Trade schools offer a viable solution for students who want to start a rewarding career but can’t afford to spend four years in college.
Students who enroll in a vocational program can earn a diploma or certificate in less than one year.
Programs that lead to an associate’s degree are also available and are usually two years long.
If you live in West Palm Beach and you want to start a career in trades, allied health, or the beauty industry, this page is for you.
1HCI College
About the School
HCI College offers training programs online and on-campus for those who want to start a career in healthcare.
Admission requirements vary depending on the program.
Applicants to the Emergency Medical Technician Diploma program must:
- Pass a criminal background check
- Pass a drug screen
- Provide a photo ID
- Be at least 18 years of age before starting classes
- Have current PPD, proof of Titers, and proof of BLS
- Provide a high school diploma or GED
- Pass the Wonderlic Scholastic Exam with a minimum score of 17.
HCI College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
HCI College is offering the following programs:
- Associate Degree in Nursing- a 72-credit hour program that can be completed in only two years
- Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services- this program is 100 percent online and can be completed in as few as six months
- Emergency Medical Technician- a four-month program
- Paramedic training
- Veterinary Assisting- a 35-credit hour program that takes only 10 months to complete
Contact Information
- Address: 1764 North Congress Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33409
- Phone: (561) 586-0121
- Website: https://www.hci.edu
2Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations
About the School
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations is a private, not-for-profit college of nursing that offers a variety of health-related training programs.
The programs combine theory with clinical training and prepare students for licensing exams and employment.
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations is Accredited by the Council for Occupational Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and licensed by the Florida Department of Education.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Associate of Science Degree in Nursing- a 96-week program that prepares students for the licensing exams and covers topics such as:
- Biology
- Introductory Psychology
- Communication
- Human Growth and Development
- Dosage Calculations
- Pharmacology and Medication Administration
- Contemporary Nursing
- Nursing Concepts
- And more
- LPN to ADN Bridge
- Practical Nursing- a program that includes 1,518 clock hours and covers patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics
- Patient Care Technician- a 603 clock hour program that combines theory with lab and clinical work
- Rehab/Restorative Assistant- a program that prepares students who meet the state requirements
Contact Information
- Address: 5154 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33417
- Phone: (561)683-1400
- Website: https://www.anho.edu
3Southeastern College
About the School
Southeastern College offers undergraduate coursework as well as diploma and certificate programs.
Admission requirements vary depending on the program.
Most programs require applicants to:
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass an entrance exam
- Pass a background check and drug screening
Some programs also require an admission essay and an interview.
Courses Offered
The following diploma and certificate programs are available:
- Business Administration – Diploma
- Early Childhood Education – Diploma
- Medical Assisting – Diploma
- Electronic Medical Billing and Coding Specialist – Diploma
- Medical Office Basic X-Ray Technician – Diploma
- Phlebotomy – Diploma
- Practical Nurse – Diploma
- Professional Clinical Massage Therapy – Diploma
- Business Administration – Associate
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Associate
- Early Childhood Education – Associate
- Medical Assisting – Associate
- Medical Office Basic X-Ray Technician – Associate
- Nursing – Associate
- Radiologic Technology – Associate
- Surgical Technology – Associate
Contact Information
- Address: 1756 North Congress Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33409
- Phone: (561) 433-2330
- Website: https://www.sec.edu
4Florida Career College
About the School
Florida Career College is offering vocational programs that prepare students for new careers.
The school’s programs are 10-months long and are available in a hybrid format.
Students are required to attend online and on-campus classes.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Tuition is between $13,500-$35,000, depending on the program.
Students also have the chance to gain real-world clinical experience through externships.
Florida Campuses of Florida Career College are provisionally licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education.
General admission requirements include having a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Applicants to the Patient Care Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Information Technology, and Health Services Administration need a standard high school diploma or GED certificate.
Those interested can apply online or by calling or writing the college.
