Trade SchoolsThis page is designed for Burlington residents who would like to start a rewarding career but can’t afford to spend four years in higher education.
Here we will compile information about the top trade school in the region and the programs they offer.
Most trade school programs can be completed in less than two years and focus only on the skills that are directly relevant to the student’s future careers.
Vocational programs can prepare students for a wide range of rewarding careers, including medical assisting, welding, transportation, carpentry, and more.
1Vermont Commons School
About the School
Vermont Commons School offers small classes and an individualized curriculum to engage students in multi-disciplinary academic programs, and more.
The comprehensive fee for the 2022-2023 school year is $25,150 for 6th-8th graders and $28,950 for 9th-12th graders.
Vermont Commons School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The following Diploma Certificate of Concentration Programs are available at the school:
- Fine Arts Certificate- a program that recognizes students who articulate and demonstrate a strong understanding of visual, linguistic, and creative vocabulary in the arts
- Naturalist Certificate- a program that provides recognition and an incentive to Vermont Commons School students committed to the environment who want to take their interest in Ecology out of the classroom and laboratory
- Global Citizen Certificate- a program that closely follows traditional doctoral dissertation research models
Contact Information
- Address: 75 Green Mountain Drive, South Burlington, Vermont, 05403
- Phone: 802-865-8084
- Website: https://vermontcommons.org
2Community College of Vermont
About the School
The Community College of Vermont offers a variety of degrees, certificates, and other programs.
In-state tuition at the college is $280 per credit.
Students prepare for careers in medical assisting, medical billing and coding, nursing, and many other in-demand careers.
The college provides certificates that prepare students with the skills needed when fulfilling both administrative and clinical roles in a clinic or another medical setting.
The certificates can also be applied toward an associate degree and further studies in the healthcare field.
The Community College of Vermont is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Courses Offered
Programs are available in a variety of industries, including business, healthcare, human services, information technology, manufacturing, and more.
The college’s catalog includes courses and credentials on topics such as:
- Certified Production Technician
- Green Production
- Quality Practices and Measurement
- Allied Health Preparation
- Clinical Medical Assisting
- Community Health
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Pharmacy Technician
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 489, Montpelier, VT 05601
- Phone: 800-228-6686
- Website: https://ccv.edu
3National Personal Training Institute
About the School
National Personal Training Institute provides a diploma program for students who want to start a career as personal trainers.
Hands-on and virtual classes are available at the institute.
Courses Offered
The following diploma options are available at the school:
- 1,500-Hour Hybrid Personal Training Diploma Course
- 2,500-Hour Virtual Personal Training Diploma Course
The 1,500-hour program curriculum consists of 300 hours of theory and allows students to apply the theory at a local NationalPTI gym where they complete 200 hours of practical experience.
The theory parts cover, among other topics, Anatomy & Physiology, Posture/Movement Analysis, Nutrition, Business Practices, and Program Design.
The 2,500-hour program asks that students go over the practice part of the training in each class session after the lecture.
Classes start every six weeks.
Six-month and 12-month programs are available with day, evening, and weekend schedules.
Students receive a State Licensed Personal Training Diploma that does not expire, a Nutrition Certificate, and lifetime job placement assistance.
After successfully completing the program, students receive a NASM CPT and NASM ACD (an Academic Hands-on Certificate of Distinction).
Contact Information
- Address: 128 Lakeside Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: 800-960-6294
- Website: https://nationalpti.org/school/burlington-vt
4Advanced Welding Institute
About the School
Advanced Welding Institute offers accelerated hands-on welding education.
The institute provides accelerated welding programs and hands-on training.
The student-to-teacher ratio is kept low so each student has access to personalized instruction and one-on-one time with the instructor.
Students learn in a modern training facility.
Classes begin on a monthly basis.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available:
- Structural Welding- a 15-week program
- Structural & Pipe Welding- a 24-week program
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding- a 40-hour program
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding- a 40-hour program
- Flux Core Arc Welding- a 40-hour program
- Gas Metal Arc Welding- a 40-hour program
The courses which are 40 hours long cost $1,500
The Structural and Pipe Welding program costs $26,500 for Vermont students.
This includes tuition and materials (workbook series, metal, testing, and certifications).
The Structural Welding program costs $21,300 in Vermont.
The following Certifications are also offered:
- American Welding Society
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- American Petroleum Institute
Contact Information
- Address: 2 Green Tree Drive Unit 3, South Burlington, Vermont 05403
- Phone: (802) 660-0600
- Website: https://awi.edu
5Center for Technology, Essex
About the School
Center for Technology, Essex offers programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of in-demand industries.
High school students have the opportunity to take additional college classes through CCV and earn college credits while completing their secondary education.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the Center for Technology: Automotive Technology, Building Systems, Computer Systems Technology, Cosmetology, Dental Assisting, Engineering & Architectural Design, Health Professions, Natural Resources, and more.
Students also have access to Certifications, depending on the program they choose.
Dental Assisting students have access to the following certifications:
- CPR/AED and Bloodborne Pathogens Certifications
- Dental Radiology Certification
Cosmetology students may earn the following credentials:
- First Aid/CPR
- Barbicide Professional Beauty Industry Training Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 2 Educational Drive, Suite 200, Essex Junction, VT 05452
- Phone: 802-879-5558
- Website: https://www.ewsd.org
6National Wine School
About the School
The National Wine School offers professional certifications for wine schools, universities, and trade schools.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the school:
Wine Courses for State-Accredited Schools- programs that can be used at vocational schools across the United States.
The programs are designed to be implemented by public and private schools.
This can be done as part of an existing course or as the foundation of a new certification program.
Sommelier Courses for Wine Schools and nationally certified sommelier programs are offered.
