There is a misconception among many young people today that the only path to a successful career is through traditional college. This has left us with many of the following people:
- They have degrees but no idea what to do with them and they offer no obvious employment opportunities.
- They wash up into dead-end jobs with no real room for advancement
- They find their way into a trade by accident or luck, learn some skills, make money, and advance their career
The overemphasis placed on the college route has blinded many young people to a real career in the skilled trades.
Since you are here then you must at least understand that skilled trades exist, but you probably have questions. New Castle School of Trades has made a list of all the relevant questions we could come up with or have been asked in the past. As we receive new requests for information we post the questions here.
Trade School Frequently Asked Questions
The term skilled trades encompass career paths that require manual work but are far above the level of simple labor or a construction job.
Examples include:
- Electrician
- Pipe Fitter
- Plumber
- Mechanic
- Machinist
- Framer
- Carpenter
- Cabinet Maker
- HVAC Technician
Yes, you can! While wages will vary widely depending on trade, region, experience, and other factors, you can make a great living as a tradesman.
An entry-level employee in many trades can expect to make between $30,000 and $60,000 a year which is more than respectable.
One advantage is that many tradesmen work at an hourly rate instead of being paid a set salary. This means if you exceed 40 hours in a single workweek you will be compensated for every hour. Many positions offer “time and a half” for overtime. This means that for every hour more than 40, you will be paid your standard hourly rate plus half of that rate.
This will vary depending on the trade, your employer, and other factors, but there are some broad similarities among tradesmen.
Tradesmen tend to start work earlier in the morning, which means they get off earlier in the day. For example, 6 am to 2 pm is a fairly standard schedule for many in the construction trades. While early mornings can be tough, these hours help you avoid unpleasant things such as heavy traffic and hot afternoons in the summer.
This is an incomplete list of the many skilled trades out there with some of the specialties within each broader category listed as well.
Electrician
Electrician
- Low voltage specialty (security, fire alarms, automation, etc.)
- High voltage (high power linemen, heavy industrial plants)
- Commercial (large commercial building projects and properties)
- Residential (homes, apartments, condominiums)
- Framer (rough carpentry, building frameworks for buildings, homes, etc.)
- Finish carpenter (trim work, door and window work, floors, and more)
- Cabinet maker
- Interior remodeling (kitchens, bathrooms, etc.)
- Manual machinist
- CNC operator
- Wastewater
- Gasfitter
- Asphalt
- Metal
- Slate
- Cedar shake
New Castle School of Trades has several trade programs to choose from. Visit our program page to see all options for our New Castle, PA, and East Liverpool, OH Campuses.
Yes! The economies of different states and regions in the US will always fluctuate and there will sometimes be more demand in one area than another, but that is the same with any job.
There is always a demand for hard-working skilled tradesmen, both because they are necessary, and companies are always searching for individuals who have mastered their trade.
Buildings will always be constructed, a repair will always be required, engines will never cease to break down and the world will always need tradesmen. Contact some of your local trade associations or businesses for detailed information about your area. Explain to them who you are and why you are calling. Chances are they’ll be happy to help you out.
Yes, they are!
It sure does. You begin in an entry-level position and work your way through tests and certifications until you are a qualified and licensed professional.
Trade School is a lot like college, the only difference is what you learn. If you went to college to learn chemistry, you would have regular classroom lecture time and also time working with elements in a lab setting.
A trade school does the same thing. You learn theory and information in the classroom and then practice application in the lab. Only your lab has engines, hammers, saws, and milling machines rather than beakers and bunsen burners.
There are an ample amount of advantages to attending a trade school. From the quick training, spending a fraction of the money as college tuition, and hands-on learning to name a few. Read about all of the benefits of attending New Castle School of Trades.
That will depend on the program you enroll in and can be anything from a few months to a couple of years, which is still far less than college. If you know what you are interested in learning, check out our New Castle program page for more detailed information.
The biggest difference between trade schools and other colleges is the amount of time students must spend completing their education. Most trade school programs only offer certification or an Associate Degree in Specialized Technology that students can complete in about one year, while students who attend other colleges often take a minimum of four years to complete their education.
The cost of attending a trade school will vary according to the program you decide to enroll in. At New Castle School of Trades, students who qualify will have some form of financial aid available for them. This financial aid usually consists of grants, which students do not have to pay back, and/or loans, which will need to be paid back. Of course, for students who can afford it, pay out-of-pocket is always an option as well.
To start the admissions process at New Castle School of Trades, you can choose to call our Admission’s office at 1-833-352-0808 or fill out the form on this page to set up a time to speak with an NCST representative. Once you are certain you are ready to get started with your trade school education, you can begin filling out our New Castle School of Trades application.
Contact NCST Today!
New Castle School of Trades has been helping students in Pennsylvania and Ohio get the training they need to begin the career they want. Real people. Real careers.