Prospective students have to conduct an initial interview with an admission representative.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available in West Palm Beach:
- Automotive Technician
- Business Office Administration
- Computer and Network Technician
- Dental Assistant
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
- Information Technology
- Medical Assistant Technician
- Medical Front Office and Billing
- Patient Care Technician
Contact Information
- Address: 6058 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33417
- Phone: (561) 408-9910
- Website: https://www.floridacareercollege.edu
5Chuck Shaw Technical Career Center
About the School
Chuck Shaw Technical Career Center is offering career training programs for adult students.
The programs are available in daytime and evening schedules to accommodate students’ needs.
The Home Health Aide and Phlebotomy courses have the following prerequisites:
- Level of English equivalent to level 5, 6, or 7 of ESOL.
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required for graduation
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the center:
- EKG Technician- a program that can be completed in approximately six months.
- Home Health Aide- a 75-hour program
- Phlebotomist- a 75-hour program
- Basic Healthcare Worker- a 90-hour program
The Phlebotomy program teaches students how to properly track patients and use phlebotomy methods such as venipuncture and skin puncture.
Students enrolled in this program also learn about labeling samples, information logging, safety, and regulations.
The Home Health Aide program teaches patient management in the home, nutrition, legal and ethical responsibilities, as well as physical comfort and safety.
A Combination class that includes Basic Healthcare Worker, Home Health Aide, and English for Speakers of Other Languages Classes (ESOL) is also available.
Contact Information
- Address: 4260 Westgate Avenue, West Palm Beach FL 33409
- Phone: 561-616-7800
- Website: https://aec.palmbeachschools.org
6Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers
About the School
Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers offers training for those who want to start a career in the beauty industry.
Total costs vary depending on the program.
The Nail Technology program costs $2,865 while the cosmetology program costs approximately $20,707.
Total costs include tuition, registration fee, uniform, kit, books, lab fee, licensure fee, and student ID.
Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available:
- Barber- 900-hour program that can be completed in seven months
- Cosmetology- a program that can be completed in nine months and includes 1,200 hours of training
- Electrology- a 320-hour program that teaches students how to remove unwanted hair from the face and body through the use of electrolysis
- Full Specialist- a six-month program that covers 600 hours of training
- Massage Therapy- a 240-hour program that can be completed in two months
- Skin Care- a 600-hour program that covers electrology and skincare and can be completed in six months
- Skin Care and Massage Therapy- a 900-hour program that can be completed in seven months
Contact Information
- Address: 7587 South Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33405
- Phone: 561-547-6333
- Website: https://www.hi.edu/west-palm-beach-fl
7QM Career Institute
About the School
QM Career Institute offers programs that prepare students for careers in healthcare and the beauty industry.
To qualify for admission, students must:
- Be at least 17 years of age
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent or have passed the Wonderlic Ability to Benefit Exam
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the school:
- Medical Assistant- a program that covers topics regarding reception, records management, insurance billing, preparing patients for physical examinations and minor surgeries, phlebotomy, and more
- Patient Care Technician- a program that includes all relevant aspects of patient care, including physical comfort, diagnostic testing, home health care needs, post-operative care, and more
- Phlebotomy Technician- a course that trains students to perform duties regarding blood draw and storing
- Electrocardiograph Aide- a program that covers the cardiovascular system and its functions, pathology of diseases, law, and ethics, among other topics.
- Home Health Aide- the program includes 35 hours of practice where students perform procedures associated with bedside client care
- Cosmetology- a program that covers skills such as shampooing, hair styling, hair coloring, hair relaxing, and more
- Spa Massage Therapy Specialist- a 900-hour program that combines theory, practices, and clinical practicum.
Contact Information
- Address: 4645 Gun Club Rd Suite 23, West Palm Beach, FL 33415
- Phone: (561) 305-2635
- Website: http://www.qmcinstitute.com
8Medworld Academy School of Nursing
About the School
The Nursing School of Medworld Academy offers an Associate Degree program in Nursing.
The program is approved by the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Board of Nursing.
Students can earn an associate’s degree in as few as 16 months.
Graduates are ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and become Registered Nurses.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by registered nurses in 2021 was $75,330 with salaries ranging from less than $55,000 to more than $116,000.
Employment for registered nurses is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030.
