YOUR STUDENTS CONSIDERING LEARNING A TRADE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL:
THEIR CAREER IS WAITING
Here at Rosedale Technical College, we have a staff of experienced instructors who are ready to provide hands-on training to prepare your students for a successful career in the trades. With programs spanning a variety of industries, they are sure to find something that suits their interests at our school.
A Career in the Trades:
Alternative Education Options for Your Graduating Students
Likely as one of your high schoolers’ most trusted resources, you have a significant influence on the decision they make providing them your insightful guidance. You’ve gotten to know them well so it goes without saying that you want them to make the best decision for their next steps after graduation. There are a lot of options out there for high school graduates to move on to for post-secondary education — four-year colleges, community colleges, trade schools, or going straight into the workforce. It can be daunting to make a choice. Especially for those who only think that a four-year college is the “right” choice to make or your students who don’t particularly excel in a traditional classroom setting.
With that in mind, you’re in a unique position to help them explore all their options for post-secondary education, including trade schools.
You know that It’s imperative to have these conversations early on, so your students can start exploring their options and making informed decisions about their future. There are a lot of important questions to address as you make your recommendations. What are the different types of trade schools? What is the cost of tuition? How long is the program? What are the job prospects after graduation? By exploring these questions with your students, you can help them make the best decision for their future.
At Rosedale Tech, we applaud the hard work you put in to help your students find the best path for their future. As a way to support your efforts, we want to be a partner for you and would like to share the following resources and information to help navigate the next phase of life.
How to choose THE BEST TRADE SCHOOL
In 2022, there were 6,769 trade schools in the U.S. How do you know which school is the best option for your students?
Here are a few questions to ask as you explore trade school options with students:
Trade schools vary in what programs they offer. Therefore, before your students start looking for a school, they need to first decide what their career goals are so they can find a school that has programs that support those goals.
Also, look at the length of programs. They won’t always have to complete an entire two-year trade school program to achieve some career goals. For example, CDL drivers can save time and money by finding a school that offers a program that teaches them CDL essentials in a few weeks.
Our programs have a student-centric approach built around their needs, so they are fully prepared to enter the workforce. For example, our certified instructors work with small groups of students. In this way, each person gets a chance to receive help and perform hands-on projects with cutting-edge equipment and technology.
You can find quality trade schools that offer the whole college experience — like Rosedale Tech. Students can take advantage of extra curriculars activities that will introduce them to other students and provide an opportunity for meaningful connections. Our events include, but are not limited to:
- Career fairs
- Annual summer picnic
- Alumni events
- Regularly scheduled student activities
- Holiday meals
- Women in Trades
- Rosedale Riveters
- Tech Vets
Trade schools are most effective when they are designed around small classes so that each student receives one-on-one training to help them understand complex concepts. The classrooms should also be equipped with the latest equipment and technology to prepare their students for working in real-world scenarios.
For example, Rosedale Tech uses actual vehicles for technician students to work with and a two-story house that gives students studying electricity a chance to work with commercial and residential wiring.
Your students should also ask, “What trade schools are near me?” as trade schools work best as an in-person experience rather than online. Only in-person trade schools can offer the hands-on experience they need to excel in the trades. However, if their desired trade school isn’t close by, they might also want to explore their student housing options.
When a prospective student tours Rosedale Tech, we like to educate them of our accreditations, and certifications that the College and our instructors have. In addition, we make sure they understand what accreditation is and why it should be important to them.
Rosedale Technical College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career School and Colleges (ACCSC) and is licensed by the Pennsylvania Board of Private Licensed Schools. Additionally, our automotive and diesel technology programs have met the automotive service excellence standards of the ASE Foundation. The instructors of the courses are also ASE certified.
Before starting advanced educational training, your students should already be looking at their future career goals. If their education can’t help them reach those goals, the school is not the right fit.
Trade schools can’t guarantee job placement since they aren’t a job board. However, they should have processes in place that will help students network with employers and set their students up for quickly getting a job after graduation.
At Rosedale Tech, we believe in action and not just words. We are proud that our efforts in the classroom and our engagement with regional employers helps us to report high job placement rates each year.
Your students can ask graduates or those already in their desired career field for school recommendations. Otherwise, checking online ratings will give you an honest review of a trade school, some of their greatest strengths, and some of their weaknesses so that they can decide for themselves whether the school fits their needs.
Rosedale tech is not for everyone
For over 70 years, Rosedale Tech has built a rich history of helping individuals dissolve their fears and make a difference in their lives through skilled technical training that has led to meaningful employment. As the educational landscape continues to evolve and online education becomes a new normal, we stand behind our decision to continue offering our students in-person training where they can work on actual equipment in labs that offer an environment similar to what they will find in the workforce. If a student is more interested in participating in remote learning, we probably aren’t going to be the right place for them. In addition, the trades aren’t what they used to be. As technology evolves, so does the type of skilled worker needed to work on this advanced equipment. We invite students who are eager to work with their hands, troubleshoot complex problems, and work in positions with high demand that many others haven’t dared to explore. Students looking to slack off and coast through our programs should reconsider a future in the trades.
