15 Best Trade Schools In Michigan | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply

Thousands of students attend trade schools in Michigan every year in search of career-focused education. 

Students can pursue a career that combines their talents and passions with industry-specific skill training and education as early as high school for an associate degree, diploma, or certificate from a trade school. 

Trade Schools in Michigan include both public and private institutions. Trade school programs in Michigan frequently provide training for the state’s expanding industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and construction. 

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 74% of technical and trade school graduates find work in their field, compared to 53% of academic graduates.

We made this choice to assist you in selecting the trade school that will best prepare you for a successful career. 

This article also contains essential information about the schools and programs, such as costs, duration, accreditation, etc. 

Trade Schools in Michigan provide high-quality, hands-on training in a variety of high-demand industries, including: 

Medical Care, Beauty, Construction, and Other Services 

There are many excellent options available, so we invite you to continue reading and decide where you want to build a successful career based on your skills and interests.

See Also: 15 Best Trade Schools in Delaware | Costs, Requirements, How to Apply

Are there Trade Schools in Michigan? 

Michigan has over 60 trade schools fueling the state’s extensive blue-collar workforce. Trade schools in Michigan provide many financial aid options, including scholarships. Some of the best Trade Schools are:

  1. Northwestern Technological Institute 
  2. Michigan Builders License & Continuing Competency
  3. Healthcare Solutions and Career Group 
  4. Ross Medical Education
  5. Phlebotomy Training Center
  6.  Detroit Training Center
  7.  Merrill Institute
  8.  Dymond Designs Beauty School
  9.  Barber/Styling College of Lansing
  10.  Blue Heron Academy
  11. Ferris State University 
  12. Carnegie institute 
  13. Northern Michigan University 
  14. Alpena Community College
  15. Gogebic Community College

How much do Trade Schools in Michigan Cost?

Newly enrolled students in community colleges and career and vocational schools in Michigan paid an average of $3,900 in 2020-2021, while universities charged $13,400.

What are the Requirements for Trade Schools In Michigan?

Each applicant will have to complete an evaluation that measures general ability.

Prospective students must have graduated from an excellent high school, completed a recognized equivalent (GED), or finished secondary education in a home school setting treated as a home school or private school under state law eligible for admission.

What are the Best Trade Schools In Michigan | 2024?

This guide ranks the 15 best trade schools in Michigan. It also covers other important information for prospective students, such as scholarship opportunities for trade school students, courses offered, and tuition fees.

1. Northwestern Technological Institute 

Northwestern Technological Institute offers HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and Air conditioning) training in Southfield, Michigan. 

Since its inception in 1979, the school has produced thousands of successful graduates. 

Field-experienced instructors teach the fundamentals of the HVAC/R and mechanical trades hands-on. 

Students can earn four national HVAC certifications at the school: EPA 609 Auto Air Certification, Trac Pipe Certification, R-410a Certification, and EPA 608 Universal Certification. 

Northwestern Technological Institute has nine classrooms outfitted with various technologies, ranging from the most recent models to older units still in people’s homes. 

The HVAC training program is only 9.5 months long. Graduates could be skilled HVAC technicians in less than a year. 

The school offers morning, afternoon, and evening classes to accommodate students’ schedules. 

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs licenses northwestern Technological Institute. 

READ ALSO:  Best Dental Assistant Schools in Los Angeles | Cost, Requirement & How To Apply

The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges has granted Northwestern Technological Institute accreditation.

Visit the school: https://northwesterntech.edu/ 

2. Michigan Builders License & Continuing Competency

Michigan Builders License & Continuing Competency provides pre-licensing and continuing competency classes for new and experienced builders. It is considered one of the best trade schools in Michigan.

Michigan Builders License offers the highest quality certification training for the Michigan Builders License to adult students. 

The school creates self-study software. 

Students can learn at their own pace from any location with Internet access, including an office, home, or public library. 

Michigan Builders License is a national leader in professional certification training software.

