This page is dedicated to those who want to start a rewarding career but can’t afford to spend four years in high school education.
Here we have compiled information about the top trade schools in the Ocala region and the programs they offer.
Most programs are designed to get you ready for employment or licensing exams in less than one year.
The programs included in our list prepare students for rewarding careers in high-demand industries, such as nursing, welding, and barbering, to name a few.
1Marion Technical College
About the School
Marion Technical College offers training programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of high-demand industries.
Admission requirements vary by program.
For example, to qualify for admission to the Electrical Apprenticeship program applicants must:
- Possess a driver’s license
- Be employed by a local electrical contractor
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold a high school diploma or GED
- Provide a resume
- Apply for Florida Electrical Apprenticeship
Tuition costs also vary depending on the program and the student’s state of residence.
The Professional Culinary Arts and Hospitality program costs approximately $6,630 for residents and $17,150 for non-residents.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the College:
- Electrical Apprenticeship- this apprenticeship program takes approximately four years to complete
- Business Management and Analysis- a 900-hours program that can be completed in 40 weeks
- Professional Culinary Arts & Hospitality- a 1,200-hour program designed to be completed in 36 weeks
- Medical Assisting- a program that includes 1,300 hours of training and can be completed in approximately one year.
- Nursing Assistant- a program that prepares students for certification and employment in 4-5 weeks
- Barbering- a 28-week program that includes 900 hours of training
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1014 SW 7th Rd, Ocala, FL 34471
- Phone: (352) 671-7200
- Website: http://mariontc.edu
2Fusion Welding Institute
About the School
Fusion Welding Institute offers welding training programs that allow students to weld during every single day of training.
The program includes 450 hours and has a flexible schedule.
The facility is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and students can come in and leave when they want.
Fusion Welding Institute doesn’t provide certifications or diplomas, but students can receive certifications during training from contractors.
Fusion Welding Institute welders work in a variety of industries, including fossil power generation, nuclear power generation, petrochemical, liquid natural gas, chemical and fertilizer, pharmaceutical, and many other heavy industrial facilities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by welders, solderers, and brazers in the United States in 2021 was $38,580.
This tells us that half of all workers in this profession made less than this while half earned more.
As an entry-level welder, you may earn less than $30,000 but experienced welders can make more than $60,000 per year.
Employment for workers in these professions is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, with 49,200 new jobs projected to occur each year over the decade.
Contact Information
- Address: 2930 NE 24th ST, Ocala FL, 34470
- Phone: 352.304.6061
- Website: https://www.m3powergroup.com/fusion-welding-institute
3Rasmussen University
About the School
Rasmussen University offers five Nursing programs that prepare students who want to start a career in this field or advance to a better-paid position.
Programs are available on-campus or online.
Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Graduates are ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and get their license to become an RN and find employment.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at Rasmussen University:
- Practical Nursing- a 12-month long diploma program that includes online and on-campus training as well as field experience
- Professional Nursing- an 18-month Associate Degree program that combines online and on-campus training with field experience
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing- a program that combines online with on-campus training
- RN to BSN- a Bachelor’s Degree program that combines online coursework with field experience
- Master of Science in Nursing- a program that combines online coursework with field experience
- Master of Science Nurse Practitioner- a master’s degree program that includes online training, field experience, and residential immersion
- Doctor of Nursing Practice- a program that combines online coursework with field experience
Contact Information
- Address: 1227 SW 17th Ave, Ocala, Florida 34471
- Phone: 352-291-8565
- Website: https://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/florida/ocala-nursing
4STRAC Institute
About the School
STRAC Institute helps students start a successful career in electronics.
The school offers training programs at its three Florida locations: Orlando, Melbourne, and Ocala.
Students have the opportunity of earning 13 certifications.
Program length ranges from four to five months.
The four-month program has a fixed tuition of $17,000, while the five-month program costs $24,700.
There are no additional fees.
The school hires Career Advocates who help students build a strong portfolio and develop career and interview skills.
Class sizes vary depending on the location.
The student to instructor ratio is 8:1.
No previous experience is required.
