Registered Trade Schools

Independent · public data

Find a real path into the trades.

Built for students starting out (and the parents and counselors helping them). Browse registered apprenticeship sponsors and trade school programs from public data — no fake ratings, no sales pitch.

Who are you?

Pick the lane that fits — then dig into the directory. Same honest data either way.

Students

I want a paid path into a trade

Start with registered apprenticeships (job + training) or compare trade school vs apprenticeship — then search your state above.

Students

I want a trade school program

Browse 2,826 schools with certificate or associate programs in trade-related fields from College Scorecard.

Parents

I’m helping my kid decide

A straight parent guide for adults whose child (often 18–25) is weighing trade school or an apprenticeship.

Counselors

I need handouts for students & parents

Free printables, a send-home sheet, and link assets. Share-ready — not a national CTE catalog.

Popular trades

Quick jumps — full directories live under apprenticeships and schools.

How this site works

  1. Public data, dated

    Apprenticeship sponsors from the DOL partner file; schools from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Each page shows when we retrieved the data.

  2. Check the official source

    Explore here, then confirm on apprenticeship.gov, the school, or CareerOneStop before you apply or enroll.

  3. No “best schools” list

    We do not invent ratings or outcome numbers. Schools and sponsors can’t pay for a better rating or placement, or to change directory data or listing order.

Guides that stay honest

How to find a registered apprenticeship

Practical steps from search to verifying a sponsor.

Trade school vs apprenticeship

Cost, time, and pay — side by side, without the hype.

Helping your kid choose a trade

For parents whose adult child is weighing options.

Sister directories: Verified CDL Schools (FMCSA CDL) · Veteran Trade Schools (VA-approved trades).