Best Trade Schools in San Jose | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply

The top trade schools in San Jose are profiled on this page. 

For those who wish to develop a meaningful career but cannot afford a four-year degree, trade schools, also known as vocational schools or career centers, are a terrific alternative. 

In order to educate students for fulfilling and exciting occupations in high-demand fields including technology, the beauty industry, and allied health, San Jose, the third-most populated city in California, offers a wide array of vocational programs. 

To learn more about some of the top trade schools in the area, we welcome you to read our list.

Are There Trade Schools in San Jose?

The National Center for Education Statistics currently lists more than 15 schools in trade schools in San Jose.

Here are some of the trade schools in San Jose:

  1. Contractors State License School
  2. The Salon Professional Academy 
  3. Cosmotek College 
  4. Tony & Guy Hairdressing Academy

How much do trade schools in San Jose cost?

The affordability is one major advantage of going to the best trade schools in San Jose. Trade schools in San Jose often cost one sixth of what it would to attend a university, which might cost upwards of $100,000.

Depending on the program, the overall fees range from $300 to $16,200. For students who meet the criteria, institutions encourage scholarships and awards.

See Also: 15 Best Trade Schools in Fort Worth | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply

What are the requirements for trade schools in San Jose?

Before being taken into consideration at the top trade schools in San Jose, application requirements differ by program.

Candidates for trade schools in San Jose must have finished high school or a recognized equivalent as a minimum requirement.

The program requires applicants to be at least 17 years old in order to enroll.

Candidates must appear for an interview with an admissions representative.

There can be extra requirements for students applying to San Jose trade schools, depending on the program.

What are the best Trade Schools in San Jose 2024?

1. Contractors State License School

Classes for passing the California Contractors License Exam are available at Contractors State License School. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

More than 120,000 students have benefited from CSLS’s preparation and testing assistance over the course of more than 25 years. 

David Mizener, the founder and CEO of Contractors State licensing Service, has 40 years of experience as a teacher and possesses both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in Education. 

The major institution in California focused on the construction industry is called Contractors State License Services (CSLS).

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2. The Salon Professional Academy 

The Salon Professional Academy offers beauty education courses that prepare students to pass state board exams while also helping them advance their technical proficiency, business and marketing knowledge, and guest relations abilities. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

The Academy offers two programs: a cosmetology program that lasts 48 weeks and an aesthetics program that lasts 18 weeks. 

In order to obtain a cosmetology license in California, applicants must complete 1600 hours of approved training, graduate from an institution recognized by the state, and pass the licensing examinations administered by the state board. 

In order to get licensed as an aesthetician in the state of California, a candidate must complete 600 hours of approved training, graduate from an institution recognized by the state, and pass the licensing tests administered by the state board.

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3. Cosmotek College

Cosmotek College is offering training classes that prepare students for a variety of careers. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

School programs can be completed in less than a year. The College offers flexible schedules.

Cosmotek College is approved by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Vocational Education and is licensed by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Enrollment: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age and provide a copy of his/her high school diploma, GED or school transcripts.

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4. Tony & Guy Hairdressing Academy

Tony & Guy’s 8,400-square-foot cosmetology school, which is housed inside San Jose’s Eastridge Center, provides educational courses for people who want to work in the beauty industry. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

The Cosmetology course covers many topics, including photoshoots, résumé workshops, State Board preparation, client relationship building, cutting and coloring skills, and much more. 

Students get the chance to participate in advanced methods, TIGI product knowledge, creative projects, field visits, and photoshoots during a flex week that follows the training program. 

The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education has granted TIGI Creative School permission to operate as a private institution.

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5. Unitek College

A private, accredited college that offers instruction in nursing and healthcare is Unitek College. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

The College provides its alumni with professional development opportunities, clinical placement opportunities, and employment support in addition to healthcare instruction. 

The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges has given Unitek College campuses in Fremont, Hayward, San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, South San Francisco, and Bakersfield its seal of approval (ACCSC). 

The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education has granted Unitek College permission to operate.

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6. The Barbering Academy of San Jose

Future barbers can enroll in school programs at the Barbering Academy of San Jose. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

A group of professionals with more than 30 years of combined expertise in the industry teaches students. 

For people with little to no expertise in haircutting, the school offers a Barber 1A curriculum, and for licensed cosmetologists who desire to become barbers, it offers a Barber Crossover 2A program. 

For licensed barbers and cosmetologists who desire to master new skills, the Barbering Academy also provides one-on-one lessons. 

The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education has granted The Barbering Academy of San Jose a license (BPPE).

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7. Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute

In San Jose, the Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute provides training in surgical technology and sterile processing. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

Students are given practical teaching experience at the institution to help them prepare for the CBSPD certification exam. 

SVSTI provides blended programs that integrate online course delivery with practical on-campus training for core competencies. 

An individual who sterilizes and cleans used surgical instruments and other medical supplies is known as a sterile processing technician. 

A surgical technician is a member of the allied health field who works with surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical workers to set up the operating room and assist during procedures.

