Among the many thriving trades which one can venture into is the mechanical trade. Mechanical trades are trades which require mechanical classes to design, use and comprehend tools of machinery. One amazing thing about mechanical trade is that you get to have an edge over other people engaged in other trades, as mechanical trade is one of the most demanding skill trades in the world.
I’m sure you’re already curious as to what more the mechanical trade entails, which is why in this article we shall be exploring top mechanical trade schools that you can get enrolled in to become in demand too.
What Is A Mechanical Trade School?
We have been hearing of Mechanical trade schools; what are they? Mechanical trade schools are institutions of higher learning that provide students with an environment that can train, sharpen and help them develop a solid foundation in mechanics in order to help them launch careers as mechanics and sometimes as mechanical engineers.
How Much Does A Mechanical Trade School Cost?
The cost for mechanical trade schools vary from school to school and also majorly depends on the program being studied. Mechanical trade programs normally take like six months to two years to complete, depending on the level of certification you intend to get. The cost for mechanical trade schools range from $1,000 to $20,000 dollars. When you are examining your options, it is very important to see what is included in the tuition costs.
Top Mechanical Trade Schools
1. Lincoln Tech
Lincoln Tech has it’s roots in Columbia, MD. It is one of the mechanical trade schools you would definitely want to try out. Why is this so? It offers certifications in multiple facets of mechanical trades. Some of these trades include HVAC technology, which has to do with heating, ventilation and air conditioning management.
Students that get enrolled in Lincoln Tech get equipped with skills they would need to become a service line technician by undergoing different rigorous training. It has a structured curriculum and programs, which would help bring out the best in their students. Lincoln Tech also undergoes real-world, hands-on practice, etc., which helps them to develop skills and mastery in mechanics.
2. All-State Career
What does the All-state career sound like to you? It is definitely as promising as it looks. The All-State Career is located in Baltimore, Essignton and Pittsburgh, with it’s main campus at 50 West Powhattan Avenue, Essignton, Pennsylvania. They offer the required training needed to work in industries related to HVAC and refrigeration. At All-State Career, students receive a certificate or diploma upon the completion of the programs which they have decided to study. All-State Career tuition fees cost about $14781 after grants and scholarships.
All-State Career is so good that with either the certificate or a diploma, their students would be a valuable asset to industries that might need their assistance as entry-level service line technicians.
2. Montgomery College
Montgomery College is one of the outstanding mechanical trade schools you would ever come across. It is located in Rockville, MD, US. It would cost about $5322 for in-district students, $10254 for in-state students and $14034 for out-of-state students. It also offers a wide variety of programs, which a young, enthusiastic student might want to explore.
In other words, one who gets enrolled here can get a certificate for more than just being a mechanical technician but also a sub-mechanical engineer. That is, all you had in mind while coming to Montgomery College was to leave as a certified mechanical technician but then they have planned more than just that for you! These sub-mechanical engineering programs are civil engineering and mechanical engineering. They also offer HVAC certificate courses for students with interest in these areas. Their course work is top-notch in that it develops their students through a hands-on approach, practical knowledge and a well-defined academic curriculum to ensure their students are equipped to work in industries.
3. Rosedale Technical College
Rosedale Technical College is located at 215 Beckham Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15205, USA. It costs about $15,663 as of 2021. Rosedale Technical College offers an Associate’s degree in specialized technology for students looking for knowledge and training in the residential and commercial application of technical skills.
Something particular about Rosedale Technical College is that added to the academic curriculum is extensive knowledge in thermodynamics and design, control system analysis, electricity, and troubleshooting, which are very crucial aspects of mechanics, especially troubleshooting.
Despite the fact that you might select your area of interest, they include other essential aspects of mechanics in your curriculum so that you can come out and have no match in the mechanical trade industry.
4. Fortis
Don’t be misled by its brief name. It is one of the outstanding mechanical trade schools you can get enrolled in. Fortis is located in Fort Forty, Pennsylvania. It costs about $10,000- $38,000 dollars. Fortis offers students with intensive programs in both HVAC training and facility maintenance.
You might be wondering what facility maintenance is all about. It entails a wide variety of topics, which include plumbing and HVACR. On the other hand, the HVAC-focused program focuses majorly on HVAC systems, their installation measures, and their maintenance and repair. Fortis prepares students to be thoroughly equipped to be of utmost unmeasurable relevance to companies and industries mechanically inclined.
5. YTI Career Institute
The YTI Career Institute has different campuses situated at Altoona, PA, Lancaster, PA, and at York. It costs about $11,593 dollars. It is one of the mechanical trade schools with a very promising result.
6. Frederick Community College
The Frederick community college is located at 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick MD 21701, USA. Tuition fees at Frederick community college fall between the range of $3772-$9844 dollars.
This college offers a workforce development program in HVAC. Not only that, Frederick Community College also gives added value to their students in that their students receive basic overviews on thermodynamics and refrigeration, which they might find very helpful in their practice as mechanical technicians and as mechanical engineers. Upon completion, their students receive an EPA-608 certification, which is a required certificate to work with refrigerants.
Different Mechanical Trades Prospects
Mechanical trades comprise many branches, as mechanics entails a lot of things. Among the mechanical trades include HVAC technician or pipefitting.
We shall look at others below; however, it’s important to understand that all the branches of mechanical trade are not restricted to the few mentioned here.
1. Mechanical Insulator
This aspect of mechanical trade might not be too common. The mechanical insulators are people who are specialized with using insulation for equipment, ductwork or pipes. They consider the diameter, thickness and temperature when insulating a steam pipe. Mechanical insulators should have at least a high school diploma.
2. Elevator Mechanics
Elevator mechanics are specialized with the repair, installation and maintenance of escalators, elevators, travelators, paternosters and other mechanical walkways. They must possess good troubleshooting skills and should be able to work for hours.
3. Locksmith
Something similar to a goldsmith but totally different, a locksmith is a mechanical technician who deals with adjusting, repairing and installing locks of all types. They also deal with duplicating keys when there is need.
4. Machinist
Have you ever heard of a machinist? A machinist is one who has the responsibility to use and maintain milling machines. They equip blueprints, computer-aided design (CAD), and manufacture different types of designs to create metal components for work.
5. HVAC Installer
An HVAC installer is a technician who deals with installing, maintaining, servicing and repairing ventilation, refrigeration systems, and air conditioners. It is their duty to maintain the air quality and temperature in buildings. They work for both industrial and residential organizations.
6. Auto Mechanics
These are technicians who know about all the problems that can be associated with cars, trucks, etc. and maintain them in order to make sure they are safe.
7. Mechanical Trade Significance
The majority of the mechanical trades you can venture into imply manual labor. There are also some aspects that have some reliance on ICT. Mechanical trades demand a certification that should span two qualification levels, which include the ASE mechanic certification and the master level. The master level demands that such a student perform as a journeyman for a year, after which he would go into a competency test in order to become a master.
Conclusion
The US Bureau of Labor statistics have predicted that the welder career will get the hype of 5% from 2020-2029. Outside their prediction, recent trends in employment shows that people engaged in mechanical trade don’t lose out.
In this article, we have looked at a number of mechanical trade schools that you can get enrolled in. In deciding on which of the mechanical trade schools to apply into, it’s important you check out for your interest in terms of the programs they offer and what their tuition costs cover in order to make a very good choice. Make a choice from any of the mechanical trade schools mentioned here and join this hot wagon today.
