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Tuscaloosa is known as the home of the best universities with academic excellence.
Some of the best universities are trade schools that have programs and courses that are usually completed in less than 2 years.
The annual salary of trade workers in Tuscaloosa is approximately $125,737.
We have gathered a list of the top trade schools around Tuscaloosa where they offer different fields such as cosmetology, driving, welding, medicine, and many more.
Vocational training can be a good option if you want to begin a fulfilling profession but cannot afford to attend college for four years.
Shelton State Community College
About the School
The Shelton State Community College is one of the largest two-year community colleges with approximately 7,000 students and 3,000 full-time students.
They embrace the diversity of their students with unique skills that will fit their offered programs and courses.
The Shelton State Community College owns two campuses both located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Alabama has six HBCU community colleges, including Shelton State.
With an overall investment that is significantly less than that of for-profit vocational schools or traditional four-year universities, Shelton State provides higher education to all students.
Courses Offered
The Shelton State Community College offers different courses and programs in various fields and here are some:
- Behavioral Sciences
- Anthropology
- Criminal Justice
- Geography
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
Business/Computer Science
- Business
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Paralegal
Fine Arts
- Art
- Dance
- Music
- Theatre
Health, Wellness, Food & Nutrition
- Athletic Training
- Home Economics/Nutrition
- Kinesiology – Exercise Science
- Physical Education
- Recreation
- Wellness
And many more!
Aside from these academic programs, they also offer technical programs such as Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology, Automotive Services technology, Business Office Management & Technology, and many more.
Apart from the stated program above, they also offer Culinary Arts that offer a combination of academic knowledge, practical skills, and the ability to properly act and follow the basic standards to attain success in the sector of foods and culinary.
Contact
- Shelton State Community College
- Martin Campus
- Address: 9500 Old Greensboro Rd Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
- Phone: 205.391.2211
- C.A. Fredd Campus
- Address: 3401 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
- Phone: 205.391.2611
- Website: https://www.sheltonstate.edu
Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy
About the School
In the metropolitan Tuscaloosa, Alabama, area, about 11,000 Pre-K through 12th grade students receive their education from the Tuscaloosa City Schools.
From the first day of school to their graduation, more than 1,500 committed staff members serve the community by pushing students to a curriculum that exceeds their expectations throughout all 21 campuses.
The goal of the Tuscaloosa City Schools is to become a world-class, cutting-edge educational institution where every student graduates fully equipped for success in both life and the workplace.
Courses Offered
One of Tuscaloosa Career & Technology’s aims is to provide their students with a fine and bright curriculum for the greater future of their students.
Here are some of their offered programs:
- Hair Coloring & CTE Lab
- Health Science Internship
- Introduction to Fire & CTE Lab
- Introduction to Robotics
- Plumbing I-III & CTE Lab
- Salon Practice and Management
- Sports Medicine Advanced
- Building Construction I-III and CTE Lab
- Cosmetology State Board Program
- Culinary Arts II & CTE Lab
- Electrical I-III & CTE Lab
- Firefighting
- Welding I-III, Senior Career Pathway Program, CTE Lab
In addition, there are numerous additional sectors including TV production, photo editing, barbering, culinary arts, cosmetology, chemical services, and therapeutic services that provide hybrid degrees.
Animal Science, Visual Communications, Aquaculture Science, Emergency Services, Food & Nutrition, Intro to TV Production, Lodging I, Plant Biotechnology, Story Boarding, Animation, Filmmaking, and more are among the programs that are available in both traditional and virtual versions.
Contact
- Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy
- Address: 2800 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard,
- Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
- Phone: 205-759-3649
- Website: https://www.tuscaloosacityschools.com
University Academy of Hair Design
About the School
The University Academy of Hair Design is made to help students accomplish their goals with the guidance of their strong technical platform.
In addition, their goal is to properly train their students to be eligible to sit for the licensure state exam.
Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the University Academy of Hair Design spans more than 6,000 square feet and was established in August 2004.
Premier salon equipment, two roomy classrooms that can be closed off from the rest of the building, and a reception area with computerized client booking are all included in this 6000-square-foot facility.
Courses Offered
The University Academy of Hair Design offers a Cosmetology program that covers different topics such as Manicure, Hair Shaping, Chemical Relaxing, Scalp and Hair Treatments, Brow and Lash Care, Skin care, and more.
They also offer an instructor program that consists of 650 hours with specific topics like theory, Alabama law and regulations, teaching skills, preparing student records, testing and evaluation, and more.
A student who completes the 1,500 clock-hour cosmetology program with a cumulative grade of at least 70% will have fulfilled the program’s requirements.
Cosmetology is a program that gives students practical experience with various procedures such as perming, coloring, haircutting, and hair style.
Contact
- University Academy of Hair Design
- Address: 2204 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
- Phone: 205-333-7373
- Website: http://uahairdesign.com
Alabama Fire College
About the School
The Alabama Fire College has been serving firefighter training since 1936 and as years passed, they expanded and improved their demanded service like EMS, rescue technician, and other programs.