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8. Silicon Drafting Institute

The Silicon Drafting Institute offers instructor-led, hands-on instruction for Integrated Circuit layout. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

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The curriculum can be finished in 32 weeks; it has 512 hours of lab time and 256 hours of lectures. 

Using a sub-micron, multi-layer metal BiCMOS technology, students study through a combination of technical lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on projects. 

The program is created to satisfy the semiconductor industry’s most demanding requirements. 

The course covers subjects like Layout Methods, Cadence Opus Software Training, and Linux Training. It also covers CMOS/BiCMOS Circuit Theories. 

The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education has given the institution approval for its program (BPPE).

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9. AeroDynamic Aviation

Since 1960, San Jose has had flight training available from AeroDynamic Aviation. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

The flight school provides instruction for all tiers of pilots, from novice to expert. 

At Reid Hillview Airport in San Jose, Salinas Municipal Airport in Salinas, and Monterey Regional Airport in Monterey, the school’s facilities are situated. 

With a Private Pilot license, which enables you to fly small aircraft with friends or family, the majority of aspiring pilots begin their careers. The instrument rating comes next. 

The next step is to obtain a Commercial Pilot’s license after logging at least 250 hours of flight experience. 

Then you can take your flight instructor exam if you want to start teaching.

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10. National Holistic Institute

The National Holistic Institute assists students in acquiring the expertise required to work as licensed massage therapists. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

The Institute offers some of the most thorough massage therapy programs and has ten campuses throughout California. 

The college provides a 450-hour advanced neuromuscular therapy program and an 800-hour massage therapy program. Flexible school schedules are available to students. 

The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education has given the private institution National Holistic Institute permission to operate (BPPE). 

The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training has granted the Institute accreditation.

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11. Bay Area Medical Academy

A school serving students in the San Jose region is called Bay Area Medical Academy. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

It offers a list of courses that students can take to improve their medical knowledge and prepare for professions in the healthcare industry. 

Phlebotomy technician and medical assistant training are among its offerings. The institution was established in 2004 in order to meet the growing need for healthcare training.

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12. Center for Employment Training

The Center for Employment Training (CET), a non-profit trade school, has a campus in San Jose that has received accreditation from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education and the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

It was founded in 1967 and provides training for careers in business, childcare, the culinary arts, medicine, construction, and technical trades. 

Various institutions in California, Virginia, and Texas offer additional majors like trucking and logistics. Employers served by CET include Marriott Vacation Club, Equity Residential, and Spates Fabricators.

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13. Institute for Business & Technology

Students in San Jose can choose from a number of day and evening courses offered by the Institute for Business & Technology. This is one of the best trade schools in San Jose.

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It offers instructions on how to become an ultrasound technician, electrician, HVAC technician, and medical assistant. Additionally, there are programs for cybersecurity experts, medical billers, and lab assistants. 

The school provides accommodations for students with impairments and aid in finding employment. For fifty years, the Institute for Business & Technology has been in operation. 

The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training have both granted it accreditation.

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How much do traders earn in San Jose?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, trade school careers pay an average of about $55,000 per year, while the employment and wage prognosis for graduates varies by area, industry, and experience (BLS). 

Personal service jobs often pay less than $33,000 per year, whereas management jobs typically pay more than $96,000. 

According to BLS salary data, numerous trade school occupations in San Jose have above-average wages. For instance, the average salary for occupational therapy assistants and paralegals in the state is approximately $67,000 annually. 

Additionally, many trade school vocations have promising job development prospects. For instance, the BLS predicts that between 2018 and 2028, the employment of paralegals, HVAC technicians, and dental hygienists will increase significantly more than the national average.

Students who complete trade school programs are prepared for careers as radiology technicians, paralegals, and dental hygienists. These programs offer the knowledge and skills required for the workforce by combining classroom instruction and hands-on training. They include;

  • Dental Hygienist Schools
  • Mechanic Schools
  • Paralegal Schools
  • Radiology Technician Schools

Prospective students might look at programs for ambitious professions including electricians, cosmetologists, paramedics, and medical assistants in addition to the following well-known trade school programs.

Conclusion 

Trade schools in San Jose train students for some of the most sought-after positions. 

All you have to do is choose the course you want to take and begin looking for the college or university that best suits your educational requirements and career goals. 

Examine all of your possibilities before selecting a vocational school. 

Ensure the institution you chose is reliable and has received official accreditation.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What distinguishes a trade school from a college? 

While colleges place a greater emphasis on academic qualifications, trade schools offer training that is job-focused for particular careers. Nevertheless, a lot of colleges provide vocational programs. 

What can be discovered in a trade school? 

To prepare graduates for professions in fields including healthcare, technology, emergency services, and the skilled trades, trade schools combine classroom and hands-on study. 

What types of employment are vocational jobs? 

Medical assistant, radiology technician, mechanic, paralegal, paramedic, and cosmetologist are examples of occupations in this category. 

What is the price of a vocational school? 

In Texas, many community colleges offer vocational programs for under $2,200 a year. Costs vary by program and institution.

References

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