Those who want to study nursing at Medworld Academy School of Nursing can apply online, by visiting the school’s website.
According to the school’s website, the instruction is learner-centered and offered in a collaborative and supportive environment that prepares nurses who will practice their profession with compassion, integrity, care, and sensitivity.
Courses Offered
The program covers coursework such as:
- College Algebra
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Fundamental of Nursing
- OB/Maternity/Newborn
- Mental Health
- Pharmacology
- Leadership Management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2240 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd suite 250 # West, Palm Beach, Florida 33409
- Phone: 561-365-4544
- Website: http://medworldnursing.com
9Burnett International College
About the School
Burnett International College offers a variety of academic programs for transfer students and those with no previous nursing education.
Tuition is between less than $10,000 and more than $35,000, depending on the program and the credential it leads to.
Burnett International College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Admission is open to students with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the college:
- Medical Assisting- a 90-week program that prepares students to work as medical assistants in doctors’ offices, clinics, or hospitals
- Pharmacy Management- this program teaches students how to identify and understand drug nomenclature, dosage forms, abbreviations used in pharmacy, and more
- Physical Therapy Assistant- a curriculum that covers topics such as physical therapy assisting, disabilities and therapeutic procedures, wellness, and geriatric rehabilitation procedures.
- Pharmacy Technician- a 10-month program that includes medical terminology, pharmaceutical compounding, IV preparation, sterile techniques, receiving and checking supplies, and more
- Patient Care Technician- this 36-week program trains students in nursing assisting, home health aide, allied health assistant, phlebotomy, and EKG.
Contact Information
- Address: 2601 S Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33415
- Phone: 561.736.3998
- Website: https://www.burnett.edu
10ABC Bartending Schools & Staffing
About the School
ABC Bartending Schools & Staffing is offering bartending training programs for students who are 18 years of age or older.
The school’s owner, Tony Sylvester, has owned bartending schools since 1977.
ABC Bartending Schools train and place thousands of students nationwide each year.
Students learn in facilities that have operational bars with blenders, soda guns, sinks glassware, speed racks, ice bins, and bottles.
The school offers several schedules to accommodate students’ needs: two weeks morning, two weeks afternoon, two weeks evening, one week accelerated, and four Saturdays.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers the following topics:
- Equipment and Bar Set-Up
- Techniques of Speed
- Mixology
- Liquors
- Garnishes and Fruit Cutting
- Profit Pouring- students learn how to sell and enhance bar sales and tips
- Wines- this part covers the distinction between wines
- Beer- a class that teaches students how to pour draft beer
- Customer Service
- Alcohol Awareness
- Flair Training
- Health and Safety/ Legal Responsibilities- this part also offers certification
- Cash Register Procedures and Cash Handling
- Resumes and Interviewing
Contact Information
- Address: West Palm Beach, Florida, 1711 Worthington Road
- Phone: (561) 686-9021
- Website: https://www.abcbartending.com
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 | 12,420 | $66,140 | $31.8 | $93,750 | $40,240 |
Medical Records Specialists | 4,270 | $50,160 | $24.12 | $77,440 | $31,030 |
Nursing Assistants | 22,940 | $37,300 | $17.93 | $43,770 | $30,570 |
Dental Assistants | 8,830 | $45,670 | $21.96 | $57,290 | $37,440 |
Medical Assistants | 15,190 | $41,830 | $20.11 | $48,290 | $35,160 |
Phlebotomists | 2,300 | $40,780 | $19.61 | $46,170 | $34,840 |
Electricians | 12,400 | $55,030 | $26.46 | $71,360 | $38,990 |
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 5,990 | $55,640 | $26.75 | $70,940 | $39,010 |
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 11,960 | $51,810 | $24.91 | $78,450 | $29,830 |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 9,540 | $55,640 | $26.75 | $76,840 | $35,760 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list is time to continue your research and gather all the information you need before deciding where to apply.
Make sure the school you choose is a trustworthy, accredited institution and offers a curriculum and schedule that matches your needs and professional aspirations.
Take your time and choose wisely!