Best Trade Schools in Chicago

The Chicago Vocational Career Academy has been offering training programs to high school students since 1940. Its career and technical education programs help them prepare for the career they want to pursue in various industries, including carpentry, cosmetology, horticulture, culinary arts, medical technology, and information technology. This vocational school also offers a STEM and early college program, which gives students a way to continue their education and launch a career path around science, technology, engineering, and math.

Chicago Women in Trades is a training school serving the Chicago area. It has been providing technical opportunity programs to women since 1987. Pre-apprenticeship programs are available at the institution to help women compete in the construction industry. CWIT collaborates with the Jane Addams Resource Corporation to give welding training to women. Its yearly 12-week, 180-hour course awards OSHA 10 and American Welding Society certifications to successful graduates. CWIT has teamed with Chicago Carpenters, F.H. Paschen, and Quality First on recruitment and retention.

Founded in 2003, Denmark College is open to individuals in Chicago who are looking forward to start a career in the barbering industry. It teaches students how to conduct services like straight razor shaves, haircut with razor lining, head shaves, and hair coloring. The college also covers topics like equipment care, shampoo and massage, facial hair grooming techniques, and scalp treatment. Denmark College is approved for training by the Veteran's Administration. Alumni Kirk Merchant is now the owner of State Street Barbers, Andre's Barber Shop, and Merchant & Rhodes.

Established in 1973, ETI School of Skilled Trades is a training provider in Chicago. Utilizing industry-current equipment, instructors with decades of field experience, and well-equipped laboratories, it offers hands-on programs which can be completed in seven months to prepare individuals for jobs in the HVAC/R and welding industries and acquire certifications. It also provides day and evening class options to accommodate busy schedules. The trade school provides an employer-graduate match process to improve their employment prospects after graduation.

HVAC Technical Institute serves clients in Chicago and its surrounding neighborhoods. Its HVAC/R course outline includes modules like basic and advanced air conditioning, ventilation and installation, refrigeration components and controls, and heating. The trade school also offers electrician training courses. Upon completion of its HVAC certification courses, students will receive an EPA section 608 universal license and an R-410A safety certificate. HVAC Technical Institute was established in 1994. It has a 10,000-square-foot hands-on workshop area and a 7,500-square-foot classroom area.

Illinois Dental Careers accommodates students from the Chicago area. Since its inception in 2015, the institute has been teaching and leading students towards a career in dentistry, offering dental and orthodontic assisting programs. Students are paired with experienced instructors who guide them through module-based courses. Illinois Dental Careers holds accreditation from the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Founder Yaroslav Yarmolyuk is an orthodontic specialist who provides braces to the less fortunate and organizes charity events as part of his community service.

Stellar Career College Chicago Campus is a vocational school that caters to individuals in the local metro. It offers a wide range of training programs for healthcare careers, including radiologic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists. The institution also accommodates students who want to acquire surgical technologist and diagnostic medical sonographer job positions. In addition, it provides job placement advising, interview preparation, and resume and cover letter assistance. Stellar Career College Chicago Campus has been operating for over 35 years.

The Tricoci University of Beauty Culture helps students in Chicago start their careers in the cosmetology industry. It offers esthetics, barbering, and teacher training courses. In addition to employing skilled tutors, the beauty school has salon facilities and learning equipment for each of its cosmetology programs. Its esthetics and cosmetology programs are both available on a part-time or full-time basis. Federal student aid programs are available for deserving and qualified students. Its campus, which is located in the metro, hosts the Makeup Show Chicago and Cosmetologists Chicago shows.