To continuously provide the best quality of training, Alabama Fire College hires the best instructors and ensures they possess superb facilities and services.
The Fire Officer I program is open to individuals who are Certified Fire Fighters and Certified Fire Inspectors, while the Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I program only requires a high school diploma.
The NREMT Paramedic First Attempt Pass Rate at Alabama Fire College is 98.5%.
Courses Offered
A unique opportunity to obtain thorough and specialized training in firefighting techniques, emergency response, and life-saving abilities is to attend Alabama Fire College’s firefighter recruit school.
The curriculum is renowned for creating highly qualified and competent firemen and for having top-notch facilities and knowledgeable teachers.
LP in Emergency Medical Technician is an online course.
Although LP in Emergency Medical Technician coursework can be performed at the student’s own speed, the course must be finished in full within four months of the commencement date.
Here are some courses that they offer:
- Fire Inspector I
- Fire and Emergency Services Instructor
- Airport Fire Fighter
- Fire Officer II
- And more.
Contact
- Alabama Fire College
- Address: 2501 Phoenix Dr, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405
- Phone: (800) 241-2467
- Website: https://www.alabamafirecollege.org
Skilled Trades of West Alabama
About the School
Discover a Trade and Launch a Career with Skilled trades of West Alabama that transforms Lives.
Likewise, they provide opportunities for training and apprenticeships in the building trades with the goal of constructing a highly qualified, trained, and prepared workforce for the construction industry in Tuscaloosa County and West Alabama.
In order to fulfill the increasing demand for qualified artisans for the building industry, qualified Trades of West Alabama was established in September 2020, in the midst of the pandemic.
The Skilled Trades of West Alabama is an acknowledged and honored model for the development of crafts in the building sector.
Courses Offered
As they provide a quality education in this field here are some programs that they offer:
- HVAC
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Carpentry
Through classroom and practical instruction, the HVAC program offers training for installation, servicing, maintenance, and technician skills for heating and air conditioning systems while earning practical work experience.
The goal of the Plumbing Apprenticeship Program is to train and develop a person while they are working and getting classroom and on-the-job training.
The Electrical Program is intended to provide education to those working in the electrical industry while they are receiving on-the-job training.
Upon program completion, they will possess the necessary classroom knowledge and on-the-job hours to be eligible to take and pass the journeyman’s test.
Contact
- Skilled Trades of West Alabama
- Address: 1300 James I. Harrison Parkway Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
- Phone: 205.771.6655
- Website: https://skilledtradesofwestalabama.com
Massaged Life & Wellness Academy
About the School
Massaged Life & Wellness Academy is an acknowledged pioneer in providing accessible, effective, and morally sound instruction.
Their committed teachers have years of professional practice and teaching experience, making them experts in their fields.
Massaged Life & Wellness Academy belongs to the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau.
As mentioned on their website, they attribute their high massage board pass rates (94%) to their hardworking team, which is significantly higher than the national average of 62%.
Being a small school enables them to provide individual attention to each and every one of our kids, something we are very proud of.
Courses Offered
The program they provide was created in response to the growing need for massage, holistic health, and spa therapies.
In addition to many other topics, we provide a comprehensive training program in massage theory and practice, kinesiology, eastern modalities, clinical and medical massage, and spa techniques.
We adhere to a rigorous 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio, so no practical session will ever have more than six students. This provides for more individualized attention and one-on-one instruction time.
Motivation, attitude, character, personal ambitions, personal hygiene, financial situation, and academic aptitude are all taken into consideration while evaluating applicants.
Contact
- Massaged Life & Wellness Academy
- Address: 3518 Loop Rd #1, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
- Phone: 205-248-7416
- Website: https://massagedlife.com
SM School of Opportunity
About the School
SM School of Opportunity’s goal is to deliver the best knowledge and training possible in a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere.
The SM School of Opportunity has received accreditation from the Alabama Community College System for meeting the standard quality education in the state.
A number of training programs are available in Bessemer from SM School of Opportunity if you’d like to begin a career in healthcare.
The school’s goal is not only to offer our prospective students the greatest instruction and training possible but also to demonstrate to them the value they have to our healthcare system.
Courses Offered
Here are some programs that they offer in the field of medicine:
- Nursing Assistant – 2 or 4 weeks
- Clinical Medical Assistant – 13 weeks
- Phlebotomy Technician – 6 weeks
- CCMA Duo – 15 weeks
Depending on the schedule and format, the Nursing Assistant program can be finished in two or four weeks. It is offered in both traditional classroom and blended learning formats.
Students will get a certificate of completion upon completion of the course CCMA duo program and skills check-off, as well as the opportunity to test for the NHA (National Health Career Association) certified phlebotomy technician exam and the clinical medical assistant certification exam.
Additionally, the school offers First Aid and CPR certification.
Contact
- SM School of Opportunity
- Address: 1304 Eastern Valley Road, Bessemer, Alabama 35020, United States
- Phone: (205) 940-1880
- Website: https://smschoolofopportunity.com
Drake State Community & Technical College
About the School
To serve and improve the North Alabama community, Drake State Community and Technical College provides flexible, reasonably priced technical and university transfer degrees, industry certification, adult and continuing education, and specialized skills training.
Drake State is one of the ten community colleges nationwide chosen for the Institute for Evidence-Based Change’s (IEBC) Caring Campus Initiative.
Drake State provides its students with the essential knowledge, tools, and resources they need to succeed as well as a safe, encouraging, and herd environment.
This institution believes that every student is qualified for their programs thus, they help students by offering financial aid such as grants and scholarships to every student who meets the requirements.
Courses Offered
This Technical College offers different certificate programs having 30 to 60 college credits and short certificates having 9 to 29 college credits.
Here are some programs:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Amazon Career Choice
- Automotive Service
- Barbering
- Esthetics
- Engineering Design
- Childcare & Development
- Nail Care
- Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Welding
- And more
In the fields of advanced manufacturing programs such as Machine Tool Technology, Mechatronics, Welding, Electrical Technology, and more are available.
For those interested in a career in computer support, web development, networking, programming, or system analysis, there is a pathway in computer information systems technology.
The Salon and Spa Management program offers certificates in Barbering, Esthetics, Cosmetology Instructor, Salon Management-Nail Care, and Salon Management-Natural Hair in addition to the Salon Management-Cosmetology AAS.
Contact
- Drake State Community & Technical College
- Address: 3421 Meridian Street North, Huntsville, AL 35811
- Phone: (256) 539-8161
- Website: https://www.drakestate.edu
Bibb County Career Academy
About the School
The goal of the Bibb County School System is to give every student exceptional educational opportunities so they can succeed in life.
Providing academic support and imparting life skills that will help them succeed in their future aspirations and enable students to become contributing members of society is one of Bibb County’s goals.
The training programs offered by Bibb County Career Academy equip students for professions in elite sectors.
Courses Offered
Bibb County offers multiple programs in different fields and here are some:
- Commerce and Information Technology
- Health Science
- Agriscience
- Cosmetology
- Mechatronics
- Welding
- Automotive Services
- Building Construction
The Mechatronics program will prepare students on skills of maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting automated machinery in industrial settings, and the Automotive Services program is designed for students to be prepared for employment in car repair shops.
For students interested in the beauty field, the Bibb County Career Academy offers a cosmetology program dedicated to students who want to start a career in this field.
Contact
- Bibb County Career Academy
- Address: 17191 Hwy 5, West Blocton, AL 35184
- Phone: 205-938-7434
- Website: https://www.bibbed.org
Lawson State Community College
About the School
Lawson State Community College, situated in Birmingham and Bessemer, Alabama, is a historically black community college that is open to the public.
This college has two divisions namely the academic and career technical.
In Birmingham, Alabama, on August 24, 1949, the Wenonah State Technical Institute was established as the career technical division.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has granted Lawson State Community College accreditation to grant Associate degrees.
The nursing program at Lawson State has consistently been rated as the best in the state.
Courses Offered
Lawson State provides ground, virtual, online, and hybrid course options with flexible enrollment.
Lawson provides enrolled students with experiential learning opportunities through its four Centers of Excellence (Automotive, Mechatronics, HVAC, and STEM).
The most enrolled program at Lawson is pre-nursing and nursing.
This college offers more than 100 programs in career and technical, college transfer, and here are some:
- Advertising
- Animal Science
- Art History
- Art Studio
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Child Development
- Chemistry
- Cinematic art
- Creative Media
- Criminal justice
- Health
- History
- Law and Justice
- Math Education
- Neuroscience
- Nutrition
- Physics
- Political Science
- Pre-Nursing
- Psychology
- And more
Majoring in the social sciences can lead to successful employment and high-paying positions in a variety of fields, including urban planning, psychology, sociology, psychology, politics, criminal justice, and social work education.
Majoring in the social sciences can lead to successful employment and high-paying positions in a variety of fields, including urban planning, psychology, sociology, psychology, politics, criminal justice, and social work education.
Contact
- Lawson State Community College
Birmingham Campus - Address: 3060 Wilson Road, SW, Birmingham, AL 35221
- Phone: 205.925.2515
Bessemer Campus - Address: 1100 Ninth Avenue SW, Bessemer, AL 35022
- Phone: 205.925.2515
- Website: http://www.lawsonstate.edu
Trade Schools in Alabama by City
Final Thoughts
Now that you have viewed and read the following top trade schools whether you are interested in beauty, welding, driving, medicine, and more are all available in the stated schools.
After reading the material on our list, we cordially encourage you to do more research and submit an application for the course that most closely matches your goals, needs, and skill set.