10 Best Trade Schools inPensacola, FL

1George Stone Technical College

About the School

George Stone Technical College was founded in 1968 as a vocational training center.

It has since expanded to include 28 different programs of study, cooperative education, dual enrollment, and adult education.

George Stone Technical College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.

The enrollment process for adult students consists of five steps:

• Step 1: Complete an online application by visiting the school’s website.
• Step 2: Apply for financial aid- this step can be skipped by self-payers
• Step 3: Complete the Test of Adult Basic Education- this step can be skipped by those who have an Associate’s Degree or higher, by those who are currently serving as an active member of the United States Armed Services, and those who have entered the 9th grade during the 2003-2004 year or beyond and have earned a high school diploma
• Step 4: Meet with a school counselor to schedule classes
• Step 5: Pay the fees

High school students who want to enroll in a dual enrolment program have to complete a different admissions process, and in this case, the Dual Enrollment agreement must be signed by the student and their parent or legal guardian.

Courses Offered

The following programs are eligible for dual enrollment:

• Accounting Operations
• Computer Systems & Information Technology
• Medical Administrative Specialist
• Cybersecurity
• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration
• Baking & Pastry Arts
• Marine Service Technologies
• Welding Technology
• And more

Contact Information

• Address: 2400 Longleaf Dr, Pensacola, FL 32526
• Phone: (850) 941-6200
• Website: https://www.georgestonecenter.com

2Fortis Institute

About the School

Fortis Institute offers career-ready programs that prepare students for employment in nursing, dental, healthcare, massage, cosmetology, and HVAC-R fields.

The programs combine traditional classroom instruction, with small-group learning, laboratory training, and clinical experiences.

Students also get to apply their skills under the supervision of experienced instructors.

Total costs range from less than $17,000 to more than $50,000.

The Medical Assisting program costs $16,825, while the Associate Degree in Nursing is $51,285.

Financial Aid is available for students who qualify.

Although admission requirements vary depending on the program, a high school diploma or its equivalent is needed in most cases.

A personal interview with the admission staff is also part of the admissions process.

Fortis Institute is institutionally accredited to offer degree and non-degree programs by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available:

• Nursing Programs:
  • Associate of Science in Nursing
  • Practical Nursing
• Skilled Trades: HVAC-Refrigeration
• Healthcare/Medical Programs: Medical Assisting
• Dental Programs: Dental Assisting
• Beauty and Wellness Programs:
  • Massage Therapy
  • Cosmetology

Contact Information

• Address: 4081 East Olive Road, Suite B, Pensacola, FL 32514
• Phone: (850) 476-7607
• Website: https://www.fortis.edu/campuses/florida/pensacola.html

3Pensacola School of Massage Therapy and Health Careers

About the School

Pensacola School of Massage Therapy and Health Careers is providing career training to students in Pensacola and the nearby areas.

The school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and Approved by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy.

Their Massage Therapy program costs 12,630 in total, including registration fee, tuition, books, and supplies.

The Medical Assistant program costs $14,450 in total.

The Massage Therapy program is available on a daytime schedule, with classes taking place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday and on a night schedule from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Classes for Medical Assistant students take place Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available:

• Massage Therapy- a curriculum that includes 640-course hours covered by lectures, lab hours, and clinical training on topics such as:
  • Swedish Massage
  • Clinical Sports Massage
  • Connective Tissue Massage
  • Neuromuscular Massage
  • Reflexology
  • Asian Bodywork Therapy: Shiatsu
  • Pathology
  • Florida Law
  • Business Management
  • And more
• Medical Assistant- a curriculum that includes 816 hours in total and covers courses such as:
  • Communications
  • Computer Literacy
  • Medical Term
  • Pharmacology
  • Medical Lab Procedures
  • Medical Assistant Externship- 240 hours
  • And more

Contact Information

• Address: 2409 Creighton Road, Pensacola, Florida 32504
• Phone: 850-780-3963
• Website: https://psmthc.com

4Gulf Coast Institute of Career Development

About the School

Gulf Coast Institute of Career Development is a skin and nail care school that has been offering training programs for those who want to start a career in the beauty industry for over 30 years.

