According to information given by the US Department of Labor, there was a significant over 50% increase in those attempting to get trade degrees between 2013 and 2019.
It has also been reported that trade school graduates are on the right side of the labor market, with over 70% of graduates from trade schools in Iowa being employed in a trade job of their field of study.
This has been of massive benefit to students who intend to move directly and rapidly into the labor market. The various skills required by multiple prospective professionals are usually taught to the learners by the vocational schools.
However, they emphasize the practical parts of their studies at the expense of the theoretical. Trade degrees in Iowa are usually more specific, unlike university or college courses that are quite general.
Trade schools in Iowa offer courses in;
- Welding,
- Plumbing,
- Medical assisting.
These trade schools allow their students to carry out their apprenticeship and internship with supervised paid fieldwork.
Students who pursue a trade school degree often spend more time, usually about two years, to complete their program. However, those who only wish to obtain their certificates tend to spend lesser time.
Accreditation and Licensing for Trade Schools in IOWA:
As a trade school prospective student, the most important thing is to get certified by an accredited and licensed trade school.
Therefore, it should be of utmost importance that the student knows the accreditation and licensing status of the school.
One of the major selling points for accredited schools is the ability to transfer earned credits. However, this serves as icing on the cake that specific licenses and certifications demand accredited degrees.
Therefore this implies that vocations that are license-dependent recommend that prospective professionals attend an accredited institution.
These institutions can obtain either be:
- Regional accreditation
- National accreditation
- Programmatic accreditation.
The accreditation process for colleges and universities is usually quite tedious and rigorous.
However, this is a good thing because the rigorous nature often implies that only schools with high standards are accredited.
Furthermore, the independent accrediting agency also makes sure that the standards are not dropped, by periodically carrying out these reviews for schools to be able to maintain the accredited status.
Trade Schools In Iowa
Who oversees the Accreditation?
The US Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation oversees accrediting agencies and the independent accrediting agency.
The Higher Learning Commission is in control of giving regional accreditation to vocational schools in Iowa. At the same time, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges is one of the major national accrediting agencies, usually for trade schools.
Online trade schools can obtain national accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission and other related organizations.
However, students with individual degrees can also earn programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care if the student’s degree borders on respiratory care programs.
Furthermore, in Iowa, it is expected that in conjunction with your accreditation, you should have a state license. This license serves as a criterion for the trade school to keep giving out degrees.
How Much Do Trade School Graduates Earn In Iowa?
Salary and income usually vary depending on various circumstances and various times. It was recorded that in 2017 an average Trade School graduate earned over $55,000 in a year.
Further reports have also shown that welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers have an annual salary of about $42,000. Electricians earn about $56,000 with radiologic technicians earning between $44,000-$52,000 per year.
It is also important to note that the amount of experience gained and the geographic location usually affect how much the trade school graduate earns.
What Kinds of Trade School Programs are Available in Iowa?
The trade schools in Iowa offer a degree in various courses, including health and emergency services, auto repair, and cosmetology.
Individuals must choose a school that matches their specific job ambitions because different trade schools focus on certain disciplines.
Health and emergency services, car repair, dental hygienist, mechanic, paralegal, radiology technician, and cosmetology are just a few disciplines where trade schools offer programs.
Read this: Top Culinary Schools In Florida (Major tips and details)
Top 5 Trade Schools In Iowa
Below are some of the best trade schools in Iowa
Iowa Lakes Community College
This college offers various courses that cut across virtually every sphere of life. If not practically impossible, this makes it difficult for you not to find your subject of interest.
The unique flexibility of their teaching curriculum makes them a beauty to behold. Choosing to either partake in part-time or full-time programs is the source of their pride.
This school creates other avenues to help students through online classes, evening classes, or weekend classes. Like many good schools, they intend to provide the right learning environment and reach the right things.
Iowa lakes being one of the best colleges/trade schools in the country is admired by all and sundry and is located at 300 S 18th St, Estherville, IA 51334.
The school has a tuition fee of about $5000. The basic requirements for the application are a High school diploma and an application form. The school offers the following courses:
- Accounting Specialist
- Administrative Assistant
- Administrative Support Specialist
- Agribusiness Technology
- Agriculture Production Technology
- Auto Collision & Paint Repair Technology
- Automotive Technology
- Aviation/Airport Management
- Boat and Watercraft Technician
- Business Administration & Management
- Business Specialist
- Computer Programming
- Construction Technology
- Criminal Justice
- Digital, Social & Broadcast Productions
- Electrical Technology
- Engineering Technology
- Environmental Studies
- Farm Equipment & Diesel Technology
- Game Design & Development
- Graphic Design
- Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology
- Hotel & Restaurant Management
- Human Services/Disability Studies
- Marine Service Technology
- Massage Therapy
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Office Technology
- Nursing AS.