STRAC offers its students the opportunity of earning 13 industry-recognized certifications, including:
- IPC Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies
- IPC/WHMA-A-620 Acceptability of Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies
- EM1- Direct Current Basics
- EM2- Alternating Current Basics
- ETA Certified Electronics Technician
- And more
Graduates are ready for employment in a variety of positions, including Electronics Technicians, Electronics Calibration Technicians, Electronics Testers, Solderers, Wire Harness Assembly Technicians, and Machine Technicians, to name a few.
Contact Information
- Address: 5802 Hoffner Ave #704, Orlando, FL 32822
- Phone: 888-754-1383
- Website: https://www.stracinstitute.com
5Fashion Cuts Hair & Beauty Academy
About the School
Fashion Cuts Hair & Beauty Academy offers training programs in the fields of Cosmetology and Barbering.
The programs fulfill all of Florida’s state compliance requirements and also include classes in consumer safety and education, and ethical behavior.
The school’s educators are certified and licensed by the Department of Business Professional & Regulation.
Tuition is $11,500 for the Barber and the Cosmetologist program.
The Restricted Barber program costs $6,999.
Books and kit are included in the above costs.
To qualify for admission, applicants must:
- Have a copy of a high school diploma or equivalent
- Students must be at least 16 years of age to sit for the State Board Examinations
- Applicants also have to pass an admissions interview
- The registration fee is $75
- Applicants need a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Barber Program- a 1,200-clock hour program that takes approximately nine months to complete
- Restricted Barber Program- a 600-clock hour program that takes full-time students approximately five months to complete
- Cosmetology program- a curriculum that includes 1,200 hours of training in total and can be completed in nine months by full-time students or in 15 months by part-time students.
Contact Information
- Address: 3452 NE Jacksonville Rd. Ocala, FL 34479
- Phone: 352-512-0333
- Website: https://fashioncutsacademy.com
6The Academy: Esthetics and Nails
About the School
The Academy: Esthetics and Nails offer training programs for students who want to start a career in the Beauty Industry.
To qualify for admission to the Esthetics or the Nail Technology program, applicants must be at least 16 years of age and they also need a high school diploma or equivalent.
The training programs cover the latest trends and technology in Esthetics and Nail Technology.
The school accommodates its schedule to each student’s needs, allowing them to have a flexible class schedule.
Students can keep a full-time job or go to school while completing their training at the Academy.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at The Academy:
- Esthetics Program- a program that prepares students for careers as licensed Estheticians in day spas, dermatology offices, make-up artistry salons, or other similar settings.
Students who complete the Esthetician program are awarded 260 clock hours.
- Nail Technology Program- a program that awards 240 clock hours and teaches manicures, pedicures, nail art, silk and fiberglass wraps, and other useful skills
Contact Information
- Address: 2611 SW 19th Avenue Rd. Suite 300, Ocala, FL 34471
- Phone: (352) 792-8099
- Website: https://theacademyestheticsandnails.org
7Beeline Medical Training
About the School
Beeline Medical Training provides training programs for students who want to begin a career as nursing assistants or medical techs.
Graduates are ready to take and pass the Florida nursing assistant exam and get their license.
The course is designed to train each student in the 22 skills required for the exam.
Tuition is $349 for the CNA Prep Class (online or in-person) and $389 for a package that includes Prep Class plus BLS Certification/BLS Separate Date.
The course fee includes class time, practice time, and instruction.
Additional costs include:
- A background check that costs approximately $80
- State Exam enrollment- which is $155.
The school assists students in the exam enrollment process.
Courses Offered
The CNA Prep Course offered by Beeline Medical Training gives students the opportunity to review essential test materials, practice the necessary skills, and complete practice exams.
To quality for admission, you will need to meet the requirement for becoming a CNA, namely:
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Pass a level 2 background screen
Contact Information
- Address: 233 NE 58th Ave #102, Ocala, FL 34470
- Phone: (352) 727-4733, Ext. 2
- Website: https://www.beelinemedicaltraining.com
8Institute for Accelerated RN Success, Inc.
About the School
Institute for Accelerated RN Success, Inc. offers an NCLEX prep course for those who want to become Registered Nurses.
