You have a bright future ahead of you, and a lot of choices to make. When you think about your future, what do you see? We know how scary it must be for graduates to try to navigate next steps, especially during these unprecedented times, but we have a solution that could work for so many prospective students looking for a meaningful career with a lot of demand!
Have You Considered a Career in the Trades?
For many high school students, pursuing a skilled trade at a technical college is not their first decision. Many people do not even really know what a job in the trades looks like. However, we are in the business of training problem solvers, which many prospective students heading to college may find to be a perfect fit for them.
Rosedale Tech is a trade school with over 70 years of experience teaching the industry’s future experts and preparing students for careers in high demand fields with real, live work and hands-on training.
So, amid a struggling economy and uncertain times, Rosedale Technical College continues to provide opportunities, training, and job placement to many students.
We’re Different Than Your Average College
Graduate in less time
Four years is a long time, and everyone has a different path to reach their goals. Attending a trade school is typically a faster path from education to job placement. At Rosedale Technical College, we have various programs that range from 10 weeks to 18 months in the following fields:
- Automotive Technology
- Diesel Technology
- HVAC Technology
- Industrial Technician
- Collision Repair Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Welding Technician
- CDL Training
An associate in specialized technology (AST) degree can be earned in just 16 months for many of these programs! If you want to enter the workforce faster than your average four-year degree, a trade school education might be perfect for you.
Funding Your Future with Less Debt
Trade schools are also less expensive than traditional colleges on average. According to the Community for Accredited Online Schools, a four-year college degree costs $127,000 on average, while the average trade school program costs about $33,000. On average, a trade school education will take you less time, cost less money, and have you earning as a skilled worker faster!
Students that qualify for financial aid* can receive step-by-step assistance from our financial aid team to ensure they are finding the types of financial aid, grants, loans, and other forms of assistance they may qualify for.
Trades Remain in Demand
As four-year degrees have grown in popularity, the need for skilled workers has become greater. Fewer students are choosing trade schools, and there is a shortage of skilled workers. According to the Department of Labor, the US economy had 7.6 million unfilled jobs, but only 6.5 million people were looking for work as of January 2019. A large reason for this is because many of those jobs are trade-based jobs, and there are not enough skilled workers to fill them. One reason why these jobs remain in demand is our country’s aging infrastructure. Each year, workers are needed for constant repairs, and an education in industrial technology or welding technology could help you work towards jobs in infrastructure.
Skilled laborers are also considered essential workers. As we’ve seen, the demand for essential workers is higher than it’s been in decades because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security classifies essential workers as those who, “conduct a range of operations and services that are typically essential to continued critical infrastructure viability, including staffing operations centers, maintaining and repairing critical infrastructure, operating call centers, working construction, and performing operational functions, among others.”
If you’re looking for a more stable career, despite economic downturns, a job as an essential worker in infrastructure, with training in our industrial technician or welding programs, could be a great move for you.
Currently, we have an 88% job placement rate, because we strive to work with all our students during their time with us to secure a job immediately following graduation. We want to prepare our students for the business side of careers and do so by:
- Resume and cover letter training
- Interview preparation
- Connecting students with regional employers
We are currently partnered with Mazda North America so students can enroll in the Mazda Automotive Student Training (MAST) program. This program was designed to train and prepare automotive graduates with the skills necessary to work as a technician at a Mazda dealership. Students also have the opportunity to browse jobs through the online platform Handshake, which allows students to share their education, job experience, projects, and more.
We’re a Family at Rosedale Tech
Your education isn’t just about gaining new skills, it’s about creating connections and friendships that can last a lifetime. We want our students to feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. At Rosedale, we also foster an inclusive environment. We value diversity and inclusion amongst all our staff and students.
Women in the Trades
As more women are considering trade schools as opposed to traditional four-year degrees, we want to help them with the opportunity to get their education in a fun, safe environment. We offer a Women in the Trades Grant, which is a $2,000 grant paid over the 4 semesters required to complete the degree program for eligible applicants. We also host Women in the Trades Days, where high school students can hear from female students and alumni about opportunities in nontraditional fields.
Student Life
At Rosedale, we offer affordable off-campus housing at Penn Commons, located in Pittsburgh’s historical cultural district. There are options for fully furnished shared rooms and private rooms for eligible students. We want our students to enjoy their time both on and off-campus, and to have fun in their education. Housing may be included in financial aid for students that qualify.
Join the Rosedale Family
Are you ready to get started in an industrial field? We can help you create a future you can be excited about. Contact us today to learn more about Rosedale Technical College, and find out how you can get started. We look forward to meeting you!
*Financial aid is available to those who qualify.