To get your Michigan Builders Pre-license, follow the following steps:

  • Complete the 60 hours of required pre-license education
  • Mail your Michigan Builders License application and Course Completion Certificate to the State of Michigan
  • Take your exam

Visit the school: https://www.michiganbuilderslicense.com/ 

3. Healthcare Solutions and Career Group 

At its locations in Detroit and Allen Park, HealthCare Solutions and Career Group train future nursing assistants and healthcare technicians. 

Depending on the program, class length ranges from 4 hours to 15 weeks.

Courses offered:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (2 weeks)
  • Patient Care Technician Combo (8 weeks total)
  • Phlebotomy Technician (4 weeks)
  • CPR-BLS (4 hours)
  • EKG Technician (2 weeks)
  • Dialysis Technician (15 weeks)–only at the Detroit campus
  • Direct Care Worker (3 weeks)–only at the Detroit campus
  • Home Health Aide (1 week)–only at the Detroit campus

Visit school: https://www.healthcaresolutionsandcareergroup.com 

4. Ross Medical Education

Ross Medical Education provides various healthcare training programs across 40 campuses to help students prepare for careers and certification in specialized medical fields. 

Michigan is home to 17 of the 40 campuses. 

The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools has accredited all Ross Medical Education Center and Ross College campuses. 

The state serves licenses to each Ross Medical Education Center and Ross College campus. 

Courses offered:

Ross Medical Education offers the following programs at its Michigan campuses.

  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration
  • Dental Assistant
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Veterinary Assistant
  • Nursing Assistant

The school also offers the following online programs:

  • Human, Social, and Health Services
  • Medical Assistant
  • Health Administrative Services
  • Medical Office Management
  • Medical Billing Administrative Specialist

See Also: 15 Best Trade Schools in Kansas City | Costs, Requirements, How to Apply

Visit the school: https://rosseducation.edu/

5. Phlebotomy Training Center

The Phlebotomy Training Center offers medical personnel training in a variety of specializations. 

Phlebotomy Career Training has graduated both local Michigan and national students in various medical careers, both online and offline, since 2009. 

Courses range from 4 weeks to 5 months in duration. 

Nancy Kimmel is the owner and school director of Phlebotomy Career Training, which offers online and in-person classes. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner with a Ph.D.

Courses offered:

Some of the online classes offered by the Phlebotomy Training Center are:

  • Online Medical Assistant with National Exam
  • Online Medical Coding and Billing Certification
  • Online Home Health Aide Certification
  • Online I.V. Technician Certification
  • Online EKG and Telemetry with Nationals, 4 Certifications
  • Online Medication Aide Certification
  • Online Mental Health Tech Certification

Some of the in-person classes and educational packages offered by the Phlebotomy Training Center are:

  • Accredited Medical Assistant, EKG, Patient Care Technician, IV Tech–6 Certifications
  • Cardio-Phlebotomy Technician In Class–8 Certifications
  • Certified Nursing Assistant
  • Clinical Medical Assistant Certification
  • Dialysis Technician Certification
  • Patient Care Technician
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Medical Assistant–Mega 12 Includes Pharmacy Tech & Medical Billing & Coding
  • Medical Assistant–Super 20 certifications (7 at the National level)

Visit school: https://phlebotomycareertraining.com/ 

6. Detroit Training Center

The Detroit Training Center offers a wide range of workforce development and construction training programs. 

The Center also provides home improvement workshops, welding classes, green infrastructure training, and programs for building tiny houses.

Courses offered:

  • Workforce Development
  • Commercial Driver’s License: CDL-A and CDL-B
  • Home Improvement Workshops
  • Residential Construction
  • Real Estate Training
  • Computer-aided Design
  • Welding
  • Safety and License: Lead Inspector, OSHA 10&30, Asbestos Abatement
  • Equipment Certification
  • Contractor Development

Visit the school: https://www.detroittraining.com/

7. Merrill Institute

Merrill Institute offers 12-week hands-on welding training programs for aspiring professionals.  It is considered one of the best trade schools in Michigan.

READ ALSO:  Best Music Schools in Georgia | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply

Merril’s fabrication facility is home to the school. 

