Back when it was touring Sarasota was known for being The Ringling Brothers Circus and its multiple tourist spots.
There are different in-demand workers here in the state and the average salary ranges from $46,040 to the annual salary but as of 2022 the highest salary received was $5248,414.
If you aim to have a stable life and want to start your career in your desired field here are the top trade schools that offer the best program supervised by lovely instructors.
Meridian College
About the School
Meridian College is guiding you on your journey to success in vocational programs.
Meridian College has gained a license from the Commission for Independent Education within the Florida Department of Education also it is already accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
This College aspires to provide enough resources that students can use as they journey to their pursued industry.
Meridian College has an in-house Hair salon and spa that offers different services and is also used by students in hands-on practice for the cosmetology program.
Courses Offered
Meridian College offers different vocational programs from different areas of study that accept part-timers.
Here are the programs that are available in Meridian College:
- Cosmetology Program
- Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound Program
- Medical Administration Program
- Medical Assistant Program
- Medical Insurance Billing & Coding Program
- Dental Assistant Program
In the Healthcare industry, Meridian College offers programs that are in line with this like the Dental Assistant Program that are completed in months and provides hands-on training in a dental office where students are supervised by professionals.
Meridian College also offers a Cosmetology program that provides real-world training that can be used to enhance the skills and get to work with actual clients.
Contact
- Meridian College
- Address: 7020 Professional Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34240
- Phone: 941-377-4880
- Website: https://www.meridian.edu
Fashion Focus Academy
About the School
Fashion Focus Academy would like its students to live with their highest potential to be passionate about the beauty industry.
In terms of tools, materials, and facilities they give their 100% knowledge, and their books are being used by other schools in Chicago.
Fashion Focus Academy provides knowledge from basics to advanced training to achieve the success students are aiming for.
Elevate your artistic self and creativity with Fashion Focus Academy.
Courses Offered
In less than a year or two you will be able to take licensure exams and start your own business in the following programs:
- Barbering- 4-5 months
- Cosmetology- 1 year to 1 ½ year
- Facial Specialist – 7 ½ weeks to 9 ½ weeks
- Nail Specialist – 7 to 9 weeks
- Refresher class
The following programs accept part-time and full-time students but expect that for part-timers a longer period is covered upon studying in the program.
For Cosmetology students get to learn hair-styling skills, basics, and advanced hair-dressing techniques, texture, and Color for every hair type that is done in the classroom.
Likewise, Fashion Focus Academy also offers a Nail Specialist program that includes manicuring, pedicuring, Artificial Nails Techniques, Gel polish, and Nail Art Techniques that is completed in 240 hours.
Contact
- Fashion Focus Academy
- Address: 2184 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, FL 34231
- Phone: 941-921-4877
- Website: https://www.fashionfocusacad.com
Manatee Technical College
About the School
Manatee Technical College has been in the industry for over 50 years and has continuously served students with top-tier educational experiences and it has a 100% graduation rate in 2021-2022.
Aside from that they have a 100% job placement rate according to statistical data and their faculty and staff are highly experienced.
To be an accessible and affordable college Manatee Technical College is open for financial aid and 86% of the enrollees are awarded this.
Commission on Occupational Education has accredited Manatee Technical College
Courses Offered
This institution offers 13 15 in-demand industries with quality training that Sarasota and Manatee counties require certification.
They offer over 50+ skill-based programs that might get your interest here are some:
- Medical Coder – 9 months
- Pharmacy Technician- 9 months
- Surgical Technology – 11 months
- Automotive Collision Technology Technician – 12 months
- Marine Service Technology – 11 months
- Building Trades & Construction design technology – 8months
- Electrical and Instrumentation Technology – 9 months
- Baking and Pastry Arts – 6 months
- Childcare Center Operations- 45 hours
- Paramedic ATD- 12 months
Manatee Technical College offers on-campus programs, online, and hybrid methods.
The pharmacy technician program is done on a hybrid method that provides understanding and transferable skills and is accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board the program costs $4,640 in total.
However, the 11-month program of Marine Service Technology costs $6,401 all in all and covers electrical systems, fuel systems, power transfer systems, cooling systems, ignition systems, lubrication systems, drive systems, and boat and trailer rigging.
Contact
- Manatee Technical College
- Address: 6305 State Road 70 East, Bradenton, FL 34203
- Phone: 941.751.7900
- Website: https://www.manateetech.edu
Suncoast Polytechnical High
About the School
Suncoast Polytechnical High is a starting school for students who would like to have big and unique learning opportunities to accelerate in both academic coursework and CTE.
