10 Best Trade Schools inAuburn, AL

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If you want to start a career in skilled trades, transportation, construction, or another growing industry but cannot afford to spend four years in post-secondary education, this page is for you.

Here we have compiled information about the training programs available at trade schools in the Auburn region of Alabama.

Most vocational programs are designed to be completed in less than two years and combine classroom instruction with hands-on training.

We invite you to read our list and start looking for the program that will prepare you for your dream career.



1National Center for Asphalt Technology

About the School

National Center for Asphalt Technology offers a variety of training opportunities for engineers and contractors.

Costs vary between $275-$600, depending on the program.

Courses Offered

The following training programs are available:

  • Aggregate Technician- a three-day classroom and laboratory course
  • Asphalt Level I Technician- a four-day classroom and laboratory course that is available for those who have completed the Radiation Safety course
  • Earthwork/Base Technician
  • Radiation Safety- a one-day classroom course that helps students who will use nuclear density gauges and nuclear asphalt content gauges understand the appropriate safety procedures
  • Radiation Safety Officer- a one-day course of classroom instruction
  • Roadway Technician- a three-day classroom course that covers asphalt pavement construction, delivery, random sampling, and more.

Graduate Certification programs are also available for students who want to specialize in areas such as:

  • Design and Production of Asphalt Paving Mixtures
  • Advanced Characterization of Pavement Materials
  • Pavement Construction
  • Geosynthetic and Soil Improvement
  • Pavement Analysis and Design Special Topics
  • Pavement Design
  • Advanced Pavement Design and Rehabilitation
  • Pavement Construction
  • Advanced Concrete Materials
  • And more

Contact Information


2Southern Union State Community College

Southern Union State Community College offers technical education and workplace development programs.

Southern Union State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges.

Courses Offered

The Technical Education and Workplace Development division offers three Associate in Applied Science degree programs:

  • Engineering and Design
  • Industrial Electricity/Electronics Technology
  • Manufacturing Technology

Programs that lead to an Associate in Occupational Technologies degree are also available in the following fields:

  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
  • Automotive Service Technology
  • Cosmetology
  • Machine Shop Technology
  • Welding Technology

All the programs listed above also include Certificate and Short Term Certificates.

In addition, Short Term Certificates are also available in:

  • Plastics Injection Molding and Robotics
  • Automation

A six-week non-credit Tractor-Trailer Truck Driving program that includes 240 contact hours is also in the catalog.

The following health science programs are available:

  • Emergency Medical Services Overview
  • Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant
  • Medical Assistant Technology
  • Surgical Technology
  • Central Services and Sterile Processing
  • And more

A variety of Associate of Applied Science and Certificate programs that prepare students for careers in business, criminal justice, information systems, and a variety of other fields are available through the College’s Academic Division.

Contact Information


3Trenholm State Community College

About the School

Trenholm State Community College offers a variety of programs that lead to an Associate Degree and focus on helping students develop employment-ready skills.

Total tuition and fees sum up to $159 per credit hour.

This includes tuition, bond fee, facility fee, technology fee, building fee, and ACCS Enhancement Fee.

Those who take classes that are between 6 and 8 hours have the half-time student status, while those who attend courses that include more than 12 hours are full-time students.

Trenholm State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

In addition, individual programs are accredited, licensed, or certified by agencies such as the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation, Cisco Certified Network Associate, American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available through the College’s Allied Health Division:

  • Dental Assisting- a program that is available at an AAS and Certificate level
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Medical Assisting Technology
  • Radiology (Medical Radiologic Technology)
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Ultrasound (Diagnostic Medical Sonography)
  • Practical Nursing
  • Registered Nursing

Contact Information


4Fortis Colleges

About the School

Fortis Colleges offer comprehensive programs in a variety of healthcare professions as well as HVAC-R and electrical programs at its five campuses in Alabama.

Each of the College’s campuses is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools or by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Tuition costs vary depending on the program.

