Poinciana High School

Interested in pursuing a technical or trade career?

There are hundreds of amazing, well-paying careers that do not require a 4-year degree. You can earn a well-paying job through shorter-term education programs designed to prepare you for a trade or technical field. Programs can range anywhere from 6 weeks to 2 years, depending on the field.

Popular technical and trade careers include automotive/diesel mechanic, practical nursing (LPN), welding, veterinary technician, medical assisting, plumbing, and electrician! But, the list doesn't stop there. There are many more incredible careers to explore!

Choosing the right technical/trade school for you comes down to the following questions...
1. Does the school have the program you are interested in?
2. If the career you wish to prepare for has a required certification exam, what does the pass rate look like?
3. How much does the program cost?
  1. Does the school take FAFSA? And if not, what types of scholarships and financial aid are available to help cover the costs?
  2. Will you make enough money in the field to pay back any loans you take?
4. When is the program you are interested in offered? What does the class schedule look like?
5. How many graduates are hired in their fields after completing the program?
6. What does the future of that particular career look like? Is the industry growing, shrinking, or staying the same?
7. If you are hoping to transfer to a 4-year university after completing your 2-year degree - what does support look like to help make sure you are ready to transfer successfully?
8. Are there prerequisite classes you need to take before officially starting your program?
  1. Example - if interested in nursing, are there classes you need to take before you can actually apply for/start the nursing program?
Valencia College website, Valencia Accelerated Skills Training (AST), and Osceola Technical College website are great places to start when considering an education at a 2-year or trade/technical school! Meet with your College and Career Counselor to learn more.
Students apply to 2-year colleges, technical, and trade schools between August and January of their senior year. Students also need to complete FAFSA their senior year.