The training combines lectures, textbook assignments, written tests, and hands-on experience.

Courses Offered

Facial Specialty- a 16-week course that prepares students for the licensure exam and careers in the esthetics field.

This program covers basic facials, facial machines, individual lash extensions, makeup application, brow tinting, and more.

The Facial Specialty class starts with two weeks of theory followed by a 100-question test.

After passing the test, students will continue with the practical portion of their training, which includes work with mannequins and real clients.

The cost for the Facial Specialty class is $2,920 and includes tuition, registration fee, uniform fee, kit fee, and an AIDS awareness course.

Nail Specialty- a program available in morning schedules, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and during evenings, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Nail Specialty program costs $1,625 in total (registration fee, tuition, uniform fee, kit fee, and an AIDS awareness course)

Contact Information

• Address: 2415 W Cervantes St, Pensacola, FL 32505
• Phone: (850) 435-7675
• Website: https://www.gcinstitutecareers.com

5Pensacola State College

About the School

Pensacola State College offers online, face-to-face, and hybrid classes.

The school also provides general education courses that are transferable at universities.

Admission and graduation requirements vary depending on the type of program.

To receive a certificate, students need:

• A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in all courses
• Achieve an appropriate minimum skill level on the Test of Adult Basic Education for Applied Technology Diploma and vocational certificates that include more than 450 hours
• Students must complete at least 25 percent of the classes to meet the academic residence requirement

The in-state tuition is $104.58 per credit hour, which includes tuition financial aid fees, student activity/service fees, capital improvement fees, and technology fees.

Courses Offered

The school’s catalog includes a variety of certificates, diplomas, and associate degree programs covering a wide range of industries, including:

• Accounting Technology Management
• Barbering
• Carpentry
• Central Supply Technician
• CNC Composite Fabricator/Programmer
• Commercial Vehicle Driver
• Cosmetology
• Culinary Arts
• Electrocardiograph Technician
• Manufacturing Automation Specialist
• Welding Technology
• And many more

Contact Information

• Address: 1000 College Blvd. Pensacola, FL 32504
• Phone: (850) 484-1000
• Website: https://www.pensacolastate.edu

6University of West Florida

About the School

The University of West Florida offers degree and certificate programs that prepare students for careers in a wide range of industries.

The university’s catalog includes more than 110 majors, minors, certificates, and graduate programs available at the school’s five colleges:

• The College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
• College of Business
• College of Education and Professional Studies
• Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
• Usha Kundu, MD Colege of Health

The University of West Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

Costs vary depending on the program and the number of credits.

The in-state tuition for the Database Systems Certificate program is $218.98 per credit hour.

This program includes 12 credit hours, which brings the total to approximately $2,630.

Courses Offered

These are some of the certificate programs included in the University of West Florida’s catalog:

• Cybersecurity Certificate- available in Pensacola
• Database Systems Certificate- a 16-week online program
• Geographic Information Science Certificate- available online
• Human Resources Certificate- a program available in Pensacola
• Technologist in Clinical Chemistry- an online program
• Technologist in Hematology- an online program
• And more

Contact Information

• Address: 11000 University Pkwy, Pensacola, FL 32514
• Phone: 850.474.2000
• Website: https://uwf.edu

7Cindy Cassady

About the School

Cindy Cassady offers training for future laser/electrolysis and facial specialists.

The school offers small class sizes and hands-on instruction to ensure students have success in their future careers.

Applicants to the Laser/Electrolysis program need:

• Proof of high school diploma or GED
• They must be at least 18 years of age.

To qualify for admission to the Facial Specialist program, applicants must:

• Be at least 16 years of age

Both programs request that the applicants have the ability to read and perform simple mathematical calculations.

Students learn in a hands-on environment and receive individual instruction.

The school is approved by the Florida State Approving Agency to certify for Veterans Education benefits.

Cindy Cassady is licensed by the Commission of Independent Education, Department of Education.