Online certification and NWS accreditation are available for in-person classes.
The following Sommelier courses are available:
- Level 1 Sommelier- a $300 course
- Level 2 Sommelier- a $500 course
- Level 3 Sommelier- a course that costs $550
Contact Information
- Address: 145 Pine Haven Shores Suite 1000-B, Shelburne, VT 05482
- Phone: 802-540-9172
- Website: https://www.wineschool.us
7Champlain College
About the School
Champlain College offers career-focused undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations that prepare students for careers in some of today’s top fields.
Online programs that give students the opportunity to study wherever and whenever they have the time are also available.
The college holds regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Undergraduate tuition for the Fall ’22 – Summer ’23 is $328 per credit.
Courses Offered
Programs are available in the following fields:
- Business
- Communication & Creative Media
- Education & Human Studies
- Information Technology & Sciences
The college also offers the following associate degrees online:
- Accounting
- Business Management
- Software Development
- Web Design & Development
The following undergraduate certificates are also available:
- Advanced Cybersecurity
- Blockchain
- C++ Programming
- Data Science
- Healthcare Administration
- Human Resource Management
- Information Technology Fundamentals
- Project Management
- Web Design
- Web Programming
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 163 S Willard St, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: (802) 860-2700
- Website: https://www.champlain.edu
8Vermont Tech
About the School
Vermont Tech provides a variety of academic pathways that lead to certificates, diplomas, or degrees.
Tuition for full-time enrollment of 12-19 credits per semester is $14,712 for Vermont residents for the 2022-2023 school year.
This rate applies to all undergraduate programs, except Dental Hygiene, International, Nursing, Online, Paramedicine, and Radiologic Science.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Courses Offered
The college offers training programs through the following schools:
- School of Agriculture, Plant, and Animal Sciences
- Engineering and Computing
- Nursing and Health Professions
- Professional Studies and Management
- Continuing Education & Workforce Development
A variety of majors are available, including:
- Advanced Software Development
- Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship
- Applied Business Management
- Architectural Engineering Technology
- Automotive Technology
- Aviation Maintenance Technology
- Diesel Power Technology
- Electrical Engineering Technology
- Electromechanical Engineering Technology
- Forestry
- Manufacturing Engineering Technology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 500, 124 Admin Drive, Randolph Center, VT 05061
- Phone: (800) 442-8821
- Website: https://www.vtc.edu
9Dual Divinity School of Massage
About the School
Dual Divinity School of Massage offers massage courses for more than eight years.
Located in South Burlington, the school provides a program that includes 500 hours of a flexible curriculum designed to allow students to balance their studies with work and family life.
Each semester costs $3,000.
To be a licensed massage therapist in the State of Vermont, students must complete three full semesters of study.
Those who complete the Dual Divinity School of Massage, LLC 500-hour curriculum are certified massage therapists in the state of Vermont and are qualified to apply for a state license from the VT Secretary of State Requirements to receive their license.
The application process starts with a personal interview with the owner and instructor.
Courses Offered
The Massage Therapy curriculum at Dual Divinity School of Massage covers classes on:
- Massage Techniques
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology
- Aromatherapy
- Code of Ethics and Professionalism
- Medical Documentation and Intake Forms
- And more
Among many other topics, students learn about basic, hot stone, table Thai, pregnancy, infant, chair, and canine massage techniques.
They also study Shiatsu, Meridians, and an acupuncture demo as part of the Eastern Healing Modalities class.
Contact Information
- Address: 368 Dorset St, South Burlington, VT
- Phone: 802-989-0111
- Website: https://www.dualdivinity.com
10International Center for Captive Insurance Education
About the School
International Center for Captive Insurance Education prepares captive insurance professionals.
Their courses are offered online via instructor-led webinars and chat board interaction at the convenience of the student’s schedule.
Courses Offered
The following programs of study are available:
- Associate in Captives Designation- a program that covers topics such as:
- Accounting for Captives
- Captive Board Governance
- Healthcare Captives Overview
- Risk Retention Groups
- Risk Management Principles and Practices
- Risk Financing
- Commercial Property Risk Management Insurance
- And more
- Certificate of Captive Insurance- a program that allows students to commit to an intermediate level of expertise in the captive industry; the program also allows for specialization in captive knowledge
- ICCIE Modular Students
- ICCIE Fellow Program
Tuition costs vary depending on the program.
Tuition for the Certificate of Captive Insurance is $2,600- payable upon enrollment.
Contact Information
- Address: 145 Pine Haven Shores, Suite 1137, Shelburne, VT 05482
- Phone: 866-604-2243
- Website: https://iccie.org
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 | 270 | $63,210 | $30.39 | $77,210 | $47,620 |
| Medical Records Specialists | 130 | $49,510 | $23.8 | $61,290 | $39,230 |
| Nursing Assistants | 1,100 | $43,140 | $20.74 | $47,880 | $37,680 |
| Dental Assistants | 240 | $56,840 | $27.33 | $70,040 | $47,480 |
| Medical Assistants | 680 | $44,310 | $21.3 | $50,640 | $39,240 |
| Phlebotomists | 90 | $39,690 | $19.08 | $46,400 | $37,010 |
| Electricians | 510 | $58,190 | $27.98 | $76,590 | $38,850 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 520 | $61,570 | $29.6 | $81,410 | $47,210 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 610 | $50,170 | $24.12 | $69,020 | $35,830 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 430 | $61,390 | $29.51 | $82,120 | $41,710 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of top trade schools in Burlington, Vermont, the next step is the decide what path you want to pursue and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
This is an important decision, so take your time and complete your own research.
Trade Schools by City in Vermont
