If you’re not interested in pursuing a four-year college degree, you may consider a trade school program. Instead of broad academic coursework, vocational schools focus on real-world, hands-on training for specific roles like truck driver, HVAC technician, medical assistant, and mechanic. Many of the following skilled trades training programs can be completed in months, not years, and are designed to align with real job requirements like certifications and licensing exams—providing a practical, often quicker path into the workforce.
This page is designed as a central hub for exploring skilled trades and training programs. You’ll find practical guides that explain training options, costs, licensing requirements, and career outlooks. Whether you’re just starting to explore skilled trades or narrowing down your options, this homepage is meant to help you find clear, reliable resources for your learning journey.
General Trade School and Career Resources
Here are some career resources if you’re looking for a general overview of skilled trades jobs and the skills needed to pursue them.
Trade School vs College: How to Choose the Right Higher Education for Your Career
Both college degree and trade school programs can be great career starters, depending on your career goals. In this guide, you’ll learn what trade schools are and what the difference is between trade schools and college.
Best Trade School Jobs: Highest Paying Trades in 2025
This article will dissect all you need to know about trade schools and the highest-paying trade school jobs.
Vocational Skills: Education and Training to Land a Trade Job
This guide breaks down what vocational skills are, where you can learn them, and how to turn them into a rewarding career.
A Guide to High-Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a High School Diploma
In this guide, we’ll identify the available jobs, show you where to find them, and review any additional training options available to you.
Trucking & Transportation
The trucking and transportation industry consists of many different jobs, from long-haul truck driving to operating construction equipment. Most, if not all, require you to earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Our CDL resource pages are intended to help you find the right CDL training program by state, federal licensing requirements, career outlooks, and more.
Highest-Paying Jobs in Transportation: Your 2025 Guide
If you are wondering what transportation jobs pay, the career outlook, and how to get jobs in the transportation field, this is the guide for you.
Jobs That Require a Driver’s License: Your 2025 Guide
A license requirement may be more common than you think, both within the transportation industry and outside of it. Read this guide to discover the different career opportunities available to you.
HVAC
Becoming an HVAC or HVAC-R technician can be a rewarding career if you’re someone who prefers to work with your hands over working behind a desk. From apprenticeships to trade school certificate programs, there are a few learning pathways you can pursue. Our HVAC resource pages are intended to help you find the right HVAC technician school for you, along with federal licensing requirements, career outlooks, and more.
HVAC Technician Training
This guide breaks down the major steps in HVAC training, including the different training paths you can take, what you’ll learn, the certifications that matter, and how long each option takes.
Is HVAC a Good Career in 2026?
This profession not only provides steady work and opportunities for advancement but is also AI-proof. Is HVAC a good career for you? Keep reading to find out.
How to Become an HVAC Technician
In this guide, you’ll learn about what HVAC technicians do, how to get trained and certified, and what to expect in pay, job outlook, and career growth.
HVAC License Requirements by State
In this guide, you’ll learn about each U.S. state’s HVAC licensing requirements—what licenses exist, what experience or training you’ll need, and whether statewide, local, or hybrid rules apply.
Plumbing
Becoming a plumber may be the right career choice for you if you’re looking for more autonomy and flexibility in your daily work. You can get started in plumbing through an apprenticeship, a plumbing-focused trade school, or a short-term certificate that teaches core skills and safety practices. Our plumbing resource pages are designed to help you compare training options, understand state licensing requirements, and explore career paths so you can find the right plumbing school for you.
Explore These Plumbing Courses to Become a Plumber in 2025
This guide will walk you through the main types of plumbing courses—from community colleges to online options—so you can choose the training path that fits your goals.
Mechanic
Dreaming of becoming a mechanic or diesel mechanic? You may appreciate the rewarding feeling of working with your hands and understanding how engines, electrical systems, and modern vehicle technology work. Whether you choose an automotive program, diesel technology, or another transportation-focused pathway, you can train through trade schools, certificate programs, or mechanic apprenticeships. Our mechanic resource pages help you compare schools, understand certification options, and explore career paths so you can choose the right program.
Alternative Careers for Mechanics: How to Make a Career Change
Explore the paths for mechanics to transition their skillsets into a new career or role.
Top Companies Hiring Diesel Mechanics in 2025
In this article, we’ll highlight the top companies hiring diesel mechanics in 2025, what they pay, and what it’s like to work there.
Welding
Welding is a great skilled trade to explore if you enjoy hands-on, detail-oriented work and want a career that offers steady demand across construction, manufacturing, and repair. Welding programs—ranging from short-term certificates to more in-depth technical training—teach you essential skills like blueprint reading, metal fabrication, and safety practices. Our welding resource pages are designed to help you compare schools, understand certification options, and explore career paths that interest you.
Welding Courses: A Way to Bond Life Skills with Good Job Prospects
A great way to enter the welding industry is through welding courses, some of the best of which we’ll list for you within this simple guide.
Electrical
Becoming an electrician will help you get paid to working with your hands—solving practical problems and learning how electrical systems power everything around us. Ways to get started include apprenticeships, trade school certificates, or more advanced technical training programs that covers wiring, codes, safety, and system installation. Our electrician resource pages are designed to help you compare training pathways, understand licensing requirements, and explore career options that fit your goals and commitment levels.
Path to Becoming a Master Electrician
This guide will walk you through every step on the path to becoming a master electrician, from training and licensing to career growth and specialization.
Electrician Courses: Your Introductory Guide
This guide will walk you through the essential qualifications, training programs, and online electrician courses to help you start your career.
Medical Assisting
If you’re interested in pursuing a career that is hands-on and plays an important role in the overall health of others, you may be interested in an allied health field. Potential roles include medical assistant, emergency medical technician (EMT), pharmacy technician, and more. Training options vary based on the career you’re looking at, but typically range from from short-term certificate programs to more advanced diplomas. Our allied health resource pages walk you through what to expect for each career pathway, how to meet certification or licensing requirements, and how to choose a medical assisting or allied health program that fits your goals.
Best Medical Assistant Certificate Programs
In this guide, you’ll find the best undergraduate and graduate medical assistant certificates, how they differ from professional certifications, and what to compare before you enroll.
Medical Assistant Programs: An Introductory Guide
We’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to the profession, its job outlook, possible work environments, and some online/hybrid and on-campus medical assistant programs to consider to earn your credentials and start a career.
The Medical Assistant Skills You Need for Success
In this guide, you’ll learn the essential medical assistant skills employers want, the certifications that open doors, and practical ways to build experience even before graduation.