The Dental Assisting program costs $20,059 while the Medical Assistant program costs $16,129.

The HVAC-R program costs $19,374.

These costs include tuition, enrollment fee, uniforms, student kit, certification/licensure exams, and textbooks.

Courses offered

The following programs are available at the College’s campus in Montgomery:

  • Skilled Trades- an HVAC program is available for those who want to become Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, technicians
  • Healthcare/Medical- by enrolling in this program students can prepare for a career as a medical assistant in physician’s offices, clinics, hospitals, or rehabilitation centers
  • Medical Technology- A Pharmacy Technician program that prepares students for employment in retail pharmacies, hospitals, or other medical facilities
  • Dental- a Dental Assisting program that prepares students for entry-level employment in this growing field.

Contact Information


5True Coders

About the School

True Coders offer live and online classes for those who want to become developers.

The school teaches in-demand programming languages and tools that will help students get entry-level jobs in this growing field.

Students have the opportunity of interviewing for jobs during the course.

The course can be completed in 2-6 months.

Tuition is $4,500 and there is no fee if the student wants to retake the course.

Payment plans are also available.

Those interested can schedule a call with a school representative through the school’s website.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available:

  • Full-Stack Software Engineering- a program that covers the following core languages: C#, SQL, HTML, CSS, JS, ASP.NET MVC.
  • Full Stack Web Development- Node.js, SQL, HTML, CSS, JS, and React.js

The school’s full-time programs last nine weeks, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A flex self-paced program is also available and provides students with all course materials, unlimited one-on-one time with instructors and teacher’s assistants, and full access to a career service team.

The flex program lasts between three-six months.

Contact Information


6Transitions Technical College, Inc.

About the School

Transitions Technical College, Inc. offers training programs for those who want to start a career in beauty and wellness.

The College is fully accredited by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology & Barbering and The Alabama Board of Massage Therapy.

Tuition varies between $750 and $14,980 depending on the program.

Tuition for the 1,500 clock-hour Certificate of Cosmetology program is $14,980

The Esthetics program costs $13,980 and includes 1000 clock hours of training.

Courses Offered

  • Certificate of Cosmetology- a program that can be completed in 14-16 months
  • Certificate of Esthetics- a 12-14 months program
  • Certificate of Barbering- this 1,000-hour program can be completed in 12-14 months
  • Certificate of Nail Technology- a 750 clock hour program that takes between 8-10 months to complete
  • Certificate of Natural Hairstyling- a 300-clock hour program that can be completed in 3-4 months.
  • Certificate of Barbering to Cosmetology- 500 clock hours that can be completed over 5-7 months
  • State Board Re-Test
  • Certificate of Instructor Training I- those who are licensed beauty professionals and want to pursue a career as an instructor in their field can take this 650 clock hour course
  • Certificate of Instructor Training II- 1,500 clock hours that can be completed in 12-14 months.
  • Certificate of Manicurist/Waxing- a six-week 160-clock hour program
  • Certificate of Therapeutic Massage- a 700 clock-hour program that lasts for 8-10 months.

Contact Information


7Better Bodies Massage

About the School

Better Bodies Massage is a licensed massage school and student clinic located in the historic town of Opelika, Alabama.

Their 750-hour massage training program is licensed by the State of Alabama and allows students to earn a certification in 30-36 weeks.

Students can attend flexible day or evening classes for hands-on techniques.

Tuition is $9,775 if paid in full.

This includes:

  • Students’ membership and liability insurance
  • MBLEx Exam Coach
  • T-shirt, lotion bottle and holster, use of school equipment
  • A nonrefundable enrollment fee/deposit of $2,500

The program is flexible and allows students to keep a job while preparing for a new career in massage therapy.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by massage therapists in Alabama was $36,020.

Wages range from less than $20,000 to more than $50,000, depending on experience, region, education, skills, and a variety of other factors.

This profession will see a growth of 32 percent from 2020 to 2030 which will result in approximately 23,300 new jobs annually over the decade, according to BLS.