There are multiple opportunities open for high school students including the different areas of study.
Unlike any other high school in the area, Suncoast Polytechnical High allows students who qualify to be accelerated starting from grade 9 students.
Students are allowed to participate in specialized career programs.
Courses Offered
There are advanced programs that are offered at Suncoast Polytechnical High for students to be ready for college academics here are some:
- E-commerce (Business Technology)
- Future Educators
- Practical Nursing
- Engineering and robotics
- Animation, Game Arts & Simulation
Program Future Educators tackled all the historical, philosophical, and social perspectives about education, and the E-commerce program is designed for topics regarding management, legal administration, bookkeeping, human resources, and more.
For allied health-related programs they offer Practical Nursing in which students are taught standard care for patients, Physician’s offices, healthcare agencies, and many more.
Contact
- Suncoast Polytechnical High
- Address: 4650 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233
- Phone: (941) 921-3981
- Website: https://www.sarasotacountyschools.net
Magnolia School of Real Estate
About the School
If you want to start a career in real estate and aim to acquire a license, Magnolia School of Real Estate can give you help on your journey.
A 63-hour pre-license course is a must be taken upon acquiring a license in the real estate industry and passing the given exam and Magnolia School of Real Estate can provide you the best quality of education you need.
Magnolia School of Real Estate was founded by Michelle, and she puts her 100% passion into providing the students with the course material they need to pass the exam.
Courses Offered
To be accessible for everyone they offer programs that are available online in fact here are some:
- Sales Associate State Exam Cram Course – $79
- Mutual Recognition Cram Course – $69
- Broker Cram Course -$89
- 63-hour sales Assoc pre-license on-demand course-$449
Magnolia School of Real Estate also offers Post License & Continuing Education that costs $189.
It is expected that at the end of every lesson, there’s a quiz to test the student’s learning, and charts, images, and examples are given for students to comprehend every topic.
Every course they offer is a guide for preparing for the required Florida state licensing exam.
Contact
- Magnolia School of Real Estate
- Address: 1951 Tamiami Trail, Ste B, Port Charlotte, FL 33952
- Phone: (941) 201-9762
- Website: https://magnoliaschoolofrealestate.com
New College of Florida
About the School
If you are looking for a top-tier college around the state, New College of Florida is perfect for you.
It was founded in 1960 in Sarasota and ranked as the top public liberal arts college and the honors college in Florida.
Now, the College of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
This college is dedicated to preparing students for their future job employment and limitless opportunities with career-building experience.
Courses Offered
More than 50 undergrad programs are being offered at New College of Florida that has a different scope of industries like humanities and sciences, major in arts, and certificates of business skills, technology, and finance.
Here are some programs that they offer that might get your interest:
- Animal Wellbeing & Conservation
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Art
- Art History
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biopsychology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Quantitative Social Science
- Religion
- And more
And here are some certification programs that are done in less than a year:
- Bloomberg Market Concepts
- Chartered Financial Analyst
- Geographic Information Systems
- Innovative Digital Media
For only 8 hours students can complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts program which consists of 3 sections; the core concepts, portfolio management, and getting started on the terminal.
Innovative Digital Media is designed to grow the student’s competence in technology and may take the work related to podcasts, code, software, sound installations, interactive platforms, and many more after obtaining the certification.
Contact
- Now College of Florida
- Address: 5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243
- Phone: (941) 487-5000
- Website: https://www.ncf.edu
Sarasota School of Massage Therapy
About the School
Sarasota School of Massage Therapy trains its students to be responsible, caring massage therapists, skillful, and have some personal growth and awareness.
They have been in the industry since 1978, and they are focused on their student’s success and unleashing the potential of every student.
SSMT is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education and the International Therapy Examination Council.
Students of SSMT are eligible for federal student aid for those students who are qualified.
Courses Offered
A 750-hour massage is what the Sarasota School of Massage Therapy offers that is dedicated to fulfilling the student’s needs on enhancing and acquiring new skills needed for job employment.
Students can be able to gain knowledge, develop massage skills, practice business etiquette, be certified in CPR and Basic First Aid, be eligible for licensure exams, and be eligible for the massage and bodywork Licensing exam.
Sarasota School of Massage offers a continuing education that has a wide range of classes and provides safety measures and a fun experience.
Locally and Nationally massage therapists are in demand and will guarantee job employment for SSMT graduates.
Contact
- Sarasota School of Massage Therapy
- Address: 5899 Whitfield Avenue, Suite 300, Sarasota, FL 34243
- Phone: (877) 613-7768
- Website: https://www.sarasotaschoolofmassagetherapy.edu
Building Trades Education Services
About the School
Building Trades Education Services has been providing exam preparation classes for over 40 years and will help you pass your Florida Contractor License Exams.
They provide workbooks and home study guides that are written clearly to be comprehensible for students and use them as a guide for state county examinations.
Their instructors have a lot of experience in the industry that will make every student a guaranteed passer as long as they are passionate.
BITES currently has a 95% passing rate.
Courses Offered
Building Trades Education Service offers both live classes and virtual classes.
Here are some state classes that are available in BITES:
- Air Conditioning & Mechanical
- Electrical & Alarm
- General Contractor
- Glass & Glazing
- Gypsum Drywall
- Marine Contractors
- Plumbing
- Pool & Spa Service
- Pool Residential & Commercial
- Roofing
- Solar
- Specialty Structure
- Underground Utilities
Some of the things you can expect upon enrolling in these courses are their focus on your chosen course and no unrelated course will be taught, will ensure that textbooks and references are taught to everyone to be beneficial, workbooks are up to date, and classes are made in small size for everyone to receive personal attention.
On the other hand, there are some county classes they offer:
- Air Conditioning A/B or Mechanical
- Business & Law
- Electrical – Low Voltage / Other
- General Contractor
- Irrigation Sprinkler
- Plumbing & Underground Utilities
- Roofing
- Swimming Pool Builder & Maintenance
Contact
- Building Trades Education Services
- Address: 2136 Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232
- Phone: 800-832-2496
- Website: https://buildingtradeeducation.com
Suncoast Technical College
About the School
Suncoast Technical College has multiple buildings in total of 6 and serves more than 5,000 adult and high school students.
Suncoast Technical College has instructors who are certified by the state of Florida, have a minimum of 6 years of experience in their specific field, and have the essential education credentials.
They are open for financial aid for those who are qualified and at the same time, they offer scholarship opportunities for everyone.
Suncoast Technica; The College has been in the industry since 1967 and is continuously providing a top-tier education that will help you enhance both your professional and personal self.
Courses Offered
Suncoast Technical College offers day and evening classes that include academic programs like English for Speakers of Other Languages.
There are a lot of programs that are being offered at Suncoast Technical College and here are some career paths available.
- Business & IT
- Criminal Justice Academy
- Health & Public Services
- Hospitality Services
- Industrial Technologies
- Online programs
In Hospitality services, it covers programs in Cosmetology, Facial Specialty, and Professional Culinary Arts & Hospitality.
Criminal Justice Academy includes the programs Correctional Officer, Crossover from Correctional Officer to Law Enforcement Officer, Florida Law Enforcement Academy, and Advanced Training.
Suncoast also offers continuing education programs.
Likewise, here are some programs that can be completed in 4 months:
- Auto Electrical
- Manufacturing
- Marine Service
- HVAC Installation & Maintenance is a tuition-free program.
- Auto Lube Technician
Contact
- Suncoast Technical College
- Address: 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233
- Phone: (941) 924-1365
- Website: https://www.sarasotacountyschools.net/suncoasttechnicalcollege
Universal Flight Training
About the School
In Universal Flight training they will assist you and teach you the standard of flying.
Universal Flight Training has experienced instructors like Mr. Joe Vazquez a chief flight instructor who has an FAA-rated part 141.
This institution will allow you to learn the basics and essentials of being the best pilot in town.
They offer the best quality and accessible education that will give a chance to those who are interested in taking this industry.
Courses Offered
Universal Flight Training offers different certifications here are some:
- Sports Pilot
- Multi-Engine rating
- Certified Flight Instructor
- Instrument Rating Training
- Commercial Pilot
- And more
However, there are some programs that Universal Flight Training offers in the Ground training here are some:
- Private Pilot Ground School – 8 weeks
- IFR Ground School – 6 week
- CFI Academy – 4-week course
- CFII Academy – 2-week course
The Private Pilot Ground School is an 8-week course that costs $250 all in all and for IFR Ground School costs $300.
However, CFI Academy starts from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday to Saturday and costs $5200.
In CFII Academy, similar to CFI, it also starts from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and it costs $3999 but it only takes 2 weeks to complete.
Contact
- Universal Flight Training
- Address: 8140 15th St E Sarasota, FL 34243
- Phone: (941)-210-4410
- Website: https://www.flyuft.com
Trade Schools in Florida by City
Final Thoughts
Now that you have gained pieces of information about these top trade schools you can be able to choose and pursue them.
Still, take time to ponder the diverse schools presented to you.
This certification can give you access to the job employment you desire and is suitable for you.