to inspire hands-on, practical learning.

They are a fully-certified school with dozens of stellar reviews online.

Upon graduation, students will receive a certification that’s valid both in-state and internationally.

Furthermore, Rhode Island Bartending School has a private job board where prospective graduates will be able to obtain jobs straight upon graduation.

Besides learning how to bartend and mix, students will also gain knowledge about marketing their skills, creating resumes, job interviews, etc.

Enrollment: All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Fees: The tuition fees for each of the courses go as follows:

  • Bartending & Mixology – $199
  • Craft Cocktails & Mixology – $100
  • Wine Class – $100

The school offers the following courses:

  • Bartending & Mixology
  • Craft Cocktails & Mixology
  • Wine Class

Contact:


5International CDL, LLC

If you’re someone looking to earn a high salary and have a stable job, then trucking might be a great fit.

Seasoned truckers can earn up to $100,000 per year, which is just mindblowing.

Here are some jaw-dropping statistics about this school:

  • 97% of their students pass the CDL exam on their first try
  • 90% of their students were employed immediately upon graduation

International CDL strives towards providing comprehensive training that is high-quality and focused on hands-on learning.

The school also offers multiple financing options and all their courses have very competitive prices.

Enrollment: All applicants must be physically and mentally capable of operating the vehicles.

Fees: The tuition fees for each of the courses go as follows:

  • Class A CDL – $6,300.00
  • Class B CDL – $4,000.00
  • CDL Refresher – $2,495.00

The school offers the following courses:

  • Class A CDL
  • Class B CDL
  • CDL Refresher

Contact:


6Technology Learning Center

Originally founded almost 20 years ago, this learning center has educated hundreds of students who are now successful industry professionals.

The school continuously grows and adapts its curriculum in accordance with the latest industry standards and demands.

To inspire students to further their education, the school offers a couple of scholarship options, including the Randa Chamoun Scholarship.

Besides that, the Technology Learning Center also has a job placement assistance program that helps graduates with obtaining jobs.

They do so through a service called GradCast, where students’ resumes will be forwarded to potential employers.

Students will also frequently get lists with job openings in the surrounding areas.

Enrollment: Prospective students will have to call the school’s admission department or request enrollment information via the form on the school’s website.

Fees: Call the school’s admission department to get further information about tuition fees for each of the courses.

The school offers the following courses:

  • HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration)
  • ​Solar Water Heating Technology
  • Geothermal Heating and Cooling
  • Steam Engineering/Power Plant Engineering Programs
  • Pipe Fitting Principles and Codes
  • Waste Water Treatment, Industrial Levels
  • Facilities Technician Programs
  • Continuing Education Courses for Boiler Operators and Engineers in Oxford
  • Continuing Education Courses for Boiler Operators and Engineers Online
  • Online Total Contact Hours (TCH) for Waste Water Treatment
  • Continuing Education for Hoisting License

Contact:


7Smith Vocational and Agricultural School

Smith Vocational and Agricultural School is a vocational institution that offers a wide variety of courses to choose from.

The school has a very, very long history of educating prospective specialized workers in different areas of expertise.

Their curriculum meets all the national educational standards and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Enrollment: Enrollment requirement may vary depending on the chosen course. Contact the school’s admission department to get further information.

Fees: Check out this document to find out more about tuition fees and additional costs for each of their courses.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Basic Cooking – American Cuisine
  • ServSafe®
  • Certified Nurse Aide
  • EKG Technician
  • Personal Trainer
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Bicycle Repair
  • Chainsaws
  • Construction Supervisor License Exam Prep
  • Electrical Code and Theory
  • Home Repairs with Stan-the-Fixit-Man
  • Hoisting License Exam Prep
  • Hoisting License Renewal
  • Municipal Wastewater
  • Plumbing Code and Theory
  • Small Engine Repair
  • Solidworks for Beginners
  • Advanced Solidworks
  • Welding
  • Social Dance
  • Business and Finance
  • Career and Life Skills
  • Career Exploration
  • Computers
  • Education
  • Health
  • Language and Arts
  • Writing
  • Arts and Design
  • Business
  • Computer Applications
  • Computer Programming
  • Construction and Trades
  • Health and Fitness
  • Hospitality
  • Information Technology
  • Legal

Contact:

  • Smith Vocational and Agricultural School
  • Address: 80 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060
  • Phone: 413-587-1414
  • Website: https://www.smithtec.org/

8Spa Tech Institute

The field of massage therapy is ever-growing and the demand for specialized massage therapists is simultaneously growing.