The school provides students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe a live manufacturing plant in action while learning from AWS-certified instructors and educators. 

Students will spend 85% of their time in welding labs and only 15% in the classroom. 

Over 93% of welding program graduates begin new jobs immediately after completing the program. 

Merrill Institute is an AWS Accredited Testing Facility. Students who complete the 12-week program earn a nationally recognized SENSE Level I Certification from the American Welding Society (AWS). 

The school provides many payment options, including scholarships and grants. 

Students who meet the qualifications can also apply their VA Education Benefits to cover tuition costs for the Merrill Institute’s welding program.

Visit the school: https://www.merrillinstitute.com/

8. Dymond Designs Beauty School

Dymond Designs Beauty School offers full-time and part-time programs for aspiring cosmetologists and instructors. 

The curriculum at the school gives each student hands-on and classroom experience in design, cutting, coloring, relaxing, extensions, and multicultural techniques. 

The staff and instructors at the school are highly skilled professionals with years of experience. 

They teach students to work ethics, professionalism, and communication. 

They hold Full-time classes on Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Part-time classes have from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Courses offered:

  • Cosmetology (1500 Hours)
  • Manicuring (600 Hours)
  • Esthetics (600 Hours)
  • Instructor- Hair Cultivation Course (600 Hours)
  • Refresher Courses (400 Hours)
  • Advanced Classes (400 Hours)

Visit the school: https://www.dymonddesignsbeauty.com/

9. Barber/Styling College of Lansing

Lansing Barber/Styling College prepares future barbers for successful careers. 

The practical training area at the College can accommodate 40 full-time students. 

Barber and styling chairs, sanitizers, lather machines, hot and cold water sinks, mirrors, linen cabinets, and other amenities are available. 

Student desks, a dry-erase board, anatomy charts, a VCR and TV for instructional tapes, a complete source reference library, and mannequins are all available in the school classroom. 

They completed the program in one year. 

They spread the 2000 hours out over 50 weeks at 40 hours per week. Graduates will have completed 250 hours of theory and 1,750 hours of practical training. 

The Michigan State Board of Barber Examiners, the Michigan Department of Education Rehabilitation Services, and the Michigan Department of Education.

Visit School: http://www.lansingbarbercollege.com/ 

10. Blue Heron Academy

Lansing Barber/Styling College prepares aspiring barbers for a rewarding career. 

The College’s practical training area can accommodate 40 full-time students. 

Other amenities include barber and styling chairs, sanitizers, lather machines, hot and cold water sinks, mirrors, linen cabinets, and other amenities. 

The school classroom has student desks, a dry-erase board, anatomy charts, a VCR and TV for instructional tapes, a complete source reference library, and mannequins. 

They completed the program in a single year. 

They divide the 2000 hours into 50 weeks of 40 hours per week. Graduates will have spent 250 hours on theory and 1,750 hours on practice. 

The Michigan State Board of Barber Examiners, the Michigan Department of Education Rehabilitation Services, and the Michigan State Board of Barber Examiners

Courses offered:

  • Medical Massage Therapy
  • Holistic Health Practitioner
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Personal Fitness Trainer
  • Life Coach
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Herbal Medicine
  • Diet-Weight Management
  • Acupressure & Massage

See Also: 15 Best Trade Schools in Brooklyn | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply

Visit the school: https://www.blueheronacademy.com/

11. Ferris State University

  • LOCATION: Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University’s Automotive Technology program emphasizes hands-on training to prepare students for future careers as service technicians, transmission specialists, and auto shop managers. 

The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) endorses this 18-month program, and instructors hold certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). 

Graduates may also complete a Light Duty Diesel Technology program; for this option, students earn their ASE certifications in Automobile and Light Truck over a summer session or enroll for the third year of study (9 months), culminating in an AAS degree besides ASE certification.

Visit school here

12. Carnegie Institute

Carnegie Institute is a private postsecondary school that prepares students for careers in the medical field. 

Our students work in doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics, and care centers throughout Michigan. 