The NCLEX is the licensure exam held by the National Council of State Board of Nursing to test the competency of nursing school graduates.
This NCLEX prep course is flexible and self-paced so students can complete it at their own pace.
The course is delivered via on-demand online classes.
Those interested can apply for the course by filling out a form on the school’s website.
The NCLEX prep course includes the following features:
- Thousands of practice questions with explanations
- Practice tests
- Video, audio lectures, and text lessons with notes and handouts
- Access to expert support from a nurse educator
The NCLEX Prep remediation program takes four weeks to complete and costs $750.
A 16-week self-paced course is also available and costs $1,800.
The six-month option costs $3,000.
For those who want to find out more about this class, a 12-minute sample of a recorded video lecture is available on the school’s website.
Contact Information
- Address: 725 E Silver Springs Blvd SUITE #12, Ocala, FL 34470
- Phone: 352-229-8581
- Website: https://learn.rn-success.education
9Polished Nail Academy
About the School
Polished Nail Academy offers training programs for those who want to start a career in the beauty industry.
To qualify for admission to the academy you must:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Possess a high school diploma, GED, or college degree
- Have parent or guardian approval if you are under 18
- Demonstrate good manual dexterity
- Have good communication skills and demonstrate basic English proficiency
Prospective students are personally interviewed by the school administration before being accepted into the program.
The program takes 12 weeks to complete by students who attend classes part-time (20 hours per week).
The curriculum includes 100 theory hours and 140 lab hours.
Tuition is $2,900.
Additional costs include $150 registration fees, $235 application fee, and $630 for books and kit.
In total, the program cost is $3,915.
Before applying for licensing from the Florida Board of Cosmetology and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and being able to work as Nail Specialists in the State of Florida, students must pass a final exam.
Program graduates receive a Diploma.
Contact Information
- Address: 500 Southwest 10th Street #305, Ocala, Florida 34471
- Phone: 352-236-2099
- Website: https://polishedocala.com
10Luxuriant by Eugina Lewis
About the School
Luxuriant by Eugina Lewis is a lash academy that offers online and in-person classes as well as coaching.
A three-day Classic Lash class costs $1,500 while the two-day Volume Mastery class costs $1,200.
Lash Refresher/Retention courses are also available for $500.
An online class that includes seven lessons for beginners is also available for $99.
To apply for one of the programs you have to choose a course date by visiting the school’s website and pay a deposit to secure your seat.
Courses Offered
Three-Day Classic Eyelash Training Course- a program designed for students who have no previous experience and helps them have a full understanding of lash artistry and how to become a Certified Pro Lash Artist.
The first day teaches the theory of eyelash extensions, customer service, how to map lash designs, tweezer grip, body posture, lash fills and aftercare, and many other useful skills.
The second day includes five hours of one-on-one training using the school’s mannequins.
During the third-day students get to practice everything they’ve learned on a live model.
The two-day volume mastery program is designed for lash artists who already have classic lash training.
Contact Information
- Address: 2300 SE 17th Street Bldg 100, Suite 201-A, Ocala, Fl 34471
- Phone: 352-433-6853
- Website: https://www.euginalewis.co
Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers
Career | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 300 | $53,630 | $25.79 | $65,010 | $37,300 |
Medical Records Specialists | 170 | $44,780 | $21.53 | $78,170 | $29,990 |
Nursing Assistants | 1,480 | $33,980 | $16.34 | $37,180 | $29,230 |
Dental Assistants | 340 | $43,720 | $21.02 | $56,880 | $35,570 |
Medical Assistants | 930 | $37,350 | $17.96 | $45,260 | $31,310 |
Phlebotomists | 130 | $36,310 | $17.46 | $44,330 | $29,120 |
Electricians | 550 | $47,780 | $22.97 | $58,410 | $35,490 |
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 350 | $48,630 | $23.38 | $58,940 | $36,350 |
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 840 | $46,490 | $22.35 | $73,630 | $28,790 |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 510 | $46,040 | $22.14 | $59,670 | $33,450 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list is time to decide what career path you want to pursue and choose the program that will take you there.
Before applying for a specific program, make sure you gather all relevant information about tuition costs, curriculum, schedule, accreditation, and more.