At Spa Tech Institute, students will get an opportunity to learn about various massage styles, learn about the human body, and the effects massage therapy can have on it.

This school has a great reputation and stellar online reviews due to its excellence in education

The staff is dedicated to students, custom-tailoring every lesson to an individual’s needs, to inspire better learning and to increase motivation.

Spa Tech Institute also offers scholarships and other financing options, including:

  • The Merit Scholarship
  • Graduate Discounts
  • The Pell Grant
  • Parent Plus Loans
  • Private Student Loans

By attending this school, students will become immediately capable to obtain a job and achieve career success.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must provide proof of education – a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • Must complete an admissions interview

Fees: Contact the school’s admission department to get further information about tuition fees and additional costs.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Massage
  • Esthetics
  • Polarity Therapy
  • Cosmetology
  • Limited Barbering
  • Manicuring/Nail Tech
  • Teacher Training

Contact:

  • Spa Tech Institute
  • Address: 59 Industrial Park Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360
  • Phone:508-747-3130
  • Website: https://spatech.edu/

9St. Joseph School of Nursing

St. Joseph School of Nursing recognizes the importance of caring for others, so they have created the ultimate nursing course that will help individuals learn all the basics.

Nursing is a very demanding profession, so quality education is of utmost importance.

Their staff is comprised of highly-skilled healthcare professionals with years of experience of working in the industry.

St. Joseph School of Nursing is focused on providing hands-on learning because students absorb the knowledge better that way.

Upon completion, graduates will be fully ready to become a part of the workforce.

This industry holds a lot of steady, high-paying job opportunities that come with a lot of benefits.

Enrollment: All applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Other requirements may vary, depending on the course.

Fees: Contact the school’s admission department to get further information about tuition fees and additional costs.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Nursing

Contact:

  • St. Joseph School of Nursing
  • Address: 200 High Service Avenue, North Providence, RI 02904
  • Phone: 401-456-3050
  • Website: http://www.nursingri.com/

10Rob Roy Academy

Rob Roy Academy takes pride in having a very diverse student and instructor base.

They inspire creativity and invite uniqueness because after all, beauty is a form of art.

The environment at this academy is very inviting, supportive, inspiring, and relaxed.

Because of that, students absorb the knowledge better and are inspired to improve and develop their skills.

Besides the core courses, the Rob Roy Academy invites students to partake in extracurricular activities.

Their programs have been accredited, approved, and licensed by the following entities:

  • Accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences
  • Licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Barbers
  • Licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetologists
  • Approved by the Federal Department of Education
  • Approved by the Veterans Administration
  • Approved by The Rhode Island Department of Higher Education

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must provide proof of education – a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • Must complete an interview with the admissions department
  • Complete application forms

Fees: The tuition fees for each of the courses go as follows:

  • Cosmetology – $16,000
  • Barbering – $14,750
  • Manicuring – $3,100
  • Esthetics – $4,200
  • Instructor Training – $3,100

There is also a $50 registration fee.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Cosmetology
  • Barbering
  • Manicuring
  • Esthetics
  • Instructor Training

Contact:


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants1,320- NA -- NA -- NA -- NA -
Medical Records Specialists620$51,410$24.71$72,140$36,900
Nursing Assistants8,730$39,490$18.99$47,990$31,740
Dental Assistants800$44,340$21.32$55,580$39,780
Medical Assistants3,130$40,580$19.51$47,340$32,780
Phlebotomists610$44,600$21.44$52,800$34,100
Electricians2,330$63,470$30.51$81,050$39,480
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters2,170$65,800$31.64$96,740$38,340
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics2,510$45,840$22.04$63,190$29,270
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers1,240$62,580$30.09$78,140$46,920
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Rhode Island, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Rhode Island is not a big place, but it has an abundance of amazing programs suited for everyone and anyone.

Vocational education is an outstanding alternative to traditional four-year education, so there’s no need to think twice about it.

This form of education will bring amazing job opportunities and perhaps inspire students to develop their education even further.