- Paralegal/Legal Studies
- Parts Sales & Inventory Control
- Photography
- Powersports & Power Equipment Technology
- Sales & Marketing Management
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Surgical Technology
- Veterinary Technician
- Water Quality Technician
- Web Development & Design
- Welding Diploma
- Wind Energy & Turbine Technology
Midwest Technical Institute
This institute is an educational institution that offers various programs basically in health care and mechanical trades. Courses offered in this institute are very lucrative or have been projected to be lucrative in the future. With its existence being since 1995, a lot of professionals have obtained degrees from this school.
Midwest Technical Institute is a college with a very flexible schedule, which allows it to accommodate students from many areas of life. However, it is one of the accredited trade schools in Iowa.
There are no special requirements to enter the institution. Almost all new applicants are accepted. Tuition fees, however, vary according to your course ranging from just $1,250 to $18,400.
Their course-time goes from about 7 weeks to 40 weeks depending on your course. Some of the courses offered there include:
- Dental assisting
- Phlebotomy course
- Medical assisting
- Basic nursing assistant
- Pharmacy technician
- Medical coding specialist
- Massage therapy
- Journeyman welder
- Journeyman welder II
- HVAC/R-MAR technician
- CDL Training Course
- Professional truck driving
- Cosmetology
- Continuing education
- Midwest Technical Institute is located in Davenport, IA.
Read this: Culinary Schools in Ohio (Major tips and details)
Siouxland Pipe Welding School
Being one of the most lucrative vocational jobs one can undertake, Welding is now being undertaken by many students. The Siouxland Pipe Welding School is one of the best places to acquire such skills. The school boasts of some of the best teachers in the art.
The course is usually fast and takes about four months to complete. There are, however, two special requirements to complete this course;
- Obtaining the application form
- Ensuring you are in sound health to enable you to operate the machine.
Some of the courses offered in this school include:
- SMAW Pipe Welding Certificate Program
- GTAW Pipe Welding Certificate Program
- GTAW/SMAW Combo-pipe Welding Certificate Program
Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School
Siouxland Pipe Welding School is located at 3300 Northbrook Dr. Suite A Sioux City, IA 51105.
This school is seen as one of the best trade schools in Iowa because of its devotedness to not only help educate their students on massage therapy and athletics, but they also teach students to improve themselves first before enhancing others.
This program not only helps students to help others, but in the process, they help themselves. Given the aforementioned, entry into this school will require certain things. They include;
- The student must be at least 16 years of age.
- The student has to be both physically and mentally capable of practicing bodywork
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must provide a government-issued photo ID
- Then, submit an application form.
- Pay a non-refundable fee of about $14,000 to $15000
The school offers the following courses:
- Massage Certification
- Core Curriculum
- Career Tracks
- Career Electives
- CEU’s & Advanced Education
- Certificate of Excellence Programs
- Reflexology Certification
Iowa School of Beauty
The beauty department is a very lucrative department, with recent showing that a lot of money is being spent on the art lately.
The Iowa School of Beauty is a family business with an age-old family tradition. The school strives on its desire to provide quality education for prospective beauty artists. However, there are certain criteria to be met before admission which include;
- The applicant must have a high school diploma or GED.
- Payment of a non-refundable $100 application fee
- Must be in good health
- Provide a state-issued ID or driver’s license
- Bring a copy of their social security card.
- The tuition prices for each of the courses which varies from about $4,452 to $19,998.
The school offers courses in:
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics
- Nail technology
- Massage therapy.
Iowa School of Beauty is located at 3305 70th Street.
Other Trade schools in Iowa:
- Western Iowa Tech Community College
- Des Moines Area Community College
- Iowa Western Community College
- Eastern Iowa Community College
- Northeast Iowa Community College
- Iowa Central Community College
- Hawkeye Community College
Read this: Difference between College and University (Well Explained)
Conclusion:
Vocational trade schools or simply trade schools are increasingly becoming the best choice to embrace. Not only for its natural independence but its wide range of acceptability and less time spent for completion.
The trade schools at Iowa are where you can feel relaxed that you will get one of the best knowledge that you can as long as you attend an accredited school.
Awesome one; I hope this article answered your question.
Share this Information.
Related articles:
- How to Create a Balanced Plate: The Key to Healthy Eating
- How to Start a Virtual Book Club with Friends
- The Top Credit Score Hacks Every Young Adult Should Know
- The Pros and Cons of Rental Property as a Passive Income Stream
- Enhancing Your Clinical Psychologist Job Prospects with Professional Help
Reference:
