Do a Little Research Before Enrolling in Private Trade School

To compete in the job market, it is becoming more necessary than ever to have advanced skills in some occupational specialty.

For some people, getting marketable skills means going to a traditional college or university. Others choose to try what can be a much quicker and more specific route: enrolling in a private trade school.

Because of a rash of trade school closures in the late 1980s, typically the result of the schools’ financial instability, some would-be students are wary about such schools--and they should be.

There are some fairly reliable ways, however, to find a decent trade school.

Time and cost are the most important considerations. Depending on the occupation you want, training programs span from a few weeks to a year or more. Decide how long you’re willing to stay in school.

Then figure out how much money you can spend on a program. In general, you may pay between $300 and $500 per 30-hour week of instruction, and financial aid is becoming more scarce.

When you make a list of potential trade schools, the first thing to check is whether the school is licensed by the California State Department of Education.

It is illegal for a trade school to operate without a license, but that doesn’t stop some fly-by-night operations. Roy Steeves, a consultant to the State Council for Private Post-Secondary and Vocational Education, estimates that about 200 to 300 of the 2,500 trade schools in the state are unlicensed.

The license means that the trade school has met some fairly rigid standards of quality and dependability, Steeves says. It indicates, for example, that the school is financially stable and will most likely stay in business long enough for you to graduate.

“They’re going to have to show that they have the rent, that they can capitalize the start-up costs without (relying on) student prepayments,” said Steeves.

In addition to meeting local building and safety requirements, the trade school must also supply only instructors who have trained and/or worked in the occupation for at least five years.

Also, the school must follow a realistic curriculum that will give you marketable job skills in a reasonable amount of time.

The licensing process includes careful review of a lengthy application submitted by the school, along with a campus visit by a state official.

To find out whether a school is licensed, call the State Department of Education’s Private Postsecondary Education Division at (213) 620-4257.

Many schools also have been accredited by the Assn. of Independent Colleges and Schools (AICS), or by the National Assn. of Trade and Technical Schools (NATTS).

Both agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as fair evaluators of trade schools. AICS accredits business-related schools while NATTS examines technological programs.

Both use criteria similar to those used by the state.

Accreditation is certainly a plus, but don’t ignore trade schools that don’t have it. “Accreditation probably is not as significant as it is in other states because California (licensing) law is extremely comprehensive,” said Steeves. It does, however, provide some additional assurance of the quality of the educational program.

Once you find a trade school with the right credentials, call a counselor or adviser at the campus and ask some questions.

Find out how long the training program takes, how much it costs and whether you would qualify for financial aid.

Beware of any school that requires you to pay for the whole program ahead of time; you should be able to pay as you go, as at a college or university.

Call the school’s placement center and ask what percentage of recent graduates actually got jobs.

Also, ask what kinds of placement services are offered. Are they free? A good center will help you write a resume, teach you to interview well, and will keep a file of any letters of recommendation you may collect.

In addition--and this is important--ask the placement center for names and phone numbers of some recent graduates, and of some businesses which have hired graduates.

Talk to the personnel directors of the businesses. How many graduates has the company hired, and for what positions and salary? How well trained do the grads seem to be and will the business continue to hire from the school?

Also ask the personnel director which specific skills a job applicant should have, and what equipment you should know.

Are former students pleased with the training they received? Did they have any problems with the curriculum or instructors? How long did it take them to find a job? And did they get the position they were trained and hoping for?

Visit the school while it’s in session, if possible.

Is the building safe and pleasant?

Will you be taught all the skills that employers said you’ll need?

Do you see the types of equipment and tools mentioned as crucial by employers? Is the equipment in good working order, or is it falling apart? Is there enough of it so that you will get frequent practice, or will you have to wait a long time for your turn?

Are the instructors patient and knowledgeable?

Consider that the quality of your training will help determine your future career, salary and standard of living.