OUR TRADE SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Trade schools vary in what programs they offer. Therefore, before your students start looking for a school, they need to first decide what their personal and career goals are so they can find a school that has programs that support those goals. At Rosedale Tech, we offer training programs in the following occupations:
Your Students Can Take Our Online Quiz to Help Decide Which Program is Right for Them.
Schedules That Offer a Life Balance
Our programs can be completed in under 2 years and have a student-centered approach built around the student’s needs to get started in school, trained, and into the workforce.
Rosedale Tech offers four-day schedules that accommodate different types of learners. Daytime and evening programs are available to help students balance personal obligations with school. For example, some of your students may already have a job or be interested in working while in school. Our program schedules provide the opportunity for individuals to work before or after school depending on their schedule as well as during a 3-day weekend.
Our daytime schedule is Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The evening schedule also operates on a four-day schedule and runs from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
CAREER SERVICES
Our Student Success Team is ready to help students throughout their time at school and beyond, whether it be finding part-time or full-time work while in school, preparing to find a career upon graduation, or finding a new job as alumni. The team is ready to provide individualized service to help students find the right job for them and their future. Some of our career services include helping with resume writing, interview preparation, and connecting students with regional employers.
The Student Success Team at Rosedale Tech continually finds opportunities for students to engage with our regional employers. Some engagement opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Bi-annual career fairs
- Mock interviews
- Employer classroom presentations
- Field trips
We don’t guarantee a job, but we have a high rate of employed graduates – many of whom had received job offers before they graduated.
STUDENT LIFE
When students enroll at Rosedale Tech, they become a member of our family. Our family-oriented atmosphere and skilled staff are continuously highlighted in student surveys. We strive to provide the most supportive environment so that students can focus on their education while also developing meaningful connections. Our diverse student body welcomes individuals of all ages and all walks of life, creating a unique learning environment.
For those students who live outside the Pittsburgh area, we offer off-campus housing. Schedule a tour to see if you are eligible.
Career Outlook for the Trades
The trades need qualified, skilled workers in different industries, making it an ideal opportunity for you to jump into a top career in your field of choice. While the trades used to be more predominant, many workers shifted to soft-skill jobs after US companies went abroad to fulfill many of their manufacturing needs. Because of this, more workers left trade jobs at a faster rate than the jobs were outsourced, leaving a gaping need in the trade industry for more workers — and a massive opportunity for your students.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the number of jobs in each field in 2020:
- Automotive Service Technician: 703,800 jobs
- Automotive Body and Glass Repairer: 173,400 jobs
- Diesel Technician: 275,400 jobs
- Electrical Engineer Technician: 117,00 jobs
- HVAC Mechanic: 380,400 jobs
- Welder: 418,200 jobs
- Industrial technician: 64,100 jobs
- CDL Driver: 1,951,600 jobs
Rosedale’s
FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS
The average cost of a trade school per year is $16,500 total for tuition and supplies. However, tuition often ranges between $3,674 and $15,923, depending on how long the program lasts and your field of study. In addition, other materials you might need, such as books, raise the cost along with off-campus housing if you need it.
We understand that costs can quickly feel overwhelming when looking at higher education. That’s why we have a simple financial aid process. Our financial aid officers can examine your students’ situation and give them a financial estimate.
If your students are unsure whether you can afford trade school, they need to know that our school is eligible for federal financial aid.
Some of the loans, grants and awards our students are eligible for include:
- Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Grant
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- Student Educational Assistance Foundation Grant
- Federal Direct Loan Program
- Federal Direct PLUS Loans
- Veterans Benefits
- Workforce Investment Act
- Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Trade Readjustment Allowances
- Pittsburgh Promise
- Various 3rd party scholarships
- Rosedale Technical College Institutional Grants
While we can’t guarantee acceptance of these financial aid options, we have seen most of our students receive some type of financial aid.
Learn More
About Rosedale
What opportunities does Rosedale offer high school students to explore the different trade programs?
They Can Shadow a Student at Rosedale as they attend class for an inside look at how a typical day might play out at Rosedale.
You Can Facilitate a High School Field Trip to Rosedale Technical college to experience hands-on demonstrations, tours, and presentations.
They Can Join Us for an Open House either in person or virtually to explore our programs, meet instructors, see the school, and learn about the financial aid process.
come see rosedale tech for yourself!
A lot of exciting things are happening at Rosedale Tech and we encourage you to come see for yourself how a Rosedale Tech education can make a difference in a student’s life.
Some ways you can engage with us include:
- Schedule a tour to come see the school for yourself
- Schedule a field trip to bring some of your students to the College
- Invite a member of our Education Outreach team to your school to speak with your students (they don’t have to come just for trade-specific classes!)
- Share information about upcoming events with your students
- Follow our social media pages to see what’s going on at the College
Kassidi Kabler
Education Outreach Coordinator
Doug Nelson
Education Outreach Coordinator
Anthony Sharro
Education Outreach Coordinator