READ ALSO:  15 Best Trade Schools In Maryland | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply

We have been the forerunners in allied health training since 1947. Medical employers and hospitals seek after our graduates because it prepares them well for their careers. It’s preferable to be a Carnegie Graduate rather than compete with one!”

Visit school here 

13. Delta College 

Delta – Michigan is an excellent public college near the Saginaw Area in Frankenlust Township, Michigan. It is a small college with a total enrollment of 2,383 undergraduate students. It is considered one of the best trade schools in Michigan.

Delta – Michigan has a 100% acceptance rate. Liberal arts and humanities, nursing, and business are all popular majors.

 Delta – Michigan alums earn a starting salary of $24,700 after graduating 21% of students.

Visit school here 

14. Alpena Community College

Alpena Community College offers students a supportive academic journey into higher education, with small class sizes, two local campuses, and frequent interaction with classmates and professors. 

The vocational programs offered are career-focused, developing students in their efforts to join the workforce.

 Some programs permit students to transfer to four-year degree programs if desired. 

Areas of study range from various industries, with technical programs such as criminal justice, business, economics, marine technology, and healthcare.

 Students enjoy several support services on campus, including a library, student services center, wireless connectivity in different campus locations, and volunteer centers.

Visit school here

15. Gogebic Community College

Gogebic Community College is an academic institution on the far western tip of the Upper Peninsula that could be a suitable choice for learners who prefer close-knit learning to set.

 The school features a student population of around 1,000 students and a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, showing that administrators and instructors are likely to have time and resources available to help students one-on-one whenever they need it.

GCC’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Program is one of the unique programs that can train students to earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) before they hold a temporary instructional permit.

 It is also one of the few career academic institutions in Michigan to deliver education in Ski Area Management through an associate degree program that comprises 12 credits of work experience as a capstone completion.

Visit school here 

How Much do Traders Make in Michigan?

Skilled tradespeople can earn a solid wage. In Michigan, wages for skilled trade workers range from a beginning hourly rate of $13 to $34 for those with more experience. An annual salary of $ 27,000 – $ 71,000 per year.

As of Aug 27, 2022, the average annual pay for a Trader in Michigan is $66,088 yearly.

How do I become a Trader in Michigan?

  • Students

Unsure about your future? Explore a career in skilled trades. Check out exciting, in-demand opportunities with great pay.

  • Job Seekers

Unhappy with your job or looking for new options? Explore skilled trades. Learn about the careers, earnings, and satisfaction that skilled trades have. Find employment and training near you.

Best-Paying Jobs In Michigan with Salary 

  • Aircraft mechanics and technicians earn $52,790.
  • Automotive body repairers: $48,370.
  • Control and valve installers and repairers: $59,760.
  • Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial: $54,470.
  • Electrical power-line installers and repairers: $68,380.

Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs are in high demand in Michigan?

Fastest Growing Careers in Michigan
– Advanced Manufacturing and Construction. Industrial Mechanic. Millwright. Machinist. 
– Agriculture. Agriculture Engineer. Farmer. Pest Control Technician. 
– Information Technology. Computer Numerical Controller. Web Developer. 
– Transportation and Aviation. Cargo Agent. Captain (Airline) 

How do I know what trade is right for me?

Tips for choosing a trade
– Think about your interests. One benefit of a trade job is making a living off your goods. 
– Determine your talents. 
– Talk to a career counselor. 
– Look into pre-apprenticeship programs. 
– Take a career quiz. 
– Interview tradespeople. 
– Research job growth. 
– Explore work environments.

What is the highest-paid skilled job in Michigan?

With an average salary of $252,000, Electrical power-line installers and repairers are the highest-paying professionals in the state.

Conclusion 

Michigan trade schools provide various educational programs to help students launch a rewarding career in just a few months. 

All you have to do is decide on your dream job and look for the best institution to meet your educational needs. 

Before enrolling in a trade school, ensure that the institution is reputable and that government agencies accredited the classes.

References 

See also: Top Best-paying jobs in basic industries

We Also Recommend

Leave a Comment