Courses Offered

The following programs are included in the school’s catalog:

Electrology, Laser Program- this 320-hour course is approved by the State of Florida and leads to a diploma

The program includes 200 clinical hours that must be completed at the school

Facial Program- a program that prepares students for rewarding careers in esthetics

Contact Information

• Address: 2995 Langley Avenue, Pensacola FL 32504
• Phone: 850-478-3362
• Website: https://www.electrolysisschools.com

8Pensacola Christian College

About the School

Pensacola Christian College is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS).

TRACS is recognized by the United States Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education.

The school’s catalog includes 59 programs of study.

Financial Aid options are available for students who qualify.

The first step in the admission process is to apply through the college’s website.

At this step, you will also need to provide personal information, information about your educational background, and a $50 non-refundable fee.

The following documents will be required for admittance:

• An official high school transcript or GED
• Official ACT/CLT/SAT Scores
• An admissions essay

The third step consists of checking to see if you are eligible for financial aid.

Several other documents will be required before being ready to attend class, such as a completed medical form, immunization records, a statement of financial responsibility, and an English placement exam.

Candidates who are under 18 also need a power of attorney, a rock climbing/flow rider waiver, and a student disclosure statement.

Courses Offered

Along with a Bachelor’s Degree in a variety of areas of interest, the College also offers Associate of Science degrees in the following fields:

• Medical Office Systems
• Criminal Justice
• Office Systems
• And more

Contact Information

• Address: 250 Brent Lane, Pensacola, FL, U.S.A.
• Phone: 850-478-8496
• Website: https://www.pcci.edu

9Pensacola Air Flight School

About the School

Pensacola Air Flight School provides flight training for different ratings.

An FAA-Approved Redbird Simulator costs $50 per hour to rent.

Aircraft rental fees range from $140 to $175, depending on the type of aircraft.

The rate for a Piper Cherokee 140 is $140 wet rate while a Piper Arrow 180 costs $175 per hour (wet rate).

Instructor rates range from $50 per hour for private, commercial, and multi to 60$ per hour if the instruction takes place in the owner’s aircraft.

A Private Pilot Check Ride Prep course is also available for students who want to earn their Private Pilot license.

Ground school prices start at $349.99

Courses Offered

The following training programs are available at the school:

• Initial Pilot Training
  • Recreational Pilot- this rating can be earned within 10 hours less than the time required for a Private Pilot rating
  • Private Pilot- the FAA minimum flight hour requirement for private pilots under part 141 regulations is 35 hours
• Advanced Pilot Training
  • Instrument Rating
  • Commercial Rating
• Certified Flight Instructor
  • Flight Instructor Certificate
  • Flight Instructor Instrument

The school also offers discovery flights and ground school.

Contact Information

• Address: 4343 Jerry L Maygarden Road, Pensacola, Florida 32504
• Phone: 850-316-8825
• Website: https://kpnsair.com

10Classic Real Estate School

About the School

Classic Real Estate School offers online and classroom courses for those who want to start a career in real estate.

The classes are available nationwide.

Available are classroom, custom one-on-one interactive classes, and online classes, thus allowing students to choose the format that best meets their schedule and learning style.

Students are free to create their schedule and can finish the course in as few as one or two weeks or it can take up to six months.

Classic Real Estate School instructors are licensed to teach the curriculum and have, on average, 10 years of experience in the field of real estate.

The Florida Requirement for real-estate pre-licensing courses is 63 hours.

Classes are available for students who want to get their sales license, and for those who seek a broker’s license or want to complete continuing education courses.

Courses Offered

The following courses are available in classroom style and online-only:

• Real Estate: Sales Associate Pre-Licensing, Sales Associate Post-Licensing, Broker Pre-Licensing, Broker Post Licensing, Florida State Law, Continuing Education classes, and a variety of other courses are available
• Mortgage Loan Officer
• Home Inspector

Contact Information

• Address: 400 West Robinson Street, N801, Orlando, FL 32801
• Phone: 850.487.1395
• Website: https://www.classicrealestateschool.com