If you want to start a rewarding career without spending four years in higher education, a trade school can be a viable alternative.
Programs prepare students for a variety of in-demand careers in allied health, skilled trades, cosmetology, and other fields.
Classes are available on-campus and online to fit different students’ schedules.
To help you choose the program that best fits your schedule, budget, and career aspirations, on this page, we have compiled information about the best trade schools available for Allentown students.
Our list includes schools that can prepare you for careers in a range of in-demand occupations, including:
- Aircraft Technology
- Welding
- Cosmetology
- Medical Assisting
- Web Design
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
- And more
Most programs focus on hands-on training and are designed to prepare students for employment after only a few months of post-secondary training.
1Lincoln Tech
About the School
Lincoln Tech has trained students throughout the Lehigh Valley since 1949 at its Allentown campus.
The school has specialized training labs and classrooms, equipped to meet the needs of students on the path to careers in electrical, healthcare, and information technology industries.
Courses Offered
The following training programs are available at the school:
- Computer Systems Support Technician
- Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology
- Medical Assistant
- Practical Nursing
The campus has the following features:
- Information Technology training rooms
- Medical training labs and simulation manikins
Tutoring services are available as needed.
Contact Information
- Address: 5151 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104
- Phone: (610) 398-5300
- Website: https://www.lincolntech.edu
2Cedar Crest College
Cedar Crest College offers more than 40 degree programs that lead to certificates or degrees.
The 84-acre campus includes a nationally-registered arboretum with more than 130 species of trees.
The college has a history of more than 150 years and was originally founded as Allentown Female College.
It offers flexible pathways to achieving bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates in high-demand fields for both men and women.
Courses Offered
The college offers programs such as:
- Business: Healthcare Management
- Business, Human Resource Management
- Nursing: School Nurse
- Optometry
- Web Design
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 100 College Drive, Allentown, PA 18104
- Phone: 800-360-1222
- Website: https://www3.cedarcrest.edu
3AW Driving School
About the School
AW Driving School offers fully one-on-one training that provides students with personalized instruction from a skilled instructor throughout the entire training program.
The 100-hour program includes:
- 40-hours ELDT online/classroom theory
- 60 hours of Class A one-on-one training
- CDL exam offered at the school’s testing center
- Certificate of Completion
This program costs $6,500 and covers:
- Administration fees, student fees, and online fees
- DOT physical and drug screen
- AWTS CDL A Course
A 20-hour E Restriction Removal program that focuses on behind-the-wheel manual training is also available for $2,400.
Contact Information
- Address: 555 Union Blvd Allentown PA 18109
- Phone: 610-508-3011
- Website: https://www.awdrivingschool.com
4Eastern Atlantic States- Carpenters Technical Centers
About the School
Eastern Atlantic States- Carpenters Technical Centers gives students the opportunity to choose from various trades at seven convenient locations across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
The Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers are accredited by the Commission of Council on Occupational Education.
Courses Offered
The following trade programs are available:
- Carpenter- students prepare for work in diverse settings, constructing structures of all sizes and complexities
- Floor Layers- trainees learn how to install various types of flooring materials
- Pile Drivers- trainees specialize in various construction tasks
- Upholsters- the program prepares skilled craftsmen with the ability to use industrial sewing machines, hand tools, and other power tools
- Locksmith- students learn about the locks of today
- Casino In-House- entry-level concepts and principles of proper door & hardware installation
- Millwright- prepares skilled craftsmen to install, maintain, repair, and diagnose complex machinery
- Mill/Cabinet- teaches students how to bring architectural designs to reality by crafting and installing a wide range of woodwork, cabinetry, furniture, and decor.
Contact Information
- Address: 10401 Decatur Rd. Philadelphia, PA 19154
- Phone: 215-824-2300
- Website: https://www.eascarpenterstech.edu
5The Beauty Institute
About the School
The Beauty Institute is a cosmetology school in Allentown that serves the area of Lehigh Valley.