Contact Information


8Cleburne County Career Technical School

About the School

Cleburne County Career Technical School offers educational programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of high-demand industries.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at Cleburne County Career Technical School:

  • Automotive Technology- a program that includes maintenance and light repair
  • Business Marketing- a curriculum that covers classes in law, society, business applications, multimedia presentation and design, and a variety of other skills.
  • Building Construction- a program that gives students the opportunity of earning NCCER and OSHA certification
  • Collision Repair- a program that teaches structural damage repair, painting, and refinishing
  • Cosmetology- a curriculum that covers introductory classes in cosmetology, chemical services, salon management, and spa services.
  • Electrical Technology- a program that includes electrical technology as well as utility lineman classes
  • Health Science- a program that offers classes in foundations, emergency management, and an internship; students enrolled in this program can earn a CNA license
  • Welding- a program that teaches students how to weld metal and how to use CNBC machine while also giving them the opportunity of earning NCCER certification

Contact Information


9Reid State Technical College

About the School

Reid State Technical College is a two-year institution that offers academic and technical education.

Courses Offered

The following courses are available:

  • Business Administration Technology- a program that is four-five semesters long and leads to an Associate in Applied Technology
  • Childcare Education and Development- a five-six semester program that helps students become competent in communications and mathematics as well as achieve technical skills such as planning programs
  • Commercial Truck Driving- a program that prepares students for their license exam and employment
  • Cosmetology- a three-semester program that prepares students for a career in the hair and beauty industry
  • Industrial Maintenance- a two-semester program that prepares students for employment as entry-level industrial electricians, electronics technicians, or computer industry technicians.
  • Nursing Assistant Program- a program that uses a curriculum approved by the Alabama Department of Public Health
  • Pharmacy Tech- a two-semester program that leads to Certification as a Pharmacy Technician for students who pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.
  • Practical Nursing
  • Welding Technology- a six-semester Associate of Occupation Technologies, a four-semester Certificate program, and a two-semester Short-term Certificate program are available.
  • And more

Contact Information

  • Address: PO Box 588, 100 Hwy 83, Evergreen, AL 36401
  • Phone: 251-578-1313
  • Website: https://www.rstc.edu

10Montgomery Dental Assistant School

About the School

Montgomery Dental Assistant School offers a dental assisting training program that can be completed in only 12 weeks.

Tuition is $3,990 if paid in full before the beginning of the first class.

Payment plans are also available.

Students have to participate in a 40-hour externship program that provides them with real-world experience working under the direction of experienced dental professionals in a dental office.

The externship can be started by students who have completed class 3.

Trainees are encouraged to find their own externship program but the school has Student Success Specialists who can help them in the application process.

Montgomery Dental Assistant School is licensed and regulated by the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

Graduates receive a Dental Assistant School Certificate and BLS Certificate through the American Heart Association.

Courses Offered

The Montgomery Dental Assistant School curriculum covers topics on:

  • Sterilization and Infection Control
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Dental Anatomy and Physiology
  • Charting
  • Dental Instruments
  • Preventive Care (including sealants)
  • CPR, Pain Management, and more

Contact Information


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants50$43,740$21.03$59,330$31,810
Medical Records Specialists50$48,090$23.12$78,160$23,770
Nursing Assistants430$30,210$14.52$37,820$27,360
Dental Assistants130$38,330$18.43$48,890$28,490
Medical Assistants320$33,620$16.16$39,970$25,440
Electricians290$50,150$24.11$70,400$29,860
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters140$47,520$22.84$66,190$30,930
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics270$47,180$22.68$74,800$28,160
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers180$48,820$23.47$66,460$29,700
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Auburn-Opelika, AL metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Many vocational programs can prepare you for a new career or advancement at your current job through hands-on programs that can be completed in only a few months.

Now that you have read our list of top vocational schools in Auburn, it’s your turn to continue the research and decide what program best meets your needs and aspirations.


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