Pathways to Learn a Trade
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A. Trade / vocational School
A. Trade / vocational School
Focus: Provide specialized, hands-on training for specific trade skills, aiming for direct entry into these careers.
Learning: Emphasizes practical application and mastery of a particular craft, with minimal to no general education requirements. Instruction is typically hands-on.
Credentials: Typically awards certificates that are usually not transferable for college credit.
Outcomes: Upon completion, graduates gain the skills needed for immediate employment in a specific trade.
B. Technical School
B. Technical School
Focus: Offers broader practical training and marketable skills in technical fields, preparing individuals for entry-level employment in these areas.
Learning: Blends theoretical knowledge with practical application, and may include more lecture-based instruction compared to trade schools. General education requirements are minimal but may exist.
Credentials: May award certificates, diplomas, or associate's degrees that are typically transferable for college credit, offering a pathway to further education.
Outcomes: Upon completion, graduates gain both work experience and a recognized industry credential.
C. Apprenticeship
C. Apprenticeship
Focus: Combines paid, on-the-job training under the guidance of experienced professionals with related coursework to learn a specific trade.
Learning: Primarily learn-while-you-earn, with practical skills developed on the job and theoretical knowledge gained through supplementary instruction.
Credentials: Upon successful completion, apprentices earn both work experience and credentials, often leading to licensure or certification.
Duration: Typically lasts one to four years, with some programs extending up to six years, depending on the complexity of the trade. Apprentices must be at least 16 years old and are expected to work full-time hours.
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Trade School vs. 4 Year College
What is an Apprenticeship?
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Trades Exploration
Trades Exploration
Description, Salary,* & Local Training Options
*average salary data for New York State sourced from O*Net Online.
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles. $48,950
Barber / Hairdresser
Barber: Provides barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair; trimming beards; or giving shaves. $32,050
Hairstylist: specializes specifically in the care and styling of hair. ($31,200)
Builds, assembles, maintains, and repairs large steam boilers and their parts using tools and blueprints. Also helps with testing and cleaning. $75,060
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. $48,600
Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.
$77,720.
Constructs, installs, and repairs wood and similar structures and fixtures, including framing, stairs, floors, and forms. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and insulation. $59,130
Craft Technical Institute
Finishes concrete surfaces like floors and sidewalks using hand and power tools. This includes smoothing, leveling, fixing imperfections, aligning forms for edges, and cutting expansion joints. $60,980
Performs physical labor at construction sites, operating hand and power tools. Tasks include site preparation, digging, bracing, scaffolding, cleanup, and assisting other craft workers. $48,850
Pre-Apprenticeships : UB / Dept of Labor / Assembly House 150
Apprenticeships: BPS Adult Ed, UB Build
Cosmetologist: the broadest of these fields. It's the study and application of beauty treatments, encompassing the hair, skin, and nails. $31,200
Esthetician: a specialized field within the beauty industry that focuses primarily on the health and beautification of the skin. $34,130
Directs and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts. $65,930
D'Avolio Culinary Institute
Assists dentists with basic tasks: sterilization, patient preparation, procedure support, and oral care instruction. $46,240
Electrician
Handles all aspects of electrical systems and equipment in homes, businesses, and factories – from design and installation to maintenance and repair. They work indoors and outdoors to ensure safe and reliable power for lights, machinery, and appliances. $78,590
Northland Workforce Training Center
Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters. $121,580
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Assess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities. $40,080
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. $42,850
Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves. $60,160
Operates one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties. $65,030
Erects steel structures and frameworks, including girders, columns, and prefabricated buildings. May also assemble metal storage tanks. $74,950
Landscape Maintenance Technician
Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. $42,350
Operates computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment. $48,590
Support a physician by performing administrative duties (scheduling, records, billing) and clinical duties (vitals, histories, blood draws, administering medications). $44,960
Medical Billing
Manages patient accounts in healthcare settings by invoicing, collecting payments, and resolving overdue balances. $46,710
Supports nurses with basic patient care such as vital signs and daily living assistance. $38,940
Painter
Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency. $49,090
Draws blood for tests and other uses; may explain procedure and assist with reactions. $45,600
Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. May also set ornamental plaster. $73,940.
Plumber
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. $73,760
Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures. $62,490
Sprinkler Installation/Fitters
Install Fire Protection systems, including underground supply piping, which is connected to an integrated overhead piping system for suppression of fire. $50 per hour to start (per website. Pension also included)
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. $59,710
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers. $57,380
Welding
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products. $53,120
Craft Technical Institute
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