The institute offers education in the following fields:
- Cosmetology
- MakeUp Designory Course
- Men’s Grooming and Barber Workshops
- Make-up Workshops
Students prepare for the state licensing exam and their future careers.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Cosmetology Program
- Make Up Workshop
- Barbering Workshop
- Make Up Course
- Esthetics/Skincare Program
- Nail Technician Program
- Cosmetology Teacher Program
Contact Information
- Address: 153 Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall, Pennsylvania 18052
- Phone: 610-437-4626
- Website: https://allentown.thebeautyinstituteskp.edu
6Welder Training & Testing Institute
Welder Training & Testing Institute has been supporting the welding industry’s demand for Training, Certification, and Inspection, since 1968.
Courses Offered
The 900-hour Welder Fitter program is a primary career-level program specifically designed for incoming students who have little or no welding experience.
The program is eligible for financial aid to students who qualify.
The following advanced-level welding programs are also available for individuals who have prior knowledge of welding processes:
- Standard Welding- 180 hours
- Advanced Welder Qualification- Pipe- 120 hours
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding- 60 hours
- Gas Metal Arc Welding- GMAW and MIG- 60 hours
- Flux Cored Arc Welding- FCAW- 60 hours
Contact Information
- Address: 729 E. Highland Street, Allentown, PA 18109
- Phone: 610-437-9720
- Website: https://www.wtti.edu
7McCann School of Business & Technology
About the School
McCann School of Business & Technology is an affordable and flexible vocational education institution in Allentown.
The school is located about an hour outside of Philadelphia in eastern Pennsylvania.
Students have access to career readiness education at a more affordable rate than a four-year program.
McCann School of Business & Technology provides affordable, flexible education that allows students to apply for positions in their career field in as little as 18 to 24 months.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Medical Clinical Assistant
- Medical Billing & Coding
- CDL Training: Class A Tractor Trailer
- IT Support Specialist
- HVAC and Basic Refrigeration
Contact Information
- Address: 2200 N Irving St, Allentown, PA 18109
- Phone: 866-865-8065
- Website: https://www.mccann.edu
8Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School
About the School
Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School is an educational partnership with the Bethlehem Area, Northampton Area, and Saucon Valley school districts.
The school provides technical instruction in twenty-six unique programs of study.
Courses Offered
The curriculum has three levels:
- The Core Curriculum Program
- Continuation in Student-Selected Major
- Mastery of Program Major
The following training paths are available at the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School:
- Carpentry
- Electrical Construction
- Masonry
- Plumbing
- Computer Networking
- Esthetics
- Automotive Collission Repair
- Commercial Baking
- Electronics Technology
- Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3300 Chester Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18020
- Phone: 610-866-8013
- Website: https://www.bethlehemavts.org
9CDE Career Institute
About the School
CDE Career Institute is a vocational school located near Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The institute offers programs for students who want to start a career in the medical field.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Medical Billing Specialist
- Medical Transcriptionist/Insurance Billing Specialist
- Medical Office Assistant
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Accounting Fundamentals
Duration and requirements vary depending on the program.
Medical Transcriptionist/Insurance Billing Specialist program students must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 to graduate from the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 157-183 Main St, Paterson, NJ 07505
- Phone: (800) 676-1589
- Website: https://cde.edu
10YTI Career Institute
About the School
YTI Career Institute offers a variety of training programs at its campuses in Altoona, Lancaster, and York.
The Lancaster campus opened in 2003 and has graduated 5,429 students.
The institute offers programs in Business, Computer, Culinary Arts, Healthcare, and Trades fields.
Courses Offered
The following career training programs are available at the institute:
- Computer-Aided Drafting and Design
- Computer and Data Management
- Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management
- Cybersecurity
- Dental Assisting
- Medical Assistant
- Electrical Technology
- Health Information Management
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Pastry Arts
- Respiratory Therapy
- Veterinary Technician
- And more
The institute has memberships and affiliations with institutions such as:
- Accrediting Commission of Schools & Colleges
- American Academy for Professional Coders
- American Culinary Federation
- Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 380 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
- Phone: (717) 295-1100
- Website: https://yti.edu
Final Thoughts
If you’re a high school graduate or an adult who wants to start a new career without spending many years in post-secondary education, the trade schools included in our list can help you become career-ready in only a few months.
Now that you have read our selection of the best trade schools in Allentown, the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your career aspirations.